Country

Best breweries in New Zealand

We track 220 breweries in New Zealand. 4 rate Exceptional and 23 rate Great. McLeod's Brewery in Waipu leads the list at 4.51 (Exceptional).

The scale

Exceptional
A short list of extraordinary breweries worth planning a trip around.
Great
Consistently produce world-class beer.
Fine
Make genuinely good beer, if not the pint you will still be talking about next year.
Poor
Not bad beer so much as unremarkable beer.
Limited
Most craft beer drinkers pass these by.

1
McLeod's Brewery
Waipu, Northland Region, New Zealand
One of the best things about the rise of real beer is the return of small, local breweries. Here at McLeod's, 'small' and 'local' go hand-in-hand with quality and variety. This is evident in our winning the Champion New Zealand Medium Brewery 2024 award, adding to our previous win in 2021, and our first-ever Champion New Zealand Beer for Tropical Cyclone Double IPA. From our year-round range to our mixed fermentation and barrel-aged Smugglers Bay Collection, we make good beer for every palate, every day.
Rating
4.51Exceptional
Popularity
Well rated
2
Craftwork Brewery
Oamaru, Otago Region, New Zealand
Craftwork is a brewing partnership between Michael O'Brien and Lee-Ann Scotti, founded on 24th March 2014. With a 50 litre Braumeister, we recognise that our capacity is ludicrously uneconomic,but we decided to brew ourselves, from grinding the malt by hand to bottling the finished product. The craft work is a joy, and as we are not indebted, we opted to have a legal brewery in Lee-Ann's stone basement. Whilst our inspiration is Belgian, we salute the bold American role models. Where ever possible, we like to source the finest malts and adjuncts, organically and locally . One year on, we have doubled our capacity to 100 litres and we are very pleased to sell to the best outlets in the country : bars , restaurants and bottle stores supporting SOBA. www.soba.org.nz Since June 2022 we now have our own tap room in the Victorian Precinct in an historic building, brewing on a 500 litre Braumeister. 2017 sees our first export to the U.K. and Switzerland. Thanks for your support, Michael and Lee-Ann for Craftwork
Rating
4.45Exceptional
Popularity
Lightly rated
3
Alibi Brewing Co.
Waiheke Island, Auckland, New Zealand
Our journey is to formulate thoughtfully crafted beers across a wide range of styles. We strive for flavour and complexity whilst clutching on to the balance between malt, hops, yeast and sink-ability which is the undertow of every great beer. Join us for the ride.
Rating
4.39Exceptional
Popularity
Modestly rated
4
Black Sands Brewing (NZ)
Auckland, New Zealand
Nestling in the foothills of the Waitakere ranges of West Auckland, Black Sands Brewing is a family owned and operated brewery that hand brew real craft beer using only the finest local ingredients. Embodying the spirit of the rugged and beautiful west coast in our beers, we strive to support our West Auckland community through art, music, beer and surf.
Rating
4.33Exceptional
Popularity
Lightly rated
5
The Good Drop
Rangiora, Canterbury Region, New Zealand
Primarily a craft beer bar and "fillery", we do like to brew our own small batches of beer from time to time. These are usually 1-off batches - often only single keg sized. This creates a great point of difference for our cool little venue!
Rating
4.29Great
Popularity
Barely rated
6
Bootleg Brewery Ltd
Hamilton, Waikato Region, New Zealand
We make beer with personality, big IPAs, big Stouts, Belgians (which are big) also a mean German Lager. Brewery & Taproom located in Matangi Dairy Factory. Round the back! 452B Tauwhare Road, Matangi, Waikato. We are staunchly independent, we support other independent breweries and reciprocating businesses. ALWAYS CHOOSE INDEPENDENT BEER YOU HAVE A CHOICE, say no to mass produced duopolistic cannabalistic breweries. Head to our shop for beers, delivery to North Island NZ www.bootlegbrewery.co.nz/shop
Rating
4.22Great
Popularity
Modestly rated
7
Station Brewing
Alexandra, Otago, New Zealand
Rating
4.21Great
Popularity
Barely rated
8
Mythica Brewing
Auckland, New Zealand
Mythica Brewing is a nano brewery based on the North Shore themed on mythology. It has a fully licensed tap room with 10 rotating beers and is open Thurs, Fri & Sat.
Rating
4.20Great
Popularity
Barely rated
9
Garage Project
Wellington, Wellington Region, New Zealand
What is Garage Project? Garage because it started in a garage, but it’s more than that. It’s also about approaching things with a garage mentality. It’s about playing around, making do and thinking outside the box. The surroundings might be basic but this is no barrier to creativity. This is bière de garage – beer from the garage. And why Project – because it’s ongoing, it’s a work in progress and we plan to keep it that way. For example, we don’t plan to come out with a fixed portfolio of beers – this is about experimenting, pushing boundaries, blurring the boundaries between styles - seeing what works. We love beer styles, but we want to take them somewhere, to reinterpret, not just reproduce them.
Rating
4.19Great
Popularity
Extremely widely rated
10
Epic Brewing Company
Auckland, New Zealand
Epic Brewing Company in Auckland, New Zealand is mainly inspired by its founder’s and brewer’s goal to make epic beers that will provide epic experience for people who love beers. Staying true to its name, Epic Brewing Company is dedicated in making craft beers that are great in their aromas, flavors and quality. Beers at Epic Brewery were formerly brewed at Steam Brewing Company. In 2007, Luke Nicholas took over the brewery. He studied the essence and importance of craft beers in California and developed love for American hops and ales. He took everything he learned and his passion for beers to the Epic Brewing Company. Since then, the brewery continues to thrive in its beers with varying flavors of malt, hops and aromas.
Rating
4.19Great
Popularity
Widely rated
11
Cell Division
Dunedin, Otago Region, New Zealand
Cell Division produce's high quality beer and is ranked #8 in New Zealand. They are most well known for "John Dough", which is a Berliner Weisse and "Super Mulberry!", which is a Berliner Weisse. Their primary focus is brewing Wild Ales and Sours.
Rating
4.18Great
Popularity
Barely rated
12
Behemoth Brewing Company
Auckland, New Zealand
Behemoth Brewing Company produce's high quality beer and is ranked #19 in New Zealand. They are most well known for "Lid Ripper - Hazy IPA", which is a New England IPA and "Brain Smiles - Hazy Pale Ale", which is a New England Pale Ale. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Pale Ales.
Rating
4.17Great
Popularity
Widely rated
13
Duncan's Brewing
Paraparaumu, Wellington Region, New Zealand
Duncan’s is an independently owned, and award winning microbrewery located on the Kāpiti Coast, New Zealand. We like to play with new style beers, and we love sending it with big fruity and creative brews. We think we make exceptional beer, and we’re proud as f*ck about it. Visit our brewery cellar door and walk away with a wild selection of dessert style and fruity beers. Everyday is a mouth party!
Rating
4.17Great
Popularity
Well rated
14
Workshop Brewing Company
Raglan, Waikato Region, New Zealand
Welcome to the Shed, 2 Park Drive Raglan 3225. Off-licence bottle shop, re-fillery and brewery all under one big-little shed. Fill your growlers straight from the source, alternatively, if a bottle is what you're after grab a frosty from the fridge. With 8 core range beers on tap and a selection of limited venue-only releases spanning a wide range of styles there's plenty to choose from. Can’t decide? We offer 30ml sample tastings to clarify the perfect drop. You’ll also find local harvest ciders, spritzers, sodas and kombucha ferments all turning over with the seasons. All our beverages are crafted in-house and we are proudly owned and operated in Raglan, New Zealand.
Rating
4.15Great
Popularity
Barely rated
15
Derelict Brewing
Rangiora, Canterbury Region, New Zealand
Let's go. Derelict Brewing is a small batch Brewery based in North Canterbury. New Zealand. We focus on producing quality, full flavoured and boundary pushing beers.
Rating
4.15Great
Popularity
Modestly rated
16
Altitude Brewing
Queenstown, Otago Region, New Zealand
NZ's champion small brewery of 2021 & 2025 is perched atop a small shelf on the south face of Double Cone. Here we brew our beers from the snow melt that surrounds us and utilise the perfect fermentation temperatures we find in the small crevices we call home. Each keg is then brought down from the peak by fixed ropes and then skied down to the Kawarau for delivery by raft. Whilst the above process might take a while and could possibly be stretching the truth...we believe that every beer should be an adventure. We brew for the love of it and the love of our people and environment.
Rating
4.14Great
Popularity
Modestly rated
17
Burkes Brewing Co
Twizel, Canterbury Region, New Zealand
Burkes Brewing Co produce's high quality beer and is ranked #15 in New Zealand. They are most well known for "#FAKENEWS", which is a New England IPA and "Mackenzie Pale Ale", which is an International Pale Ale. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Pale Ales.
Rating
4.14Great
Popularity
Lightly rated
18
Brave Brewing Co.
Hastings, Hawke's Bay Region, New Zealand
Brave Brewing Co. is a friendly, neighbourhood brewery situated in the heart of Hastings, Hawke's Bay. At the heart of the brewery is a commitment to fostering connection.
Rating
4.14Great
Popularity
Modestly rated
19
LazerWolf Brewery
Christchurch, Canterbury Region, New Zealand
Lazerwolf Brewery was born out of the Christchurch homebrew scene after a string of successful beers and numerous awards including 3 Gold Medals. A passion was born in mixed ferment, unconventional and big heavy abv brewing. Dan works on a nanobrewery level to bring you new and inventive brews pouring locally. He is also pretty stoked to have picked up 5 medals brewing out of BEERs at the 2022 Brewers Guild Awards. He has a passion for using local and fresh ingredients to celebrate all things brewing, and is always keen to help out in the brewing scene. Feel free to swing on by and say hi! Check out Lazerwolfhomebrew on Youtube.
Rating
4.13Great
Popularity
Barely rated
20
ChinChiller Brewing
Kaiapoi, Canterbury Region, New Zealand
ChinChiller is obsessed with quality. We are always looking at how we can do and be better! Better for our people, better for our product and customers, and better for our environment. Better Beer with Better People doing better for our planet!
Rating
4.13Great
Popularity
Lightly rated
21
Birkenhead Brewing Company
Auckland, New Zealand
QUALITY BEER WITH HERITAGE. The Birkenhead Brewing Company is passionate about great beer. We set about creating a full experience with our Tasting Studio in Auckland too which is our global HQ.
Rating
4.12Great
Popularity
Lightly rated
22
Shining Peak Brewing
New Plymouth, Taranaki Region, New Zealand
Shining Peak Brewing produce's high quality beer and is ranked #24 in New Zealand. They are most well known for "Skunk Juice Hazy IPA", which is a New England IPA and "Highwayman APA", which is an American Pale Ale. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Pale Ales.
Rating
4.12Great
Popularity
Modestly rated
23
Brewaucracy
Hamilton, Waikato Region, New Zealand
Making traditional (and sometimes less traditional) styles with integrity and heart since 2011. We're not trendy. We just love good beer, and we want to make it for you.
Rating
4.11Great
Popularity
Lightly rated
24
Three Sisters Brewery
New Plymouth, Taranaki Region, New Zealand
Rating
4.11Great
Popularity
Modestly rated
25
Karamu Barrelworks
Karamu, Hawke's Bay Region, New Zealand
Rating
4.11Great
Popularity
Barely rated
26
Steam Brewing Company
Auckland, New Zealand
Steam Brewing Company produce's fine quality beer and is ranked #43 in New Zealand. They are most well known for "Intrinsic IPA", which is an American IPA and "Powerhouse XPA", which is an English Pale Ale. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Belgian Ales.
Rating
4.09Great
Popularity
Barely rated
27
Napier Brewing
Napier, Hawke's Bay Region, New Zealand
Napier's own - Corporate free beer! Like all brewers we aim use the best and deliver a high quality interpretation of popular styles with our own passion and fun. Napiers Rogue Hop is where you will find our irregular brews!
Rating
4.08Great
Popularity
Barely rated
28
Sawmill Brewery
Matakana, Auckland, New Zealand
We are an independent, New Zealand owned brewery run by a small team. For 20 years we have been brewing fresh quality beer using New Zealand grown hops and malted barley. Independence means thinking for ourselves. We have an ethos of resourcefulness and creativity in how our brewery is run. We are proud to be New Zealand’s first B Corp certified Brewery. We want our beer to taste clean and to honour the ingredients. We are in to making styles that have been around for a long time and seeing how they turn out in our hands, and in our brewery. These beers have a heritage and yet making them up north will always give them an edge. We appreciate our place. This raw landscape has a bearing on everything we do and people here are resourceful, creative and hardworking.
Rating
3.95Fine
Popularity
Well rated
29
Parrotdog
Wellington, Wellington Region, New Zealand
Parrotdog produce's fine quality beer and is ranked #30 in New Zealand. They are most well known for "Bitterbitch", which is an Other IPA and "Birdseye", which is a New England IPA. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Pale Ales.
Rating
3.94Fine
Popularity
Well rated
30
Panhead Brewery
Upper Hutt, Wellington Region, New Zealand
Rating
3.92Fine
Popularity
Well rated
31
Hop Federation
Riwaka, Tasman Region, New Zealand
Hop Federation produce's good quality beer and is ranked #35 in New Zealand. They are most well known for "Pilsner", which is a New Zealand Pilsner and "Red IPA", which is a Red IPA. Their primary focus is brewing Pale Lagers and IPAs.
Rating
3.92Fine
Popularity
Modestly rated
32
8 Wired
Warkworth, Auckland, New Zealand
8 Wired Brewery is created by Soren Eriksen. This brewery originated in Marlborough, New Zealand and has thrived through simply renting supplies from the Renaissance Brewing Company. In New Zealand, the no. 8 wire is a gauge of wire that is used for electric fencing, which the Kiwis have always used to create and fix anything. This Kiwi mentality became the inspiration to the birth of ‘8 Wired’ with a purpose of maximizing the resources available in an effort to produce wide variety of refreshing and unique flavors of beer. Currently, 8 Wired Brewery beers are available to New Zealand, United States, Canada, Australia and Denmark. Relocated to Warkworth in 2015
Rating
3.90Fine
Popularity
Widely rated
33
Small Gods
Auckland, New Zealand
Small Gods is a brewing project dedicated to collaborative, historical and experimental brewing aiming to keep history alive by bringing ancient beer styles and fascinating legends to light with a modern twist. They named their brewery Small Gods in honour of the yeasts and Terry Pratchett. The names of our beers are all dedicated to religious and mythological figures throughout history.
Rating
3.90Fine
Popularity
Lightly rated
34
Emerson's Brewery
Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand
Emerson's Brewery produce's decent quality beer and is ranked #45 in New Zealand. They are most well known for "Pilsner", which is a New Zealand Pilsner and "1812", which is an English Pale Ale. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Pale Ales.
Rating
3.90Fine
Popularity
Well rated
35
Liberty Brewing
Helensville, Auckland, New Zealand
Liberty Brewing produce's world class beer and is ranked #2 in New Zealand. They are most well known for "Yakima Monster", which is an American Pale Ale and "Knife Party", which is an American IPA. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Pale Ales.
Rating
3.90Fine
Popularity
Well rated
36
Liberty Brewing
Auckland, New Zealand
Liberty Brewing produce's world class beer and is ranked #2 in New Zealand. They are most well known for "Yakima Monster", which is an American Pale Ale and "Knife Party", which is an American IPA. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Pale Ales.
Rating
3.90Fine
Popularity
Well rated
37
Urbanaut Brewing
Auckland, New Zealand
Worldly Beers from Kingsland, Auckland, New Zealand. Urbanaut Beer is made for the worldly explorer. The one who finds comfort in unfamiliar surroundings, thrives off a foreign atmosphere, and uses diverse urban environments to shape their perspective as a global citizen. Urbanaut Beers are designed to celebrate the cities that inspired their creation. Whether you know the destination well, or yearn to explore it someday, every sip will give you a taste of the culture no matter where you are in the world.
Rating
3.88Fine
Popularity
Well rated
38
Punk Heads Brewing
Auckland, New Zealand
Punk was never about the music, it was about the attitude. Injected with a bit of steam punk, the Punk Heads brand was born. Coming soon a series of beers, each one with it’s own bad attitude.
Rating
3.88Fine
Popularity
Barely rated
39
Boneface
Upper Hutt, Wellington, New Zealand
We'll make no bones about it. To brew the finest beer in the motu you've got to show some backbone. Stick your neck out and put your shoulder to the wheel. You can feel it every time you bend an elbow with a fresh glass of Boneface. Our brewbar in Upper Hutt is a pretty hip joint too so shake a leg and come down for a knees up whenever you're in town.
Rating
3.87Fine
Popularity
Modestly rated
40
Canyon Brewing
Queenstown, Otago, New Zealand
For over a hundred and fifty years Skippers Canyon has been the place people come to do grand, glorious, brave and ill-advised things. We thought it was high time someone tried doing something cold, tasty and delicious. Canyon is an award-winning craft brewery in Arthur's Point, Queenstown. We love fresh ingredients with no artificial nasties and the purest mountain water right out the front door. Fall off a bridge, raft unchartered waters, flip into some backcountry powder pits and pour a tasty Canyon brew. Here's to the bold, the brave, and the plain old stupid. Canyon Brewery, Beer for the bold.
Rating
3.87Fine
Popularity
Modestly rated
41
Volstead Brewing Company
Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand
Volstead Brewing Company produce's fine quality beer and is ranked #40 in New Zealand. They are most well known for "Hazy Sir Sauvin", which is a New England IPA and "Riwaka Hazy", which is a New England IPA. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Pale Ales.
Rating
3.87Fine
Popularity
Lightly rated
42
Wilderness Brewing
Christchurch, Canterbury Region, New Zealand
Wilderness Brewing produce's high quality beer and is ranked #13 in New Zealand. They are most well known for "Maple Like Jagger", which is an Imperial Milk Stout and "Brombees", which is a Flanders Red Ale. Their primary focus is brewing Wild Ales and Sours.
Rating
3.86Fine
Popularity
Lightly rated
43
Lakeman Brewing Co
Taupō, Waikato, New Zealand
On the shores of the great Lake Taupõ, tales abound of a mythical beer-drinking beast. He’s a big hairy bugger and the locals call him Lakeman. But there’s something that sets him apart from other mythical beer-drinking beasts. Lakeman fancies craft beer, you see. And because you never want to get on the wrong side of such a creature, we created a brewery in his honour. It’s called Lakeman Brewing Co, and is fast becoming the stuff of legend around these parts. One taste and you’ll know why. Lakeman is brewed from Taupo’s purest natural water and boasts malty, hoppy flavours as big as the myth itself. So if you spot one, don’t be afraid. Just coax it gently to the nearest bar leaner, raise it to your lips and get it down you, you big hairy beast.
Rating
3.86Fine
Popularity
Modestly rated
44
Brew Union Brewing Company
Palmerston North, Manawatū-Whanganui Region, New Zealand
Rating
3.86Fine
Popularity
Barely rated
45
There Be Dragons
New Zealand
There Be Dragons produce's fine quality beer and is ranked #43 in New Zealand. They are most well known for "Royal Blood", which is a Wild Ale and "Chasing Harvest Ale 2012", which is an Other. Their primary focus is brewing Wild Ales and Amber Ales.
Rating
3.86Fine
Popularity
Barely rated
46
Shunters Yard Brewing Limited
Tamahere, Waikato, New Zealand
Shunters Yard Brewing Limited produce's fine quality beer and is ranked #44 in New Zealand. They are most well known for "Station Master", which is an English IPA and "Midnight Special", which is an Other Stout. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Pale Lagers.
Rating
3.86Fine
Popularity
Barely rated
47
BEERS by Bacon Bros
Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand
Action Packed BEERS! Smashing out a total of 200 beers in 200 days! Now we are canning some of our favourites, and also creating 100 new beers this year! Check out our venue in Christchurch.
Rating
3.86Fine
Popularity
Modestly rated
48
Rhyme X Reason Brewery
Wanaka, Otago, New Zealand
The little brewery that cans We’re a small crew of wacky beatles brewing, packaging and distributing our awesome range of beers across New Zealand, whilst pouring on-site, throwing kick-ass live events and collaborating with our pals around town - all under one roof.
Rating
3.86Fine
Popularity
Modestly rated
49
Double Vision Brewing
Wellington, New Zealand
At your Miramar local, we simply aspire to create the kind of damn fine beer that delivers mouth parties and brings a bit of character. We enjoy spending our waking hours taking a second look at what defines a traditional style, and from there, we give the recipe boundaries a bit of a nudge. Yeah sure it might not please the Purity Police… but actually, we’re good with that.
Rating
3.85Fine
Popularity
Well rated
50
Whakatipu Brewing
Queenstown, Otago, New Zealand
Whakatipu Brewing is the perfect place for family, friends and soon-to-be-friends to unwind after a day of adventure. Fresh craft beers, quality burgers and banter in a cosy space with a fun crew to look after you.
Rating
3.85Fine
Popularity
Barely rated