New Zealand Loves Beer
The country is a beer-making nation with around 150 commercial breweries, microbreweries and brewpubs. Beer accounts for around 60% of alcohol for sale. The beers you will see the most while travelling through New Zealand comes from the two biggest breweries: Lion Breweries and DB Breweries. But a lot of small communities caught onto the beer revelation that started in the late 1990s. Today, you are spoiled for choice with craft beer in New Zealand. These beers are made by locals with a passion for beer for those who love drinking beer. In this list of New Zealand beers, we’ll include a mix of craft beers to try in New Zealand as well as mainstream beers that are simply friendly to the traveller’s budget.
Remember to drink responsibly and check out our 11 Drinks You Have to Try in New Zealand.
1. Speight’s
If you’re looking for an affordable beer brand in New Zealand, then Speight’s is one of the most popular. Speight’s is a Lion breweries beer. You can take a tour of the Speight’s Brewery in Dunedin. The brand has grown to have alehouses around the country.
2. Tui
Another super affordable beer in New Zealand is Tui. Apart from being an alcoholic beverage, what gives Tui that edge is the trivia question under the bottle cap. But sometimes, we think the trivia questions are a bit drunk too:
3. Wanaka Beerworks
As we mentioned, there are no lack of microbreweries in New Zealand and a great example is the Wanaka Beerworks located at the Wanaka Airport. What’s more, tours are available to check out how a microbrewery functions.
4. Monteith’s
Brewed on the West Coast, South Island, you can take a tour or have a taste of the beers at the Monteith’s Brewery in Greymouth. They are known for being a bit experimental, as one time brewers blocked all the brewery’s pipes with chocolate stout.
5. Emerson’s
The Dunedin Brewery has a core range: Pilsner, 1812, bookbinder and London Porter. Plus seasonal and limited edition beers.
6. Mac’s Beer
One of the craft beer brands that has hit the big time in New Zealand is Mac’s. Mac’s has a number of brewbars across the country to try the selection on tap, including its seven beers and popular ginger beer.
7. DB
DB has been quenching the thirst of beer guzzlers since the 1930s. What’s more, this selection of beer gives you break from beer bottles, as they mostly come in cans. DB does DB Draught, DB export, DB Bitter and a backpacker’s favourite, Double Brown Beer.
8. Sunshine Brewery
The brewery based in the East Coast city of Gisborne is famous for its generous tasting trays and laid-back brewery tours.
9. Bays
Speaking of Nelson, Bays Brewery is also worth trying for their traditional methods used to brew Bays beer naturally.
10. Epic
Epic beer boasts variety: pale ale, lager, Armageddon I.P.A and Hop Zombie. Look out for seasonal beers too.
12. The Twisted Hop
The Twisted Hop Brewery in Christchurch specialises in English style cask-conditioned real ales.
13. Tuatara
Tuatara Brewery is handcrafted in Paraparaumu. It sources ingredients from all over the world.
14. Yeastie Boys
Not just a punny name, Yeastie Boys’ is renowned for its American style porter, Pot Kettle Black. Made in Wellington.
15. Renaissance
Another brewery situated in the heart of the wine county, Marlborough. Go to the Dodson Street Beer Garden to not only have a peek into the Renaissance Brewery but to also try beers from the largest collection of craft beers in New Zealand.
16. Garage Project
New on the beer crafting scene, Garage Project is based in Aro Valley, Wellington. The beers can be sampled at Cellar Door in Wellington.
17. Hallertau
Visit the Brewbar and Restaurant in Riverhead, Auckland to drink their selection of beers fresh from the tanks.
18. Sprig & Fern
Sprig & Fern Brewery is part of the Nelson Craft Beer Trail. There are 10 small breweries in Nelson.
19. Brew Moon
Brew Moon is found on tap in Dunedin, Wellington, Invercargill, Blenheim, Christchurch and Nelson. Of course, you can go for tastings at the microbrewery and cafe in Amberley, Canterbury. What makes this beer stand out from other New Zealand craft beer is the fact that the brewers choose to can their beers, not bottle!
20. Hop Federation
Another craft beer from the Nelson region, Hop Federation offers brewery tours nestled in hop-growing orchards.
21. Hot Water Brewing
The three Hot Water Beers can be enjoyed minutes away from Hot Water Beach, Coromandel.
23. Mata
Aotearoa Breweries in Kawerau, Bay of Plenty has 11 award-winning beers.
[CLOSED] Invercargill Brewery
Moving onto the craft beer now, one New Zealand craft beer worth trying is from the Invercargill Brewery. To complete the experience, Invercargill Brewery is open for tours and tastings. Plus, it’s probably the southernmost brewery you will ever visit. [Update: Invercargill Brewery has now closed].
[CLOSED] Founders Brewery
The South Island city of Nelson claims to be one of the biggest craft beer-producers in the country. Founders Brewery in the Founders Park is one of the most popular Nelson beers. For more brewery inspiration in Nelson, take a look at 10 Craft Breweries in Nelson You Have to Try.
More About Things from New Zealand
Finally, if you’re feeling inspired to plan the perfect trip to try all of those New Zealand beers, be sure to bookmark The Best Travel Guide to New Zealand.
Sources:
The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:
- Tourism New Zealand (General travel advice - Updated [2024])
- Immigration New Zealand (Visa and immigration advice - Updated [2024])
- New Zealand Customs Service (Customs and Biosecurity - Updated [2024])
- New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD online platform - Updated [2024])
- Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2024])
- Safe Travel (NZ travel advisories - Updated [2024])
- Stats NZ (Statistics and travel data - Updated [2024])
- Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (Road and transport tips - Updated [2024])
- DriveSafe (Road safety - Updated [2024])
- Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2024])
- AdventureSmart (Know before you go - Update [2024])
Our editorial standards: At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.
About The Author
Robin C.
This article has been reviewed and approved by Robin, who is the co-founder of NZ Pocket Guide. With more than 15 years of experience in the New Zealand tourism industry, Robin has co-founded three influential tourism businesses and five additional travel guides for South Pacific nations. He is an expert in New Zealand travel and has tested over 600 activities and 300+ accommodations across the country.