 |
Brewpubs in NZKiwis like their beer, some of the popular brands are Tui, Speights (particularly in the South Island) and Export Gold. Lion (owned by Japanese company Kirin) and DB (owned by Asia Pacific Breweries based in Singapore) are the two big breweries in the country. Competing for a pint of the action are at least 50 micro breweries. Our list concentrates mainly on brewpubs that sell their own brews, it's a work in progress, if there's a brewpub we haven't listed feel free to contact us. By drinking at brewpubs or buying direct from micro breweries you are not only able to sample some unique brews but the breweries and brewpubs are benefiting directly as they can recoup more profit than they can when competing with the two brewery giants to supply supermarkets, liquor stores etc.
Cheers - buy the designated driver some non alcoholic ginger beer and taste what boutique brewers have to offer. PS: This information is intended for those aged 18 and over, 18 is the legal age to purchase alcohol in New Zealand. What's New? Auckland - Brothers Beer opens, The Brewery Britomart closed 28/2/2013, Arrow Brewing relocates to Invercargill; McCashin's Brewery, Nelson; Moa Brewing Co, Blenheim; The Sprig & Fern, Wellington; Fork & Brewer, Wellington; Hopscotch Beer Company, Auckland; Wassail Brauhaus, Taranaki; Brew Moon, Amberley;
North Island Whangarei Brauhaus Frings Brew Bar, 104 Lower Dent Street http://frings.co.nz Brauhaus Frings is a laid back locals bar with an outdoor area. Tap beers include a lager, draught and old ale, a seasonal beer is also often available. Beer is cheap - $6 a handle or $5 a glass, beer can also be bought by the metre (10 pints) for $40. Food served includes platters (from $25), steak meals and fish dishes from $12. You can take home two litre flagons of your preferred beer and you might like to check out the comic brewed on the premises - "10,000 Years Of Beer - A Cartoon History of Brewing". Brauhaus Frings is open 7 days from 10am, closed public holidays.
Leigh Leigh Sawmill Cafe, Micro Brewery and Accommodation, 142 Pakiri Road www.sawmillcafe.co.nz Leigh Sawmill has the ingredients for a night out - entertainment (visit the website for the gig guide), wood fired pizza, brews like Blade Pilsner and Leigh Pale Ale, and you can also book a bed for the night. The first beer was brewed onsite in 2004 and a tasting tray of 5 glasses is $12. We ordered pizza ($25) to go with the tasting tray, followed by a chocolate delights dessert ($12). In our opinion the food is a bit over priced; service at the bar was non existent for us and a few others when we wanted to pay.
The cafe gets its name from the former sawing operation that was onsite from the 1930's. In 1994 the Guinness family bought the property and two years later the cafe opened, there are plenty of exposed wooden beams, chunky wooden tables and saw mill relics around that reflect the sites previous occupation. There's outdoor seating, a play area for children, and you can "fill your own" at the cellar door. Hours vary depending on the season, note on big gig nights they're closed from 4-6pm for sound checks.
Auckland Galbraith's Alehouse, 2 Mount Eden Road, Eden Terrace www.alehouse.co.nz Galbraith's Alehouse is in a character building that was once Grafton Public Library. Beer is brewed onsite and you can watch brewers at work from a viewing area. Galbraith's is known as one of the best places in the country to drink craft beer and they "can trace the origin of every pint".
They brew up Resurrection Trappist-Style ale made in the style of the Trappist monks who brewed the ale in the Abbeys of Belgium. They also produce Bitter and Twisted made for "supping not quaffing". Meals like braised beef cheeks, beef wellington and bangers and mash are served. Tasting tray - 4 glasses, $16. Open Mon-Sat, noon to 11pm and Sunday noon to 10pm.
Sale St, 7 Sale Street, Freemans Bay www.sale-st.co.nz Being the unhip Aucklanders that we are we hadn't been to Sale St for a while (is hip still the word to use, and if so, is Sale St still hip?) We don't know, but taps from 1010 Brewing are now on the bar serving chilli lager, auck-indian pale ale and jafa lager ("the alcoholic love child of an over eager orange and an under prepared block of chocolate"). It's always a pleasure to get great service and we were offered a tasting of the three craft beers. We chose chilli and jafa, both were good beer matches for us and we teamed them with stir fried soba noodles ($22) and braised lamb shoulder ($28).
You can dine in the bar or outside in the well kept garden area. The actual bar is brightly lit but it's low light everywhere else. The interior was designed with a sense of humour - there's an area marked "No Bitchin or Back Stabbing" and maybe a nod to Right Said Fred in the ladies loo, the light fittings are unusual but appropriate. We dined on Retro Wednesday when 80's tunes were the theme, see the website for weekly events. Your other dining option at Sale St is Sale St Bistro (formerly Cru), open Tuesday - Saturday from 6pm.
Deep Creek Brewing Co., 111 Clyde Road, Browns Bay www.dcbrewing.co.nz Deep Creek Brewing Co. opened in August 2011, beer brewed onsite includes Little Armoured One, The Dusty Gringo and Pontoon in a Monsoon. Zeffer cider brewed up the road in Matakana is on tap and that was our choice along with one of Deep Creek's best selling brews - 309 (NZ Pale Ale). A tasting paddle (6 x 200ml glasses) is $22 (it may include the Basilica - vanilla chocolate porter, $24 for a 750ml bottle). Tasting platters and meals like Jack Daniels BBQ ribs and Surf and Turf are on the menu, there's also a menu for the kids.
We're not frequent visitors to Browns Bay so a nice surprise for us was walking to the back of the bar and finding an outdoor area facing the beach, and a skate park (could occupy the kids if they're that way inclined). The interior is spacious, there's a brewing mural along one wall, and large shiny brewing tanks behind the bar. Guys will find something interesting in the men's room. If you're a keen home brewer enquire about the Home Brew Club. Open Tuesday - Sunday, 11am - midnight. (No surcharge on public holidays).
Hallertau Brewbar & Restaurant, 1171 Coatesville Riverhead Highway, Riverhead www.hallertau.co.nz Hallertau is a family run boutique operation in a large, rustic setting. Beer tasting paddles from $12 or sample feijoa, kiwifruit and boysenberry wine (3 for $9) from Pukeko Grove. There's an all day grazing menu as well as lunch and dinner menus, every Wednesday bottomless bowls of mussels and a beer are $20 (see Facebook for current specials and events). Hallertau is a casual and friendly place to call in for a beer or to wine and dine. Open 7 days, 11am to midnight.
Rotorua BREW Craft Beer Pub, 1103 Tutanekai Street (aka Eat Streat) www.brewpub.co.nz BREW is owned and run by The Croucher Brewing Company. Croucher beer is on tap and there are five guest taps that change when the keg's empty so there's a changing range of NZ craft beer to sample. The pub is on "Eat Streat", now a pedestrian only section of Tutanekai Street with lots of outdoor seating, a great initiative by the local Council and eateries.
New Zealand wine is also on the menu at BREW as well as food inspired by traditional English pub fare. We couldn't miss the opportunity to try the beer cheese made with Croucher Pale Ale and served with pita bread and pretzels ($8). We found the cheese an unusual texture, more like hummus but with a strong cheese bite to it, we would order it again and recommend it. Add glasses of Croucher Pilsner and Pale Ale along with wedges ($9), and it was $29 well spent. Visit Facebook to keep up-to-date with the BREW Beer Club.
Pig & Whistle, corner Haupapa and Tutanekai Street www.pigandwhistle.co.nz The Pig & Whistle isn't a micro brewery or brewpub however it does have its own brew - Swine Lager. The building was the local Police Station until 1969, these days it's a popular spot for watching sport on the big screen, listening to live bands and casual dining. Open from 11.30am.
Hastings Rooster's Brew House, 1470 Omahu Road Rooster's Brew House is a small, friendly micro brewery located on the outskirts of Hastings. I've read that most of Rooster's beer is sold onsite and on the day we visited plenty of people were "filling their own" for $10. Our choices from the beverage menu were the Gisborne brewed Harvest cider and Rooster's Haymaker. Other beers in the Rooster's range include Golden Wheat and Draught. There's a small bar inside at Rooster's and a beer garden at the back. Rooster's Brew House is open Monday - Friday, 10am - 7pm and Saturday, 2pm-7pm.
Urenui (Taranaki) mike's Organic Brewery, 487 Main Road North, RD 44 (State Highway 3) www.organicbeer.co.nz Beer has been brewed in Urenui since 1989, the mike's range is certified organic and labelled accordingly. A tasting tray is $12 - select four brews from a range including Strawberry Blonde and Whiskey Porter. Food on the menu includes gourmet pies with salad and chips ($14) and a vegetable stack with chips ($16). There's a large Tasting Room and on sunny days you can sit outside on the verandah. mike's hosts Ockoberfest each year, tickets from $60. Open 7 days, no surcharge on public holidays.
Wellington
Fork & Brewer, 14 Bond Street, CBD www.forkandbrewer.co.nz Fork & Brewer is a spacious upstairs venue with a separate dining area and an outdoor balcony. You can drink your way around the huge barrel of taps behind the bar. A tasting tray of four brews is $12, we made a start drinking our way around the country with Emerson's Bookbinder, Dunedin; Bulmers Cider, Gisborne; Moa Five Hop, Blenheim; and kept it local with Tuatara Hefe.
If you visit on Tuatara Tuesdays a range of Tuatara brews are $5 (425ml glass) between 6pm-8pm (keep up to date on Facebook or Twitter). The beer menu was hit and miss as it was out of date and consequently we missed selecting Fork & Brewer's own brew as it wasn't on the menu. Those more observant than ourselves will see the tap (aptly a fork) on the barrel. Closed Sunday, open from 11.30am other days. New The Sprig & Fern Tavern, 342 Tinakori Road, Thorndon www.sprigandfern.co.nz The Sprig & Fern is smartly decked out in black and white, some history remains in the form of an old coal range with brick surround. A tasting tray will set you back $18 (choose five brews), the trays are marked with your choices so you know what's what. There's a "Buy Your Mate A Beer" board and a Tasman lager is waiting for PM John Key. Board games can keep you occupied any day of the week, Monday is quiz night. Bar snacks are served onsite, Wednesday is curry night courtesy of Indus and Cosa Nostra deliver pizza. Open 7 days, free on street parking. New
South Island Blenheim Moa Brewing Co, Jacksons Road, RD3 www.moabeer.com At Moa Brewing Co you can start your day with a Moa Breakfast Beer - a fruity lager containing cherries. The range of beers and ciders, there's likely to be a couple of extra seasonal or special brews on tap. A tasting is $5, there's tasting notes but no tasting trays, the same glass takes you through the taps. It's the cheapest craft we've had from the $5 tasting to the $6 (and up) glass of tap beer and $4 tap cider.
Moa recently listed on the NZ Stock Exchange and a "big building with some bits and pieces chucked in it" is on the way said founder Josh Scott. This may mean big changes for the little bar, it's currently laid back and casual, a local told us that on a sunny day the outdoor picnic tables are packed with punters. Hungry punters can order a bar snack from the small menu and test their hand/eye co-ordination with a round of croquet. Open 7 days from 11.30am. New
Nelson
The Sprig and Fern Taverns www.sprigandfern.co.nz There are currently five Sprig and Fern Taverns in the Nelson area selling beers, ales and ciders brewed at the brewery at 53 Beach Road, Richmond. Buy direct from the brewery, online or at one of the taverns. We visited The Sprig and Fern, 134 Milton Street - a quality refurbishment has turned a former residential property into a cozy tavern that warmly welcomes locals and visitors.
We sat outside on the deck surrounded by flowering planters with a $15 tasting tray - Fern Lager, Ginger Lager, Blonde, Alcoholic Lemonade, Apple Cider and Ginger beer. Platters are on the menu or you can order takeaways to go with your brews from Milton Street Takeaway next door - fish 'n' chips, burgers and pizza (including dessert pizza). Open from 10am, 7 days.
McCashin's Brewery Bar, 660 Main Road, Stoke, Nelson www.mccashins.co.nz McCashin's Brewery was started in 1981 by Terry McCashin, a man credited with kick starting the craft beer culture in NZ. The Mac's brand was bought by Lion Breweries in 1999 and Lion leased McCashin's brewery. Over time production of Mac's was moved offsite and in 2009 Terry McCashin's son Dean re-opened the brewery to brew Stoke Beer. Other beverages brewed onsite include 26,000 Vodka, Stoke Ginger Beer, Rochdale Ciders and Frute - real fruit ciders.
The bar is decorated in op shop chic style, there's a range of beverages to take away, check out the 2nds specials - incorrectly labelled or over/under filled bottles. Bar snacks on the menu include mussel platters, gourmet pies and toasted sandwiches. The staff are happy to let you sample before you buy or you can get a tasting tray for $10 (5 x 200ml glasses). My pick, and the most popular cider sold is Rochdale lemon and honey. There's an outdoor area, you can check out the bottling line through the window in the bar or book a 35 minute brewery tour, from $10. Open 7 days, happy hour 4pm - 6pm week days. New
Golden Bear Brewing Company, Mapua Wharf http://goldenbearbrewing.com Hot lips, Hanky Panky and Fat Toad are some of the beers brewed by Golden Bear Brewing Company. Food inspired by Mexico and the old American West is served and brewery tours are available by appointment. Unfortunately we didn't have time to stop for longer than a quick look around the picturesque Mapua wharf. Golden Bear is closed Monday and Tuesday; open Wednesday - Friday from 4pm, and 12 noon on weekends.
The Mussel Inn, SH 60, Onekaka (17 kms from Takaka) www.musselinn.co.nz The Mussel Inn is a rustic bar with an outside fire, laid back atmosphere and regular live music performances. Families are welcome, there's no dress code and they're not keen on cell phones in this part of the country. If you want to give up your phone to the cell phone tree they'll nail it up for you. All of the cider, and the beer available at The Mussel Inn and sold on tap in the Nelson region is made onsite (330ml bottles and tap beer supplied outside the Nelson region is brewed in Invercargill). A signature brew is Captain Cooker manuka beer, inspired by the first beer brewed in NZ by Captain Cook in 1773.
We chose the tasting collection of 5 x 200ml samples for $15 - Captain Cooker, Apple Roughy cider, Dark Horse Black Beer, Golden Goose Lager and a seasonal brew - Happy Jackal pumpkin ale. Mussels are on the menu and snacks are served all day, main meals from 6pm-9pm. Open from 11am, 7 days (usually closed for a few weeks around August).
Christchurch
Cassels & Sons - The Brewery, 3 Garlands Road, Woolston www.casselsbrewery.co.nz The Brewery is on the site of the old Woolston Tannery, there's a large outdoor area with both covered and uncovered seating. The interior is a large, airy space and brewing takes place behind the bar. A unique aspect of their brewing process is the use of a wood fired kettle. The brewery also produces cask conditioned ale which is an English style of beer - warmer and not as fizzy. Beer on tap includes Cassel's Pilsner, Dunkel and Lager; a seasonal brew on offer when we visited was the Cassel's Medicinal. Guest beers from a variety of craft breweries are also on tap. Tasting trays from $14.
The Twisted Hop, 616 Ferry Road, Woolston www.thetwistedhop.co.nz The Twisted Hop opened The Woolston Hop in November 2012. Update
Pomeroy's Old Brewery Inn, 292 Kilmore Street www.pomeroysonkilmore.co.nz We like the atmosphere at Pomeroy's - old English pub meets historical Canterbury. Craft beer (including one of their own) is on tap and there are regular beer tasting events. The Pomeroy's Press let's you know what's new and contains beverage information and the menu for Victoria's Kitchen.
On our latest visit in March 2012 we ordered Three Mushroom Risotto ($22.50) and Chicken Rigatoni ($21), good portion sizes, great taste and reasonable prices - no complaints here. (DineOut reviews). Closed Monday. To make a night of it stay next door at Pomeroy's on Kilmore, guests receive a voucher for a beverage of their choice, cheers.
Brew Moon Brewing Company, (30 minutes north of Christchurch and 2 minutes south of Amberley) www.brewmooncafe.co.nz Brew Moon Garden Cafe and Brewery serves a variety of food to go with their on site brewed beers like the Amberley Pale Ale and Dark Side of the Moon Stout. We visited for a mid afternoon snack and ordered pesto, sweet chilli sauce and cream cheese flat bread. We expected it to be served as bread and dips but it was more like a pizza (a tasty pizza at that), and cheap at $9.50. If you'd like to sample the four Brew Moon beers you can buy a tasting tray for $12.
A gift box of three brews is $28 and Brew Moon handles and goblets are sold individually or in sets of four. Brew Moon is a casual and rustic venue with plenty of seating, including a novel recycled car / picnic table. You can watch brewers at work through the viewing window and it's a really friendly and relaxed environment to enjoy a beer or two. Open 7 days from 10am.
Wanaka Wanaka Beerworks, Wanaka Transport Museum, SH6, RD2 www.wanakabeerworks.co.nz Wanaka Beerworks is in the Wanaka Transport Museum and brewery tours are run Monday - Sunday at 2pm, phone 03 443 1865 to book. After the tour sample the award winning beers Brewski, Tall Black, Cardrona Gold and the seasonal brew.
Arrowtown Arrow Brewing Company, 48-50 Buckingham Street, Arrowtown www.arrowbrewing.co.nz Arrow Brewing is no longer open and brewing in Buckingham Street. The brewery has relocated to Invercargill (Otago Daily Times). Invercargill Invercargill Brewery & Bottle Store, 8 Wood Street www.invercargillbrewery.co.nz Invercargill Brewery has been brewing beer and cider since 1999. Honey from the Catlins Forest is blended with hops and malt to make the Wasp (Honey Pilsner). It's suggested that the Pitch Black (Stout) goes well with Bluff Oysters. Brewery tours can be taken by arrangement and the bottle store stocks a range of beer brewed in micro breweries like Tuatara, Croucher and Yeastie Boys. Open Monday - Saturday from 11am.
Food & Drink FestivalsMay (follow the link for a list of nationwide festivals)Bluff Oyster Festival www.bluffoysterfest.co.nz Food Show (Wellington) www.foodshow.co.nz Gamebird Food Festival (May - July, nationwide) www.gamebirdfoodfestival.co.nz April A Taste of Matarangi www.atasteofmatarangi.co.nz New Akaroa Harvest Festival www.akaroa.com Berba Wine Harvest Festival (Kumeu) www.solijans.co.nz Clyde Wine & Food Festival www.promotedunstan.org.nz Eltham Down Hill Cheese Race http://elthamvillage.webs.com Greater Wellington BrewDay (Martinborough) www.wairarapanz.com New Harbour Harvest Festival (Lyttelton) www.lyttelton.net.nz New MarchFest (Nelson) www.marchfest.com Vilagrad Harvest Festival (Waikato) www.vilagradwines.co.nz March Brewers & Liars Festival (Ngongotaha, Rotorua) Facebook New Colours, Arts and Food Festival (Easter weekend in Turangi) www.turangi.org New Gibbston Harvest Festival www.gibbstonharvestfestival.com Heritage Harvest Festival (Riverton) www.sces.org.nz New Hokitika Wild Food Festival www.wildfoods.co.nz Mussel Festival (Havelock) www.havelockmusselfestival.co.nz NZ Beer Festival (Auckland) www.beerfestival.co.nz Waipara Wine & Food Festival www.hanmersprings.co.nz Wairarapa Wines Harvest Festival www.wairarapawines.co.nz Whangarei Fritter Festival Facebook New February Blues, Brews & BBQs (Blenheim) www.bluesbrews.co.nz Devonport Food, Wine & Music Festival (Auckland) www.devonportwinefestival.co.nz Kawhia Kai Festival www.kawhiakaifestival.co.nz Kerikeri's Ocean and Orchard Festival www.oceanandorchardfestival.co.nz Monteith's CheeseFest (Auckland) www.cheeselovers.co.nz Oamaru Wine & Food Festival www.oamaruwineandfoodfest.co.nz (next event 2014) Sarau Blackcurrant Festival (Upper Moutere) www.saraufestival.co.nz Summer Beer Fest (Blenheim) lovemarlborough.co.nz The Great Kiwi Beer Festival (Christchurch) greatkiwibeerfestival.co.nz Marlborough Wine & Food Festival (Blenheim) www.wine-marlborough-festival.co.nz January Auckland Seafood Festival www.aucklandseafoodfestival.co.nz Blues, Brews & BBQs (Hastings) www.bluesbrews.co.nz Brightwater Wine and Food Festival (Nelson) www.bwff.co.nz (possible return 2014) Central Otago Pinot Noir Celebration (Queenstown) www.pinotcelebration.co.nz (next event 2014) Cromwell Cherry Festival (includes Cherry Spitting Competition) www.cromwell.org.nz Great FitzRoy Mussel Fest (Great Barrier Island) www.thebarrier.co.nz Katikati Avocado Food & Wine Festival www.avofest.co.nz South Canterbury Wine & Food Festival (Timaru) www.scwineandfoodfest.co.nz (next event 2014) Twizel Salmon & Wine Festival www.twizel.info Tairua School Wine & Food Festival www.tairuawineandfood.co.nz Trentham Wine & Racing Festival www.trentham.co.nz December/January (follow the link for a list of nationwide general festivals) Kapiti Food Fair www.kapitifoodfair.net New World Wine & Food Festival (Christchurch) www.winefestival.co.nz Waimate Strawberry Fare www.waimatestrawberryfare.co.nz November Kai in the Bay (Napier) www.kaiinthebay.co.nz NZ Olive Festival (Hawkes Bay - next event 2013) www.nzolivefestival.co.nz Savouring the Source Wine & Food Festival (Bay of Islands) www.bayofislandsshow.co.nz Strawberry Festival (Lower Hutt) www.teomanga.org.nz Taste of Auckland www.tasteofauckland.co.nz Thyme Festival (Alexandra) www.thymefestival.co.nz Toast Martinborough www.toastmartinborough.co.nz Waiheke Olive & Artisan Food Festival www.waihekeolivefestival.co.nz October Comments to date: 2. Page 1 of 1.
 go to top |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
