New Zealand's Favorite Beer: A Cultural Drinking Experience

New Zealand is a beer-loving nation, with beer accounting for around 60% of alcohol sales. The country's beer-making history dates back to the late 18th century when Europeans introduced the major ingredients for brewing. Today, New Zealand boasts a diverse range of beer styles, from the dominant lagers to craft beers and ales. The two largest breweries, Lion Nathan and DB Breweries, control almost 90% of sales by volume, but there are also over 150 smaller craft breweries and brewpubs offering a wide range of unique beer styles. The country's craft beer market is known for its innovation and progressive approach, utilising New Zealand's ideal climate for barley and hops cultivation.

Popular New Zealand beers

New Zealand has a thriving beer-making culture, with around 150 commercial breweries, microbreweries and brewpubs. Beer is the most popular alcoholic drink in the country, making up 60- 63% of alcohol sales. The majority of beer produced in New Zealand is a type of lager, either pale or amber in colour, and typically 4-5% alcohol by volume.

The two largest breweries, Lion Nathan and DB Breweries, control almost 90% of sales by volume. However, there are also many smaller craft breweries producing a wide range of beer styles, including ales, porters and stouts. Here are some of the most popular beers in New Zealand:

Speight's

Part of the Lion Breweries family, Speight's is an iconic and affordable beer that has been a favourite among Kiwis for generations. The brand's success has led to the opening of Speight's Alehouses across the country.

Garage Project

A pioneering craft brewery founded in 2011, Garage Project is known for its innovative approach and experimental beers. They have crafted over 300 distinct brews and have earned accolades like Champion Large Brewery at the New Zealand Beer Awards in 2021 and 2022.

Tui

Tui is an iconic Kiwi beer that has been quenching thirsts since 1889. With its refreshing amber colour and subtle bitter kick, it's the perfect choice for casual get-togethers. Its cheeky marketing campaigns have also made it a cultural icon in New Zealand.

Monteith's

Nestled on the rugged West Coast of New Zealand's South Island, Monteith's Brewery offers a unique beer experience. They are known for their innovative approach and diverse range, combining traditional brewing methods with Kiwi ingenuity to create distinctive flavours.

Emerson's

Founded in 1992 in Dunedin, Emerson's has become a beloved South Island brewery. Their core range includes a refreshing Pilsner, the malty 1812, the balanced Bookbinder, and the rich London Porter. They are also known for their unpasteurised ales and use of top-quality ingredients.

Mac's

Mac's is a pioneer in New Zealand's craft beer movement and has become a household name since its launch in 1981. They offer a diverse range of brews, including the popular Mac's Gold and Black Mac. Now owned by Lion, Mac's continues to be known for its quality and flavour.

Tuatara

Handcrafted in Paraparaumu, Tuatara Brewery blends traditional techniques with modern flair, sourcing top-notch ingredients from around the globe. Known for their creative craft beers that celebrate local flavours, Tuatara has become a household name among beer enthusiasts in New Zealand.

Yeastie Boys

Yeastie Boys is an independent craft brewery founded in 2008 in Wellington. They are known for their innovative and irreverent approach to brewing, matching their beers with music and culture rather than traditional food pairings. Their American-style porter, "Pot Kettle Black", has become a cultural icon.

DB Breweries

DB Breweries has been quenching Kiwi thirsts since the 1930s, offering a range of beers from the crisp DB Draught to the robust DB Export. With facilities across New Zealand, DB maintains a strong foothold in the country's beer scene, blending tradition with innovation.

The country's craft beer scene

New Zealand's craft beer scene is thriving, with over 150 small craft breweries and brewpubs producing a diverse range of beer styles. The country's craft beer market is varied and progressive, with a full range of ales and lagers, and New Zealand is fortunate to lie in an ideal latitude for barley and hops cultivation. The craft beer movement in New Zealand began in the 1980s, with Mac's Brewery in Nelson being the oldest craft brewery in the country, established in 1981.

The Garage Project, founded in 2011, is a pioneering craft brewery in Wellington known for its innovative approach. They have crafted over 300 distinct brews and have earned accolades for their experimental and ambitious projects. Garage Project has a strong presence in the New Zealand craft beer scene, with their beers featuring heavily in lists of the country's best craft beers.

Another notable craft brewery is Yeastie Boys, an independent brewery founded in 2008 in Wellington. They are known for their unique approach to brewing, matching their beers with music and culture rather than traditional food pairings. Their American-style porter, "Pot Kettle Black", is a popular favourite among beer enthusiasts.

Emerson's, founded in 1992 in Dunedin, is a beloved South Island brewery that offers a range of refreshing beers, including their core range of Pilsner, 1812, Bookbinder, and London Porter. They are known for their unpasteurised ales and the use of top-quality ingredients and unique brewing techniques.

Epic, founded in 2006 in Auckland, is a craft brewery celebrated for its hop-forward creations. Their diverse range includes pale ale, lager, and award-winning varieties like "Armageddon I.P.A" and "Hop Zombie". Despite a brief hiccup in 2023, Epic remains a staple in New Zealand's craft beer landscape.

Other notable craft breweries in New Zealand include 8 Wired, Tuatara, Renaissance Brewing, Hallertau, and Sprig & Fern Brewing Co. These breweries offer a range of innovative and award-winning beers, from imperial stouts to sour ales, showcasing the creativity and talent within the country's craft beer scene.

The biggest breweries

New Zealand has more breweries per capita than the US, UK, and Australia, with 218 breweries across the country. The country's beer industry is worth $2.3 billion, and employs 22,000 people directly and indirectly.

The two largest breweries in New Zealand are Lion Nathan and DB Breweries, which together control almost 90% of sales by volume. Lion Nathan was established in 1840 and is owned by the Japanese company Kirin. DB Breweries is owned by Heineken, based in the Netherlands. These two companies produce 83% of the beer brewed in New Zealand.

Lion Breweries' brands include Speight's, Steinlager, Mac's, Emerson's, Little Creatures, Crafty Beggars, Guinness, Kirin, Budweiser, Pacifico, Stella Artois, and Corona. DB Breweries' brands include DB Draught, DB Export, Heineken, Monteith Brewing Company, Orchard Thieves cider, Murphy's Irish Stout, Rekorderlig Cider, Sol, and Tiger.

In addition to these two giants, there are over 150 smaller craft breweries and brewpubs in New Zealand, producing a wide range of beer styles, including ales, porters, and stouts. The craft beer market in New Zealand is varied and progressive, with a full range of ale and lager styles being brewed.

History of beer in New Zealand

Beer is the most popular alcoholic drink in New Zealand, accounting for 60-63% of the alcohol available for sale. The country is ranked 27th in global beer consumption per capita, with an average of 64.7 litres per person per year.

The history of beer in New Zealand dates back to the late 18th century when Europeans introduced the major ingredients for brewing. Captain James Cook is recorded to have brewed the first beer in New Zealand, on 27 March 1773. While anchored on Resolution Island in Dusky Sound, Fiordland, he experimented with young rimu branches and leaves, wort, molasses, and mānuka (tea tree) leaves to create a beverage that resembled beer. This brew was intended as a treatment for scurvy, a common ailment among sailors at the time.

In 1835, Joel Samuel Polack established New Zealand's first commercial brewery in Kororareka (now Russell) in the Bay of Islands. During the 19th century, as immigrants from Great Britain and Ireland arrived, their brewing methods and styles were introduced, leading to the popularity of ales, porters, and stouts.

The temperance movement gained momentum in New Zealand during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with prohibition gaining 49% of the vote in a 1919 national referendum. While prohibition was ultimately defeated, a 6 pm closing time for licensed premises was implemented and remained in place until 1967. This gave rise to the "six o'clock swill" culture, influencing the drinking habits and beer styles in the country.

In the 1930s, New Zealander Morton Coutts invented the continuous fermentation process, leading to a shift from ales to lagers. The style of beer made by this method became known as New Zealand Draught and gained widespread popularity during the period of early closing times.

By the 1970s, Lion Breweries and Dominion Breweries dominated the market, with almost all brewing concerns owned by these two companies. However, the 1980s saw the emergence of small boutique and microbreweries, increasing the variety of beer styles available. Mac's Brewery, founded in 1981 in Nelson, was one of the pioneers of this movement.

In recent years, there has been a decline in the demand for standard and economy lager options, while ale production has thrived among small independent breweries and brewpubs. The craft beer market in New Zealand is diverse and dynamic, with a wide range of ale and lager styles being brewed. The country's favourable climate for barley and hops cultivation has further contributed to the growth of craft beer and microbreweries.

Beer tourism

New Zealand is a nation of beer lovers, with around 150 commercial breweries, microbreweries, and brewpubs. Beer is the most popular alcoholic drink in the country, accounting for 60-63% of alcohol sales. The country's beer tourism scene is thriving, with a variety of breweries offering tours, tastings, and unique experiences. Here is a guide to some of the best beer tourism destinations in New Zealand:

Speight's Brewery

Speight's is an iconic New Zealand beer brand, quenching Kiwi thirsts for generations. The Speight's Brewery in Dunedin offers an insightful tour of their brewing process, along with beer tastings. The brand's success has led to the opening of Speight's Alehouses across the country, providing refreshing pints to locals and tourists alike.

Garage Project

Garage Project, founded in 2011 in Wellington's Aro Valley, is a pioneering craft brewery known for its innovative and experimental approach to brewing. They have crafted over 300 distinct brews and have been awarded Champion Large Brewery at the New Zealand Beer Awards in 2021 and 2022. Visitors can sample their creations at the Cellar Door in Wellington or their taproom in Auckland.

Tui Brewery

Tui Brewery offers an affordable and iconic Kiwi beer-drinking experience. The Tui East India Pale Ale, with its refreshing amber colour and subtle bitter kick, has been a popular choice since 1889. The brand is also known for its cheeky marketing campaigns, mastering the art of Kiwi humour. The Mangatainoka Brewery, where Tui is produced, has become a landmark and a must-visit destination for beer enthusiasts.

Monteith's Brewery

Nestled on the rugged West Coast of New Zealand's South Island, Monteith's Brewery in Greymouth offers a unique beer experience. Known for their innovative approach, Monteith's brewers create diverse ranges, from classic ales to seasonal specialties, combining traditional brewing methods with Kiwi ingenuity. Visitors can take a fascinating brewery tour or indulge in a tasting session to explore their diverse flavours.

Emerson's Brewery

Founded in 1992 in Dunedin, Emerson's has become a beloved South Island brewery. Their core range includes a refreshing Pilsner, the malty 1812, the balanced Bookbinder, and the rich London Porter. They are also known for their unpasteurised ales and the use of top-quality ingredients and unique brewing techniques. A visit to Emerson's offers a chance to sample some of the most celebrated craft beers in New Zealand.

Mac's Brewery

Mac's Brewery, founded in 1981 in Nelson, is a pioneer in New Zealand's craft beer movement. They offer a diverse range of brews, including the popular Mac's Gold and Black Mac. Mac's brewbars nationwide provide beer enthusiasts with a selection of seven beers, as well as unique non-alcoholic offerings like ginger beer and a feijoa, pear, and elderflower drink. A visit to Mac's offers a taste of their distinctive flavours and a glimpse into their innovative spirit.

Boundary Road Brewery

Boundary Road Brewery, located in various regions across New Zealand, offers a range of craft beers, including their APA (American Pale Ale), Hazy IPA, Hazy Pale Ale, and Laid-Back Lager. Each brew has its unique flavour profile, from citrus notes to floral and fruity characteristics. A visit to one of their breweries provides an opportunity to taste their innovative creations and learn about their brewing processes.

New Zealand Beer Festivals and Events

In addition to visiting breweries, beer enthusiasts can also attend various beer festivals and events across New Zealand. The New Zealand Beer Awards, hosted by the Brewers Guild of New Zealand, celebrates the best beers in the country. Other notable events include Beervana, a festival showcasing a wide range of craft beers, and the New World Beer and Cider Awards, recognising the top beers in various categories. These events provide an excellent opportunity to sample a diverse range of New Zealand beers and connect with other beer enthusiasts.

Frequently asked questions