New Zealand has a well established beer industry and many talented brewers.
Explore New Zealand to find some awesome craft beers, micro-breweries, taprooms and pubs. Plan the ultimate beer inspired holiday with our Top 10 beer experiences.
1. Tui Brewery, Mangatainoka
Tasting trays, Manawatū
Producing one of New Zealand's original beers, the Tui brewery in Mangatainoka run brewery tours. After a tasting paddle of Tui pale ale, Mangatainoka Magic and Mangatainoka Dark, Brew 1889, enjoy a meal at the restaurant. You'll find Tui Brewery 45 minutes drive from Palmerston North, on the highway between Hawke's Bay and Wellington.
Five breweries (and a distillery). One venue. Loads of fun! Brewtownis a craft beer village complete with paintball, go-carting, an ice-skating rink, and ten pin bowling. Let someone else do the sober driving and jump onboard aCraft Beer Tour for an epic day fueled by beer, burgers and behind the scenes brewery tours.
The small town of Greymouth, on the West Coast is home to Monteith's Brewery. The Monteith's Brewery experience starts out in the Beertopia Room which houses the interesting, Monteith's Museum. Here you'll get an introduction into the heritage and rich stories of the origins of Monteith's, starting in 1868 right here on the West Coast. You'll then move into the brewery to see, touch, taste (if you're up for it) and smell the New Zealand grown ingredients used to produce the Monteith's range of craft beers. Then cosy up with a beer and some hearty food in front of the fire at the onsite restaurant.
Experience the full brewing process, starting at the malt room, then onto fermentation, bottling and tasting on the Emerson's brewery tour(opens in new window) in Dunedin. After the 45 - 60 minute tour head to the Emerson's taproom to sample pale ales (including the tropical "Orange Roughy"), New Zealand pilsner, English porter and more. Top off the day with shared platters and snacks at the onsite restaurant.
Tucked away in Lyall Bay, Wellington you'll find Parrotdog Brewery. Join the behind the scenes brewery tour to learn how the brewery began, see the brewing process and sample five of their finest brews throughout the tour with a yours-to-keep beer glass. Afterwards, stay for some social drinks in the dog-friendly outdoor area or enjoy live music and burgers inside.
Hands on, interactive and child-friendly, the Speights brewery tour takes you back to their humble beginnings in 1876. Find out which ingredients are used to create Speights award-winning ale, pour your own tasting samples after the tour, then head to the Ale House for a pint and some hearty southern fare.
In 2011 Good George Brewing converted the historic St George's Church in Hamilton into a state of the art brewery and began their beer expedition. Today, Good George are creators of craft beer, cider and gin, and share their knowledge and and passion for brewing on a brewery tour(opens in new window). Top off a great day with a meal and more beer at Good George Dining Hall.
Watch master brewers in action and learn the local history from the oldest brewing region in New Zealand. In just 60 minutes, the tour at McCashin's Brewery(opens in new window) will give you a behind the scenes look into the unique brewing process, starting from sourcing Nelson grown hops and bespoke yeast - all the way through to tasting the finished product. Complete this grand tour with a cold one at their taproom and restaurant.
