Top 10 beer and brewery experiences

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.

Visit Tui Brewery

Five breweries (and a distillery). One venue. Loads of fun! Brewtown is 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 a Craft Beer Tour  for an epic day fueled by beer, burgers and behind the scenes brewery tours.

Visit Brewtown

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.

Explore Monteith's Brewery

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.

Go to Emerson's Brewery

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.

Explore Parrotdog Brewery

Hands on, interactive and child-friendly, the Speights brewery tour(opens in new window) 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.

Book a Speight's Brewery tour

In 2011 Good George Brewing(opens in new window) 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. 

Visit Good George Brewing

Grab your beer-loving mates, hire your bikes and tackle the Nelson Craft Beer Cycle Trail. From Nelson to Kaiteriteri and everywhere in between, local breweries await your arrival with a cold brew and great food. Plan your self-guided route with the Craft Beer Trail map or join a multi-day craft beer E-bike tour with Cycle Nelson(opens in new window).

Nelson Craft Beer Cycle Trail

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.

Explore McCashin's Brewery

Explore Auckland's urban craft beer scene the hassle free way, onboard a Brewbus craft beer tour. Join likeminded craft beer enthusiasts for lunch, including local beer pairings. Meet the makers of fine brews at Garage Project(opens in new window), Urbanaut Brewing Co(opens in new window), Good George(opens in new window) and Brothers Beer(opens in new window). Keen to sample more beer? Continue into the night with your Brewbus guide's Auckland craft beer recommendations.

Jump on the Brewbus