Discover Wellington's most outstanding craft beers, from the New Zealand capital of craft brewing. This guide explores the best breweries and bars in the city, from iconic establishments to hidden gems. It's ideal for craft beer enthusiasts seeking new experiences and unique flavours within the vibrant local scene. Find your next favourite beer and the essential spots to enjoy it.
Easy-drinking beer
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This craft beer stands out for its complex and balanced flavor profile, combining fruity and citrus notes with a subtle bitterness. Its easy-drinking character and representation of Wellington's brewing culture make it a highly regarded choice in the region.
Sessionable in strength
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Garage Project Hapi Daze stands out for its balanced flavor profile, combining tropical notes and a lingering bitterness with high drinkability. Its brewing with New Zealand hops like Motueka and Nelson Sauvin gives it a distinctive and refreshing character, highly valued in Wellington's craft beer scene.
Well-loved by a broad range of beer lovers
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This American Pale Ale offers an unbeatable combination of American hops like Centennial, Citra, and Simcoe, overwhelming the palate with intense tropical flavors and pronounced bitterness. Its balance between the hop explosion and a smooth malt base makes it a bold and refreshing beer experience.
Aromas and flavours true to style
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This Hazy IPA from Waitoa Brewery stands out for its fresh and clean flavor profile, with aromas and tastes true to style, making it very refreshing. Its full body and easy-drinking character, along with its origin in Hātaitai, Wellington, establish it as a prominent craft beer in the region.
Hazy appearance
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Wellington Brewery Upside IPA stands out for its juicy and balanced flavor profile, with a burst of tropical fruit and citrus notes that make it very refreshing. Its New England IPA style offers a smooth and easy-drinking experience, with a well-integrated high ABV that doesn't feel heavy, making it an exceptional choice for craft beer enthusiasts.
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Nice and hoppy taste with ruby grapefruit and tangelos
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This IPA offers a distinctive flavor profile with tropical New Zealand hops and a balanced bitterness, complemented by a rich malt base. Its evolution into a mellower, more complex IPA makes it a standout choice for craft beer enthusiasts in Wellington.
Soothing vanilla notes
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Kereru Brewing Co. Forager is a gluten-free Dark Lager that provides an inclusive, high-quality option for craft beer enthusiasts in Wellington. Its careful brewing ensures it is celiac safe, broadening its appeal in the local market. The beer represents Kereru Brewing Company's dedication to innovation and the production of unique, accessible brews.
Juicy, potent, very hop-forward IPA
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This IPA stands out for its juicy, hop-forward flavor profile, balancing fresh stone fruit with sticky, piney notes. Its 8.0% ABV makes it a robust beer that delivers a complex and satisfying taste experience. The Base Jumper IPA is appreciated for its smoothness, achieved through dry-hopping, allowing its intensity to be enjoyed without overwhelming bitterness.
Enjoyed by everyone
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This Cold India Pale Ale from Boneface Brewing Co. stands out for its intense hoppy profile and freshness, offering a vibrant flavor experience. Its quality and the recognition it has received establish it as a prominent craft beer in the Wellington region. It is an IPA that has been praised for its balance and its ability to fill the air with its distinctive aromas.
Our methodology for ranking the best craft beers in Wellington is based on a combination of editorial expertise and valuable feedback from the beer community. We aim to highlight beers that are not only high quality but also represent the vibrant craft beer scene in the region.