After visiting many bars and restaurants around the North Island we started to notice a common theme… Almost all the best craft beer came from Wellington! So when we finally got to New Zealand’s capital city we were excited to visit all the great Wellington breweries. From sipping lagers on Cuba Street to trying our favorite hefeweizen in New Zealand, we had the most epic week ever. We promise after reading this you’ll be ready to jump on a Wellington brewery tour, too!
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About the Wellington Breweries
Wellington has been dubbed the Craft Beer Capital of New Zealand, and it’s easy to see why! Walking around the city center it feels like there’s a Wellington brewery everywhere you look.
The scene is fairly recent to New Zealand with new breweries popping up each year. Yet, with how they’ve perfected their craft it seems like it’s been around forever!
What makes a Wellington brewery tour so unique is how close in proximity they all are to each other. In fact, in the city there are almost 30 different Wellington breweries, 19 of which have cellar doors!
All of the best breweries in Wellington use local fruits and hops to make their delicious blends. If you’re a beer lover there’s nothing better than seeing how they’re made, and tasting them directly from the source.
→ 10 Fun Things to do in Wellington On Your First Visit
Our Wellington Brewery Tour
When we set off to sample some of the best Wellington breweries we had one rule: Only drink one beer at each spot! Now that is easier said than done once you’ve tasted a delicious Wellington craft beer.
Still, this way we would be able to try as many breweries in Wellington as possible during our short stay. Many of the best spots don’t actually open until late afternoon. So after hours of exploring the city grabbing a beer became the perfect ritual to end to our days.
Wellington Craft Beer Capital Trail
The craft beer scene is so popular in Wellington there is literally an entire trail set up! Since all the Wellington breweries are so close together you can easily get a map and do a self guided tour like we did.
Download it off the Craft Beer Capital website, or at the breweries you can ask for a Craft Beer Capital Trail Map. We picked up ours at Fortune Favours which is a great place to start sampling your way around.
→ Is an official tour more your style? You can book a Wellington Craft Brewery Half-Day Guided Tour with Tastings Here!
Our Favorite Wellington Breweries
By no means are these the only great Wellington breweries. While we couldn’t hit all 30 during our visit these were some of our very favorite.
Heydey Brew Co: Set right on Cuba Street, this bright and fun Wellington brewery serves a mix of unique craft beers. Grab a drink inside, or head out for a game of cornhole.
Fork and Brewer: The first thing we noticed was the massive amount of beers on tap at Fork and Brewer. While we tasted several different beers here, the hefeweizen stood out as the best!
Choice Bros: This hidden bar is a great late night hangout with strong craft beers and fun decor.
Fortune Favors: There isn’t anything not to love about this spot. The craft beer we had was some of our favorite out of all the Wellington breweries. You can order a cheese plate or burger to go with your beer, and sit outside on the balcony.
Tuatara Brewery: Set just off of Cuba Street, this large brewery has something for everyone. We ordered a jug and listened to the tunes as the afternoon passed us by!
Have any questions about the breweries in Wellington or want to share your own favorite craft beers? Let us know in the comments below!
Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake
Where in the world are we? Follow our daily adventures on Instagram @nothingfamiliar!
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Where To Stay In Wellington New Zealand
Ultra Luxury – InterContinental Wellington – The InterContinental brand is known worldwide for its luxury, and Wellington is no different. Modern furnished rooms, indoor heated pool & spa, and located steps from the waterfront downtown.
Fun Vacation – Sofitel Wellington – Right in Wellington CBD with views of the famous botanical gardens. Great place for couples and solo travelers that want to be close to all the action of the city.
Budget Travel – U Boutique Hotel – Unique hotel right in the heart of Wellington. Gourmet breakfast is available, and walking distance to everywhere.
Hostel – The Marion Hostel – The perfect hostel to visit all the best breweries in Wellington from! Private rooms and dorms, large kitchen, and a helpful staff.
For more places to stay in Wellington you can explore the latest prices here!
___________________________New Zealand Travel Planning
Jucy Van: The best way to explore New Zealand is with a Jucy camper! We spent over six weeks driving around the North and South Islands in a van and loved every moment.
Rental Car: If you’re not renting a van you’ll need a car to see this country. We use Discover Cars when traveling and enjoy having the freedom to get around.
Flights: It’s easy to find cheap flight deals using Skyscanner and Kayak. That’s how we got flights from Auckland to Queenstown for $40 USD, and New Zealand to Fiji for less than $150!
Accommodation: Compare multiple sites to get the best deal such as Booking.com and Agoda. Also, Hostelworld should be your go to if you’re traveling on a budget.
Tours: Check out Get Your Guide to find activities all over New Zealand! They have everything from tickets to the Waitomo Glowworm Caves to a Hobbiton movie set tour, and even a Northland hole in the rock dolphin cruise!
Travel Insurance: Never travel abroad without being covered. We’ve been using SafetyWing for insurance the last few years and they are always there when we need them.
Packing Lists: Find all the inspiration you need with our Amazon packing lists. Including our electronics and camera gear, must-have medical items, and long flight essentials!
