Wellington is known as the craft beer capital of New Zealand.
With breweries spread across central Wellington, Upper Hutt and the Kāpiti Coast, finding a vibrant spot to enjoy a beer is easy.
Begin your quest for the perfect pint with the Craft Capital Beer Trail (opens in new window)– a self-guided tour of Wellington’s specialist craft beer bars. Download yourself a map(opens in new window) to navigate your way around 19 craft beer bars, 15 craft beer breweries and 2 bottle stores stocking the finest local brews.
For a slightly shorter experience, the trail is divided into two sections – north and south – both of which can be tackled on foot. Local buses also run regularly for those who want to take longer hops between venues.
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.
Five breweries (and a distillery). One venue. Loads of fun.
Tucked away in an industrial area, a short walk from Upper Hutt train station, Brewtown(opens in new window) is a craft beer village complete with paintball, go carting, an ice-skating rink 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) returns to Sky Stadium on 21 and 22 August 2026. It’s the biggest weekend of the year for beer fans, who flock in to sample the latest craft beers, chat with the brewers, and catch up with mates. While beer is the star of the show, it’s backed by a strong supporting cast: top regional food vendors and unusual entertainment – including minigolf, roving theatrical performers, and the Timaru Associated Stunt Association, who promise to make safety their second priority.
