Wellington’s compact city centre makes its craft beer scene easy to explore, with breweries, brewpubs and beer bars close together. Follow a self-guided beer trail or head further afield to Brewtown and the Kāpiti Coast.
Begin your quest for the perfect pint with the Craft Capital Beer Trail (opens in new window)– a self-guided route connecting breweries, beer bars and specialist bottle stores around the city. The trail is divided into northern and southern sections, making it easy to explore on foot over one or more days.
If you find yourself slightly further up the coast from Wellington, visit the Duncans Brewing(opens in new window) and North End Brewing(opens in new window). Learn about craft beer ingredients, take a deep dive into the various styles of beer and an in-depth look at the brewing process from start to finish, with tastings of course.
Brewtown(opens in new window) is a food, drink and entertainment precinct in Upper Hutt, bringing several breweries and a distillery together in one destination.
Alongside brewery tastings, visitors can find restaurants and activities such as go-karting and ten-pin bowling.
Scattered throughout the inner city, Wellington’s brewpubs are all about location. Designed to bring people together, many have popped up in convenient but unlikely places across the city’s backstreets and alleyways. The cheerful pastel building of Heyday Beer Co.(opens in new window) was once a car-battery garage, while Garage Project(opens in new window), an icon of the local brewing scene, began life in a derelict petrol station. Even though the Fork & Brewer(opens in new window) learned the hard way not to install a brewery on the second floor because it's problematic for the pipes, their wonderful balcony overlooking the city more than makes up for it. For a resourceful craft industry that values innovation, it is only fitting that this creativity extends to bricks and mortar.
Beervana(opens in new window) is the ultimate weekend for anyone who loves a good brew. Held annually in Wellington, Beervana brings breweries from around New Zealand together for two days of beer tastings, food and entertainment.
Whether you're a craft beer fan or just looking for a fun day out with mates, there’s something for everyone. You can wander the stadium concourse to find hundreds of different beers, ciders, and seltzers—some made especially for the event.
If you plan to taste beer at several venues, consider walking, public transport, a brewery tour or another transport option rather than driving.
