Crafting your beer experience in Wellington

It’s regularly said that Wellington has a thriving craft beer industry — many even call it the craft brewing capital of the country. Whatever your view, there’s no denying the city is full of fantastic breweries. Here’s the lowdown on some of the great craft breweries you can visit in Wellington. 

The inner-city brew crew 

Brewpubs are a thing in Wellington — a big thing. You get to sit down in comfort, order food, chew the fat, and glance over your shoulder at giant collections of pipes, vats, and barrels. It adds a level of authenticity when you can smell the hops and see bags of malt through a window. There are some brewpubs within walking distance of each other in the central city. Fortune Favours on Leeds Street opened in 2017. Since then, it’s brewed over 300 beer varieties. The ground-level bar looks into the brewery, while the upstairs bar opens out onto two decks. Hanging above the entrance is a huge wooden hand, so it’s easy to find. 

A couple of blocks away on Cuba Street, Heyday Beer Co. has set up shop in a former car-battery garage. The pastel green exterior acts as a beacon to passers-by. Inside, it’s bright and light with a menu catering for everyone, including your kids and your pooch. You can sit outside in the sun and play games or hunker down inside near the shining silos. Bond Street is home to one of the oldest inner-city breweries. Fork & Brewer set up shop in 2012 and now offers over 40 beers on tap. 

Mean Doses Brewery began in a basement in 2013. Several awards and sell-out brews later, the team opened a bar and taproom upstairs on Tory Street. The bar has pinball, pool, shuffleboard, and classic arcade games. Completing the group of city breweries is Garage Project on Aro Street. Established in a former petrol station garage, the brewery is a creative powerhouse. Its collaborations with other Wellington businesses and ongoing experimentation have produced some wildly innovative beers. Visit the taproom across the road from the brewery to sample the goods. 

Hop to the suburbs for gold 

The suburbs heading southeast also host some tasty gems. Waitoa in Hātaitai is a microbrewery by day and a bar by night. Bring your own flagon to fill up and take away, or stop in for a while for a drink. Parrotdog Brewery in Rongotai is inspired by traditional pubs. After you’ve selected from one of the bar’s 17 revolving tap beers, you can sit down and watch the hops ferment through large windows. When it’s sunny, you can sit outside, sip, and smell the sea air. Lyall Bay beach is a couple of hundred metres away. 

The last stop on your craft beer journey will have you seeing double. Double Vision Brewery in Miramar has a classic craft beer genesis story. Four mates had a hobby and turned it into a career. From small beginnings, the brewery has grown to need an industrial-sized warehouse in the middle of the film industry territory. There are more than a dozen beers on tap and delicious food aplenty. 

Free agents to serve 

For bars with the widest and wildest beer selections, Wellington says, “hold my beer”. There are several great ʻfree’ bars. This means they are free to serve any brews they want to. Tucked down the alley-like Edward Street is Little Beer Quarter. Try something from the 12 rotating taps, two hand pulls and one nitro tap at the bar. Malthouse on Willis Street has been around since 1993. It’s one of the early movers and shakers in the New Zealand craft beer movement and has a reputation to match. Golding’s Free Dive on Leeds Street pays tribute to the dive bar scene of North America. It’s scoured the country to find an eclectic selection of beers. 

Don’t forget to say cheers for the beers.