Best Beer Tours of Auckland

If you want to know an alternative side of Auckland, away from the paradisiacal beaches and landscapes perfect for the best pictures of your trip, you can take a beer tour to learn about the history of one of the typical local beverages while tasting the best varieties.

Among the best things to see and do to get to know Auckland during a beer tour are taking a walk through the urban craft brewery circuit, touring Hobbiton, the natural setting of The Lord of the Rings, and tasting a drink at the Green Dragon Tavern and taking a beer and dinner tour of the city's best pubs.

If you are a craft beer lover and you find yourself in Auckland, you can't miss the opportunity to join an Urban Craft Beer Tour. These tours are a great way to explore the city's craft beer scene and sample some of the best beverages Auckland has to offer.

During the tour, you'll get to visit some of the city's most popular craft breweries, meet the brewers and learn about the brewing process. You will also taste a variety of malts, from the most classic to the most exotic and experimental. In addition, you can combine these experiences with Auckland's best food tours.

One of the must-see stops on the tour is the Garage Project Brewery, known for its unique beers and vibrant, modern atmosphere. You can also visit Hallertau Brewery, which is located in a beautiful rural area on the outskirts of Auckland and is famous for its craft beers brewed with local ingredients. You can get there by public transport or on Auckland's hop on-hop off buses.

The tour also includes visits to smaller breweries, such as Brothers Beer and Urbanaut Brewery, where you can sample some of the most cutting edge and experimental beers. If you plan to visit Auckland in October, you can also take part in the local Oktober Fest, a traveling festival that includes discounts and celebrations at local breweries.

In addition to sampling the beer, you can also explore some of the city's most interesting neighborhoods such as Ponsonby, Grey Lynn and Kingsland, which have a wealth of bars and restaurants offering an excellent selection of craft beers and local cuisine and are usually included in the best tours of Auckland.

Details of interest

• Price: these tours have an initial cost of approximately 98 euros per person, including tastings and the assistance of an expert local guide.
• Duration: approximately 4 hours and a half.
• Advantages of these tours: you will get to know the typical and central circuit of Auckland's breweries.
• Disadvantages of these tours: you will have little time at each site and almost no opportunity to rest.

If you are a fan of The Lord of the Rings trilogy and you are in Auckland, you can not miss the opportunity to take a tour to Hobbiton with beer tasting at the Green Dragon Tavern, an experience in which you can combine the work of J. R. R. R. Tolkien with a gastronomic tour.

The tour begins in Matamata, a small town located in the Waikato region, where the Hobbiton film set is located. Upon arrival at the set, you will be greeted by a guide who will take you on a tour of the picturesque trails and hobbit cottages on the hillside. You will be able to see Sam's garden, the famous feast tree and Bilbo Baggins' house.

However, the real surprise will come at the end of the tour, when you will be invited into the Green Dragon tavern. This tavern, located in the heart of Hobbiton, is famous for its craft beer and cozy, homey atmosphere.

There you can enjoy a tasting that includes Hobbiton's exclusive beer, brewed especially for the film set. You can also try the specialty of the Green Dragon Tavern, a refreshing golden ale with notes of malt and hops. All in all, you'll find this site one of the best full-day excursions from Auckland.

In addition, the Green Dragon Tavern also offers a selection of Hobbit-inspired meals and snacks, such as meatloaf, cheese, homemade bread and fruit pies. If you consider yourself an adventurer, you can also try the hobbit's favorite drink: cider.

Details of interest

• Price: these tours have an initial cost of approximately 182 euros per person, including tastings and the assistance of an expert local guide.
• Duration: approximately 10 hours.
• Advantages of these tours: you will be able to combine a brewing experience with a tour of the Lord of the Rings film set.
• Disadvantages of these tours: you will not have free time to tour the site on your own, but only within the guided tour.

The best pairing of beer is the local New Zealand food, so in these tours you will be able to combine the best of both worlds, since in addition to touring the bars, you will also be able to dine in a typical restaurant. These tours offer a good alternative to combine visitors' favorite options.

During the tour, a guide will take you to some of Auckland's best bars and pubs, where you can sample a variety of local craft beers and innovative snacks. The tour includes a full dinner, consisting of a selection of local dishes, specially selected to go with the beers.

One of the must-see stops on the tour is the Hallertau Brewery, which is located in a beautiful rural area on the outskirts of Auckland and is famous for its craft beers brewed with local ingredients. Here you can sample some of the region's best beers, such as IPA and wheat beer, while enjoying a delicious seafood platter or a gourmet burger.

You can also visit local bars such as Brothers Beer brewery, where you can sample some of Auckland's most striking beers, and the Neighbourhood bar, which offers an excellent selection of craft beers and craft cocktails. If you plan to visit Auckland in summer, when the temperature is more pleasant, you can make the most of your visit and walk around each neighborhood.

In addition to beer and dining, you can also explore some of the city's most interesting neighborhoods such as Ponsonby, Grey Lynn and Kingsland, which have a wealth of bars and restaurants that offer an excellent selection of craft beers and local food and are often included in the best food tours of Auckland.

Details of interest

• Price: these tours have a starting cost of approximately €87 per person, including tastings and the assistance of an expert local guide.
• Duration: approximately 5 hours.
• Advantages of these tours: you will be able to taste the best beers in Auckland and enjoy a dinner recommended by the guide.
• Disadvantages of these tours: you will not have enough time to tour the neighborhoods on your own in the middle of the tour, so you will have to come back at another time or stay there once the tour is over.

If you want to discover the real craft beer of Auckland, which is known for being home to some of the best breweries in New Zealand, then you can opt for these tours, which will give you the opportunity to get a close look at the brewing process and taste some of the region's best brews.

The Auckland Craft Breweries Tour includes visits to several local breweries such as the Epic Brewing Company, founded by master brewer Luke Nicholas. There you can sample some of New Zealand's most innovative and award-winning beers such as Hop Zombie, a hoppy IPA.

Another brewery you can visit is Sawmill Brewery, located in the picturesque seaside town of Matakana. This craft brewery is famous for its Pilsner, a refreshing blonde variety with notes of hops and malt. It is also ideal if you plan to visit Auckland in winter, as it is a full-bodied beer, especially for colder climates.

In rural Riverhead, just minutes from downtown Auckland, you can visit the Hallertau Brewery, which is famous for its beers brewed with local ingredients, such as wheat beer and IPA. In addition, these tours are short in duration, so they are ideal if you are planning a short stay in the city. If that is your case, here is a list of things to do in Auckland in 3 days.

At each of the breweries, visitors can learn about the process of brewing craft beer, from malt milling to fermentation and bottling. In addition, they will be able to taste a selection from the brewery, including some of the exclusive beers not found anywhere else.

Interesting details

• Price: these tours have an initial cost of approximately 95 euros per person, including tastings, the assistance of an expert local guide and transfers to the rural area.
• Duration: approximately 4 hours.
• Advantages of these excursions: you will get to know the breweries and you will be able to have direct contact with the brewers to learn about the brewing process of each beer.
• Disadvantages of these tours: they are for small groups, so you must book in advance.

You can book a beer tour in advance online or book it once you are in the city, although if you plan to visit Auckland at Christmas or during the summer months, which is part of the high season, I advise you to reserve your place to avoid being left out of the experience on the day and time you want.

Also keep in mind that prices are dynamic in New Zealand , so if you book in advance you can freeze the price, secure your spot and avoid last minute price increases.

The answer will depend on the excursion you choose, but generally on these tours you will get to see Auckland's craft breweries, which are part of the city's typical product circuit, as well as sample the beverages and also regional foods.

You will also get to know some of the most characteristic neighborhoods of the city, which outside of these excursions you could only get to know on Auckland bike tours or hop on-hop off bus tours of the city.

If you are planning a beer tour in Auckland, here are some useful tips to make the most of the experience:

• Do your research before you go: before you start your Auckland beer tour, research the breweries you'd like to visit. Check their schedules, prices and if you need reservations. Also, check reviews and opinions from other visitors to get an idea of what to expect at each location, especially if you want to stay there after the tour is over.
• Make sure you have a designated driver: most breweries offer beer tastings, so it's important to have a designated driver to avoid driving under the influence of alcohol. If you do not have a designated driver, consider using public transportation, such as buses or cabs, to return to your lodging after the tour.
• Try different types of beer: One of the best features of these tours is trying different types of beer. Don't limit yourself to what you already know, experiment with different styles, from light beers to darker and stronger beers.
• Eat something between each tasting: Even if the main focus of the tour is the beer, don't forget to eat something to keep your energy up and keep the alcohol from getting to you too quickly. Many breweries offer food to accompany their beers and other tours include dinner, so be sure to try something while you enjoy your drink.
• Have fun and be responsible: A beer tour can be a lot of fun, but it's important to be responsible and respect the brewery's rules. Don't drink too fast and don't try to take beer home if the brewery doesn't allow it. Enjoy the experience, but always in moderation.

Taking a beer tour in Auckland is recommended because you will be able to try a wide variety of beers, many of which are not usually available elsewhere. These types of tours will allow you to try different varieties of the beverage, from classic pilsners to darker and more flavorful stouts.

Also, if you are a beer aficionado, you can learn about the brewing process. During these tours you will learn from the selection of ingredients to the bottling system. You will also learn about the history of beer in New Zealand, its importance in the country's culture and some colorful curiosities. Did you know that the Maori already consumed a variant of this drink?

Another reason to take a beer tour is that you will experience a local custom, as New Zealanders are known for their love of beer and the relaxed and welcoming atmosphere found in the bars and breweries of Auckland. You will be able to experience this culture up close and meet other beer lovers along the way.

Last but not least, as these tours are itinerant, you will be able to discover new places in Auckland, such as local breweries, bars and restaurants.