New Zealanders have been rather partial to a beer, ever since Captain Cook brewed the country\u2019s first beer on 27th March 1773 in Dusky Sound. To combat scurvy amongst his sailors he experimented with using rimu and manuka, thinking:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n
\u201d…it would make a very wholesome beer, and supply the want of vegetables, which this place did not afford\u2026\u201d\u00a0 – James Cook, A Voyage Towards the South Pole and Round the World, Volume 1<\/p>\n\n\n
A fair few Kiwis have shown a preference for beer over vegetables since then. Captain Cook\u2019s beer included the tips and leaves of manuka; it is the inspiration for the popular Captain Cooker Manuka Beer, brewed by the Mussell Inn at Onekak\u0101, Golden Bay, since 1995.<\/p>\n\n\n
From 1917 until 1967 pubs had to shut at 6p.m., leading to the infamous \u201csix o\u2019clock swill\u201d as workers attempted to drink as much as possible in the hour between work ending and the pub shutting. For much of the twentieth century the beerscape was dominated by two major breweries, and most of their output was lager or draught and pretty unremarkable. We\u2019ve come a long way since then. Rather than a handle of generic, bland beer, set on a wet towel emblazoned with a major brand\u2019s name, you can now enjoy any manner of intriguing brews, created with love by micro-breweries around the country.<\/p>\n\n\n
To celebrate this diversity of deliciousness we\u2019ve put together an edit combining some of our favourite things \u2013 places you can enjoy a flavoursome beer on holiday, preferably with a pleasing view, and places you can take the children too, if you have them.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n
Note – beer is many things to many people, and some of our best friends despise \u201ccraft beer\u201d, thinking it the preserve of snobs and hipsters. However, we think it\u2019s fantastic NZ has such a choice of homegrown beers with character, produced with passion by small, locally owned breweries, run by people who get all excited about the magic of combining water, hops, malts and yeast to make a fine beer. Without adding sugar, preservatives and the like. <\/p>\n\n\n
Reputedly, New Zealand\u2019s first commercial brewery was established in Kororareka, near present day Russell, in 1835. While we don\u2019t know of any micro-brewery currently located in Russell, you can enjoy a craft beer in historic surrounds at the Duke of Marlborough or The Gables (re-opening September) .<\/p>\n\n\n
Further south, Waipu Cove is a beautiful piece of coast, great for a swim or a surf. After that you might fancy a cold drink – head to Waipu Pizza Barn, a very popular spot for a meal, with a range of craft beers, and a play area for children.<\/p>\n\n\n
Where to stay<\/p>\n\n\n
See holiday lettings near Northland ><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n Our largest city has its fair share of great microbreweries and places to try a local craft beer. In the city, an established brewpub with a traditional feel and a loyal following is Galbraith\u2019s Alehouse. For a more modern, designy aesthetic, and a great range of local and imported craft beers that you can enjoy there with food, or take away, try Brothers Beer in the City Works Depot. Brothers Beer stocks bottles from talented, Auckland craft-brewers such as Epic Beer, Schipper\u2019s Beer, and Liberty Brewing Co. Brothers Beer have recently opened Brothers Juke Joint at 5 Akiraho St, Mt Eden, which offers BBQ food, a sandpit and loads of vintage toys, as well as great beers. Other bars that have local craft beer on tap include Vultures\u2019 Lane, downtown, and The Lumsden Freehouse, in Newmarket.<\/p>\n\n\n If you\u2019re after a scenic, child-friendly spot to enjoy a craft beer, we highly recommend The Sawmill Cafe up in Leigh. After a day snorkeling at Goat Island or running about on Pakiri Beach, the children can wander in the lovely garden while you enjoy a drop from Leigh Sawmill Brewing Company, with good food too. Another favourite is Hallertau Brewbar in Riverhead, very handy after working up a thirst mountain-biking at Woodhill. We like the way you can watch the kiddies on the playground while sampling Hallertau\u2019s various brews, with bread and dips. Waiheke Island Brewery is based at Wild On Waiheke vineyard – you can try one of their brews after a spot of archery amongst the vines, or other outdoor activities. There\u2019s a playground, trampoline and sandpit for children. Deep Creek Brewing Co. make small batch, full-flavoured beers, from their brewery in Brown\u2019s Bay. You can enjoy a beer straight from the gleaming tanks, with good food and great views of the beach. You\u2019ll find them at Orewa and Waiheke as well.<\/p>\n\n\n The New Zealand Beer Festival takes place in March in Auckland, with craft beer, food matches and live music.<\/p>\n\n\n Where to stay<\/p>\n\n\n See holiday lettings near Auckland ><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n It\u2019s best to drink beer in the shadow of the brewery, according to Bay Brewery Bistro, in Whitianga. Or in their sun-dappled garden bar, as the case may be. They cook with local, fresh produce and organic, free range meat –\u00a0 a fitting accompaniment to lovingly crafted beers. Which we imagine would taste especially good after a day out fishing or messing about in boats.<\/p>\n\n\n At Hot Water Beach, you might want to surf or dig your own little hot pool, then head to Hot Water Brewing Co. for a local beer and bite to eat outdoors. They do their Golden Steamer Ale, Kauri Falls Pale Ale and Walker\u2019s Porter in cans, so you could add to someone\u2019s rare can collection while you\u2019re at it. If you\u2019d like to try something from the Coromandel Brewing Company, they have recently opened the Pour House, their new brewery and bar in Hahei. Try the Good as Gold Pilsner or Easy Rider Pale Ale with their wood fired pizzas, handmade on the premises.<\/p>\n\n\n Where to stay<\/p>\n\n\n See holiday lettings near Coromandel ><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n Rotorua is a bit magic, with all that thermal activity and wafting steam. There\u2019s plenty of scope to work up a thirst, mountain-biking the legendary trails of Whakarewarewa or paddling, swimming or running round any number of scenic lakes. So fortunately Paul Croucher and Nigel Gregory, of the award-winning local Croucher Brewing Co, have opened their own pub and coffee roastery, Brew, where you can slake your thirst and tuck into a meal. There\u2019s a Brew Tauranga too, if you\u2019re over that way.<\/p>\n\n\n What do we know about Kawerau? Forestry, Sarah Walker, BMX\u2026 Yes, but another Kawerau woman deserving of note, respect and a raised glass, is Tammy Viitakangas, Managing Director and Head Brewer at Aotearoa Breweries, maker of the award-winning Mata beers. These beers are hand-crafted, using only natural ingredients, and 100% pure artesian water sourced specially from a local acquifer. Not only do the family behind Mata make very flavoursome beers, they also work hard at sustainability, and have beer match recipes, such as Mata Manuka with BBQ Chilli Kelp Crayfish. Nice. You can enjoy Mata beer on tap at Vaudeville, a quirky and theatrical new bar in Mount Maunganui.<\/p>\n\n\n Where to stay<\/p>\n\n\n See holiday lettings near Bay of Plenty ><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n Visitors might come to Taranaki for the surf, the mountain, whitebait, or festivals such as Womad or the Garden Spectacular. If you\u2019re in the \u2018Naki we strongly suggest you stop off at Mike\u2019s Organic Brewery in Urenui. Mike\u2019s Organic Ale has won numerous awards, and Mike\u2019s Coffee Porter won awards at BGNZ three years in a row. You can try a tasting selection of excellent, organic beers, in a cool old railway hall building, and then buy your favourites by the bottle to take away with you. You can take a brewery tour, there\u2019s pizza and other food, outdoor seating and a quirky, relaxed atmosphere. The annual Oktoberfest at Mike\u2019s is on October 25th in 2014. Dress up and revel in games, live music, food and flowing beer; tickets always sell out so book early.<\/p>\n\n\n Where to stay<\/p>\n\n\n See holiday lettings near Taranaki ><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n Wellington has gone a bit nuts for craft beer. Touting itself as the Craft Beer Capital, there\u2019s a website to prove it, with a handy printable beer map, so you can work your way around the city\u2019s 17 craft beer bars, 8 established breweries or brew bars, and two contract brewers. You can get stamps on your map, like kiddies at the zoo, or just revel in the beer-fervour, try some amazing brews and good food to match.<\/p>\n\n\n Hashigo Zake (\u201cCult Beer Bar\u201d) offers a mind-boggling array of beers from here and abroad, which you could soak up with a made-to-order pie, or udon noodles.\u00a0 For excellent beer and food matches try Fork and Brewer \u2013 they have 40 taps on a giant barrel, and a flair for superb food too. They use beer and brewing by-products imaginatively in some dishes. If you\u2019re after somewhere very child-friendly where you can enjoy a craft beer, fresh food or coffee, try The Southern Cross. It\u2019s a welcoming place, with a sense of community, lots of different spaces, board games, and loads on, from knitting circles to great live music. The Sprig and Fern in Tinakori Rd is also good for families. Rogue and Vagabond has an outdoor area, where you can enjoy a beer, with your dog at your feet. For a bit of greenery, try the Hop Garden on the lower slopes of Mount Victoria. The bar has twelve taps, and a vine-covered garden patio \u2013 there\u2019s an emphasis on outstanding food and wine too. If craft beer is a religion in Wellington, then The Malthouse is its high altar, according to Tuatara at least. The Malthouse, in Courtenay Place, has a gob-smacking 27 taps, covering a who\u2019s who of craft brewing in NZ. There are 6 separate fridges set at the perfect temperatures for serving their respective contents.<\/p>\n\n\n Yeastie Boys Stu McKinlay and Sam Possenniskie have earnt a big reputation and a truckload of accolades, especially for their flagship beer, Pot Kettle Black. Their favourite beer is their smoky Rex Attitude: \u201can audacious ale that looks like a premium lager but drinks like an Islay whisky. Be afraid.\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n Garage Project create a dizzying list of beers, many experimental, which you can read about on their beautifully designed and often hilarious website. Garage Project picked up a Silver Medal at the World Beer Cup for their Cockswain\u2019s Courage Double Barreled Porter. Their cellar door is a handsomely tiled place, and their inventiveness extends to Mash Bones, delightfully packaged chews for pooches, made from spent mash.<\/p>\n\n\n Parrotdog have won awards for their Bloody Dingo (Imperial Red IPA) and Bitter Bitch (IPA). There\u2019s an off-license at their brewery in Vivian St, should you wish to head down and fill up your rigger.<\/p>\n\n\n In Upper Hutt, Kereru Brewing are keeping it local, using NZ Gladfield malts and NZ hops to create both traditional and gluten-free craft beer. They\u2019ve won medals for their Moonless Stout, and For Great Justice, Wood Fired Toasted Coconut Porter. Charmingly cheerful labels too.<\/p>\n\n\n Tuatara is a wildly successful brewery and while they\u2019re not quite in Wellington, they\u2019re just a train-ride away in Paraparaumu. They brew true to style, making the effort to get Belgian yeast for Belgian ales, for example. Tuatara has won oodles of awards for their Hefe and their Pilsener, amongst others. Their brewery tour gets a thumbs up.<\/p>\n\n\n Where to stay<\/p>\n\n\n See holiday lettings near Wellington ><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n Towering hops! Nelson and beer go way back.\u00a0 In the 1840s German and English settlers found the temperate Moutere region to be perfect for growing hops, and beer has been brewed here ever since. Hops are a vital ingredient in beer, providing the bitterness to balance the malts, as well as helping to preserve the beer. Hop gardens were important to early Nelson, with school holidays timed to allow all the family to help with the harvest. Nelson is still the centre of NZ\u2019s hop-growing industry, producing hops that are famous here and abroad thanks to the unique aromatic varieties that have been cultivated. Toss around hop names like Riwaka, Nelson Sauvin and Pacific Jade if you\u2019re bluffing as a beer boffin.\u00a0 Head to Nelson\u2019s Craft Brewing Capital website to download the Nelson Beer Trail map, then spend some time wending your way around interesting breweries and bars, making the most of the famous Nelson sunshine.<\/p>\n\n\n Founders has been brewing in Nelson since 1854, when Joseph Dodson started making beer here. Six generations later, his family are still proudly brewing. The Founders Brewery, Bar and Caf\u00e9 is set in Founders Heritage Park. There\u2019s outdoor seating in the Hop Garden and front courtyard, and more inside.\u00a0 There\u2019s a playground to keep the nippers happy.<\/p>\n\n\n Stoke beers are brewed by McCashins Brewery, which also makes Rochdale Cider. Terry and Bev McCashin bought the brewery from Rochdale Cider in 1980, back in the dark days when beer is NZ was produced by a big, commercial duopoly. Terry and Bev started hand-crafting beer from organic, local ingredients with their Mac\u2019s brand, since taken over by Lion. You can hear the tale of NZ\u2019s craft-brewing revolution on a tour of the brewery ($10), then sample some of their award-winning Stoke beers at the busy caf\u00e9 and bar. It\u2019s open all day, with coffee, wood-fired pizza and other good food.<\/p>\n\n\n The Sprig and Fern Brewery makes full flavoured, unpasteurised craft beers and ciders in Nelson, from natural ingredients. Head brewer Tracy Banner owns the brewery with her husband Ken. Tracy has spent decades perfecting her brewing techniques in the UK and NZ, and has a slew of awards to show for it. You can buy the full range of beers in Sprig and Fern taverns \u2013 there are 8 of them. The Milton Street Sprig and Fern in Nelson was named NZ\u2019s Best Bar in the 2012 Hospitality NZ Awards. You can hang your bike on the flash rack outside, order food from the bar, or get takeaways from next door delivered to your table.<\/p>\n\n\n The Moutere Inn was built in 1850 and is believed to be the oldest pub in NZ. It was originally a resting place between Richmond and Motueka, in the midst of the hop-growing area. Drink in the views, the history and something from the astonishingly diverse drinks list. Craft beer is served through three traditional beer engines, thirteen other taps and in bottles, or try local wines if you\u2019d rather. Meals are served from midday, Wednesday to Sunday.<\/p>\n\n\n The Mussell Inn (re-opening September) is set in Golden Bay, a 2 hour drive over the Takaka hill from Nelson. Built and run by the Dixon family, it\u2019s a rustic place, with lots of chunky wooden furniture, an open fire, homemade food such as their famous steamed mussels, and a leafy garden area outside. They have live music, and a big local following. The Mussel Inn flagship brew is Captain Cooker Manuka Beer, flavoured with the freshly picked tips of the manuka tree, in a nod to the first beer brewed in NZ, by Captain Cook. They brew other beers, cider and their own soft drinks too.<\/p>\n\n\n The Freehouse regularly gets called the best pub in Nelson, or even NZ. It\u2019s set in an old church, with a sunny garden, featuring a Mongolian yurt. They take beer very seriously, and offer a huge and ever-changing range. They also provide food, board games and a great atmosphere.<\/p>\n\n\n Marchfest is an annual beer and music festival held in Founders Park in Nelson, with entertainment for all the family.<\/p>\n\n\n Where to stay<\/p>\n\n\n See holiday lettings near Nelson-Golden Bay ><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n Renaissance Brewing Company only use locally grown hops, to produce their range of award-winning beers. They\u2019ve won medals for their Elemental Porter, their Marlborough Pale Ale and many others. Taste their work next door to the brewery at the Dodson Street Ale House, which has the entire Renaissance range on tap, as well as beers and ciders from further afield. Dodson Street also offers a beer garden and family friendly pizzeria.<\/p>\n\n\n Moa Brewing Company was founded in 2003 by Josh Scott, son of well-known Marlborough wine-maker Allan Scott. Josh Scott qualified as a winemaker but was always more interested in brewing beer. Producing beer got him in a spot of bother at boarding school, but has led to success and accolades in the last decade. Moa beer is handcrafted with a focus on local ingredients, including NZ hops; unfiltered and unpasteurised, it benefits from winemaking techniques such as barrel-aging and bottle fermentation, and some, such as the award-winning Blanc Evolution, are even sealed with a muselet \u2013 the fancy little cage top that stops the cork bursting out. Visitors are welcome at the brewery, Jacksons Rd, Blenheim, from 11am-5pm.<\/p>\n\n\n Inspired by the famous Kiwi can-do mentality, S\u00f8ren Eriksen started 8 Wired Brewing Co in Blenheim in 2009, and in 2011 the company was named NZ Champion Brewery at the Brewers\u2019 Guild of NZ Awards \u2013 fast work. 8 Wired is also the only NZ brewery in the Ratebeer.com Top 100 Brewers in the world for 2014. Try one of their beers at their local \u201chome turf\u201d: Scotch Wine Bar, 26 Maxwell St, Blenheim, where you\u2019ll find 4 permanent 8 Wired taps, and a goodly selection of bottles, burgers and tapas.<\/p>\n\n\n Where to stay<\/p>\n\n\n See holiday lettings near Marlborough ><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n Christchurch has a proud tradition of brewing and enjoying good beer. This continues despite the earthquake of February 2011, which wreaked havoc on the city. While the quake forced the closure of the legendary Dux De Luxe venue, the Dux continues with separate brewing, live venue and restaurant arms. New venues have opened, and the choice and quality of beers on offer seems ever-increasing.<\/p>\n\n\n The Tannery is an exciting post-quake development in a historic precinct. The arcade houses a range of boutique shops, restaurants and bars, including Cassel\u2019s and Sons Brewery. Cassel\u2019s and Sons are passionate craft brewers, using a sustainable wood-fired brew kettle, artesian water and natural grains. Despite their losses in the quake, they\u2019ve come back twice as strong, with a brewery, bar, live music venue and caf\u00e9. There\u2019s an outdoor area, good food and lots of happy punters.<\/p>\n\n\n With Lion Breweries Christchurch plant closed by the earthquake, successful craft brewery Harrington\u2019s is now the largest brewer in the city, with breweries, outlets and restaurant bars.\u00a0 Harrington\u2019s is a family-owned brewery, started in 1991 by John Harrington \u2013 the \u201cBig John\u201d beer was named in his honour. Harrington\u2019s offers contract brewing, as well as producing at least 16 beers of their own, such as the award-winning Pig and Whistle Mild Dark Ale, and the Clydesdale Stout.<\/p>\n\n\n Another Christchurch institution is Pomeroy\u2019s Old Brewery Inn. \u201cIt\u2019s craft beer heaven\u201d according to one beer enthusiast. There are 13 regular taps and 11 guest taps, with two permanently dedicated to the Yeastie Boys and 8 Wired. Set in a heritage building that was the official Wards Brewery in the 19th century, \u201cPoms\u201d has charm, comfort and history. It\u2019s owned and run by Steve and Victoria Pomeroy, looking after the beer and the food and aesthetic side respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n Canterbury is one of the best places in the southern hemisphere for growing malting barley. The grain waving in those golden fields makes its way into a number of fine local beers. Two Thumb Brewing Co, Three Boys, Cassels and Sons and the Twisted Hop are just some of the brewers using Gladfield Malt, along with others up and down the country.<\/p>\n\n\n The Twisted Hop in Woolston is a craft brew pub making cask beer in the traditional English way. Their beers use Canterbury malt and NZ hops, and undergo the final fermentation in the barrel they\u2019re served from. Try their cask-conditioned beer, served by hand pump, at 12 degrees; there are guest beers and ciders too. There is seating indoors or out on a sheltered deck, and the food gets good reviews too.<\/p>\n\n\n In March Christchurch\u2019s beer enthusiasts flock to the Great Kiwi Beer Festival. At the last festival about 13,000 ate, drank and made merry, while bands played and the sun shone in Hagley Park.<\/p>\n\n\n Where to stay<\/p>\n\n\n See holiday lettings near Christchurch Area ><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n Wanaka Beerworks has been making craft beer since 1998. They\u2019re famous for Brewski, Cardrona Gold, and a range of seasonal beers, with names celebrating the alpine environment. The stronger Brewer\u2019s Selection beers have interesting ingredients such as spelt and cardomom.The tasting room is open from 11am- 4pm, and there are tours of the brewery at 2pm, except on Wednesdays.<\/p>\n\n\n Queenstown Brewers is a small contract brewery started by John Wallace, who uses South Island malts and NZ hops to make traditional beer styles with a Kiwi twist.<\/p>\n\n\n For craft beer in Queenstown try Atlas Beer Cafe, a small, friendly place tucked at the back of Steamer Wharf. They have Emersons on tap, outdoor seating, are open from breakfast on, and get rave reviews for their steak.<\/p>\n\n\n Set in the pretty surrounds of historic Arrowtown, The Fork and Tap serves up craft beers and cider, local wines and good food. There is a sunny garden bar outside, and it\u2019s very family-friendly, with a children\u2019s play area and sandpits. If you want to stock up on craft beer and local wines to take back to the bach, try Pembroke Wines and Spirits in Wanaka. They\u2019re friendly, knowledgeable, and you can have a drink with the locals while choosing.<\/p>\n\n\n Where to stay<\/p>\n\n\n See holiday lettings near Queenstown Lakes ><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n Emerson\u2019s Brewery makes full-flavoured, true to style, natural, living beers with great consistency. Brewing legend Richard Emerson started Emerson\u2019s Brewery in 1992 and in 1997 Emerson\u2019s won the NZ Champion Brewery Award. Emerson\u2019s Pilsner with its Riwaka Hops and unique fruitiness has won awards and is much-loved. (I remember how revolutionary and delicious it seemed compared to other beers in the \u201890s) The Weissbeer and Bookbinder Bitter have also won awards and fans. Emerson\u2019s does not appear in the Beer Tourist guide, because in 2012 Emerson\u2019s was bought by Lion, owned by Kirin, so it doesn\u2019t fit the locally-owned criterion. Richard Emerson has stayed on and Emerson\u2019s still produces fantastic craft beer.<\/p>\n\n\n Green Man Brewery makes hand-crafted, batch brewed beers according to the Bavarian Beer Purity Law of 1516. They also make cider, ginger beer and some brews with unsual additions, such as tequila. Sustainability is a focus too, with effort put into reusing bottles and keeping down the carbon footprint. There are brewery tours for $20, with tastings.<\/p>\n\n\n Velvet Worm Brewery is named after the rare Velvet Worm caterpillar found only in Dunedin. The brewery is fittingly small, unique and local. Velvet Worm produces craft ales and cider.<\/p>\n\n\n McDuffs Brewery has been brewing ales with natural ingredients since the \u201880s. McDuffs is set in the middle of Dunedin\u2019s student zone, making it handy for all those scarfies to head into the brewery shop at 695 Great King Street Dunedin to pick up a six pack, rigger or keg.<\/p>\n\n\n Albar at 135 Stuart St, is a cosy little bar with traditional hand-pump beer, and Emerson\u2019s on tap. They also serve tapas and many, many whiskies.<\/p>\n\n\n The Bund, a rather stylish Caf\u00e9, Bistro and Bar at 16 The Octagon, sits next to the Regent Theatre. They currently have Velvet Worm on tap, and Emersons by the bottle. The menu looks very tempting and they\u2019re open from 8am.<\/p>\n\n\n Inch Bar, at 8 Bank St, opposite the Botanic Gardens in north Dunedin, is a tapas bar and live music venue. They have Tuatara and Emersons on tap, as well as Velvet Worm, at times.<\/p>\n\n\n Plato, a relaxed, retro-styled restaurant at 2 Birch St, is also home to Birch Street Brewery. There\u2019s craft beer on tap, lots of seafood, live music some nights, and plenty of quirky memorabilia.<\/p>\n\n\n If you\u2019d like some rock \u2018n\u2019 roll with your beer, head to Chick\u2019s Hotel a legendary gig venue in Port Chalmers.<\/p>\n\n\n Also in Port Chalmers, The Portsider Bar and Restaurant at 31 George St, gets glowing reviews for its craft beers, good food, d\u00e9cor, friendly atmosphere and log fire.<\/p>\n\n\n Dunedin Craft Beer Expo offers over 100 unique beers, matched with great food and music in Dunedin\u2019s most photographed building, the Dunedin Train Station. Sat 20th September, 2014<\/p>\n\n\n Dunedin Craft Beer and Food Festival is a celebration of the brewing and culinary heritage of Otago. Held at The Forsyth Barr Stadium, it takes place on Sat 4th October 2014.<\/p>\n\n\n Where to stay<\/p>\n\n\n See holiday lettings near Otago ><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n Invercargill Brewery is NZ\u2019s southernmost brewery. Steve Nally makes boutique beers and cider, as well as doing contract brewing for other craft brewers. Pitch Black Stout has won many awards, and apparently goes nicely with chocolate cake or seafood such as Bluff oysters. For $20 you can do a brewery tour with tastings, at 1pm. Take along a flagon or rigger, and fill up with your favourite brew. You could bring it along for a picnic in the nearby Queens Park, which has landscaped gardens, a golf course, duck pond, playground and kiddy zoo. You might want to stock up for a jaunt around the scenic bottom of the South Island too, in search of those oysters perhaps.<\/p>\n\n\n Where to stay<\/p>\n\n\n
\n\n\nAuckland<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n
Auckland City<\/h3>\n\n\n
Out of town<\/h3>\n\n\n
Festivals<\/h3>\n\n\n
\n\n\nCoromandel<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n
Whitianga: Bay Brewery Bistro<\/h3>\n\n\n
Hot Water Beach, Hahei: Hot Water Brewing Co and the Pour House<\/h3>\n\n\n
\n\n\nBay of Plenty<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n
Rotorua<\/h3>\n\n\n
Mata Beer, Kawerau<\/h3>\n\n\n
\n\n\nTaranaki<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n
Urenui<\/h3>\n\n\n
\n\n\nWellington<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n
Wellington – the Craft Beer Capital<\/h3>\n\n\n
Craft Beer bars<\/h3>\n\n\n
Craft breweries<\/h3>\n\n\n
Upper Hutt<\/h3>\n\n\n
Paraparaumu<\/h3>\n\n\n
\n\n\nNelson<\/a> – Golden Bay<\/h2>\n\n\n
Nelson – The Craft Brewing Capital<\/h3>\n\n\n
Breweries and Craft Beer bars in Nelson<\/h3>\n\n\n
Craft Beer Festivals in Nelson<\/h3>\n\n\n
\n\n\nMarlborough<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n
Breweries of note in Blenheim<\/h3>\n\n\n
\n\n\nCanterbury<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n
Christchurch<\/h3>\n\n\n
Canterbury Malt<\/h3>\n\n\n
Canterbury Craft Beer Festivals<\/h3>\n\n\n
\n\n\nQueenstown Lakes<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n
Craft Beer Brewers around Queenstown-Lakes<\/h3>\n\n\n
Craft Beer Bars around Queenstown-Lakes<\/h3>\n\n\n
\n\n\nOtago<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n
Craft Beer Brewers in Dunedin<\/h3>\n\n\n
Craft Beer Bars in Dunedin<\/h3>\n\n\n
Dunedin Craft Beer Festivals<\/h3>\n\n\n
\n\n\nSouthland<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n
Craft Beer in Invercargill<\/h3>\n\n\n