New Zealand Visit

Discussion in 'Australia' started by bahns, Jul 7, 2015.

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  1. bahns

    bahns Devotee (380) Mar 22, 2011 Illinois
    Trader

    I'm tremendously excited to be visiting NZ from Chicago in about a week. We are starting in Auckland, stopping in Rotorua, and then heading to Queenstown. Any suggestions for solid craft bars, breweries, or stores to look out for in these places?

    I have some relatives living over there now who unfortunately don't really drink beer but have pointed me in the direction of Vultures Lane in Auckland http://vultureslane.co.nz/

    Any other tips would be most appreciated. Cheers!
     
    #1 bahns, Jul 7, 2015
  2. sinkas

    sinkas Initiate (0) Jul 9, 2008 Australia

    have you searched ?
     
    #2 sinkas, Jul 8, 2015
  3. dundeestalacerveza

    dundeestalacerveza Initiate (0) Jul 2, 2015 Michigan

    Be nice to the locals.Kind of goes without saying. But.... they have a view of Americans as arrogant arseholes that only like Bud Weiser and Mcdonalds....
    Embrace the culture. They are very proud of their little country and have every right to be.
    I toured the North and South Island for about 8 months, worked in vineyards and at sheep station.And various other odd jobs.
    Drank gallons of beer in local pubs along the way.
    I would start with going to vultures lane a day buying a pint of whatever the locals are having. Then ask around. There are a ton of great places in Auckland..
    When in Rotorua be prepared to drink loads of Steinlager and vita stout.
    You are gonna luv luv luv New Zealand.. good luck and Cheers Mate
    Feel free to contact me with any other questions.... for real yo
     
    #3 dundeestalacerveza, Jul 8, 2015
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  4. MrKennedy

    MrKennedy Pooh-Bah (1,838) Dec 29, 2006 Australia
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I've only ever been to Wellington & Nelson. So can't offer much specific advice. Generic would be to drink Liberty.

    My only experience linking beer & Auckland is this:

     
    #4 MrKennedy, Jul 8, 2015
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  5. bahns

    bahns Devotee (380) Mar 22, 2011 Illinois
    Trader

    I did - guess I should have specified that in my first post as this is a fairly typical response (seems there's a new "Visiting Chicago" thread every week...) but I didn't see anything on Rotorua and scant related to Queenstown. Though it did make me wish I was stopping in Wellington! Seems a good scene there.

    Sounds like an epic trip and thanks for the insight! Definitely hear you on the culture and respect, that's something I try to do everywhere on my travels. My aunt and uncle are actually there living out of their camper, traveling all around so I'm getting a good feel for the vibe from their chronicles.
     
    #5 bahns, Jul 8, 2015
  6. dundeestalacerveza

    dundeestalacerveza Initiate (0) Jul 2, 2015 Michigan

    It was an amazing trip...I didn't want to come home. . Damned Immigration laws!!
    If you can make it all the way down to Wellington, it is worth the trip. Auckland has more of the big city vibe, and wellington is more laid back. Lots of artist and musicians. Great little pubs and coffee shops.
    Anyways, sorry to ramble.. Good luck on your adventure.
    Try the castle mane xxx..IT'S a good all around beer for the price.. great for the beach and for a rugby match if you can take one in.....
    Kia Ora!!
     
    #6 dundeestalacerveza, Jul 8, 2015
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  7. sinkas

    sinkas Initiate (0) Jul 9, 2008 Australia

    Yes I apologise for the guilt trip,

    http://www.soba.org.nz/
    brewrs organization will tell you where to get your drink on


    D'aukland:
    http://www.brewonquay.co.nz/ was ok 3 years ago ( I think)
    you will need to go to "New World" supermarkets to get good craft beer, pick up a "trundler" ( shopping trolley) and fill it up bad news is that 3 years ago, these seemed to all be in awkward spots

    Queenstown:
    http://atlasbeercafe.com/beer.html
    is an emersons outlet. emersons not in Oz anymore,
    so dont know if it still as good as it was. they used to make the world best Pils


    too lazy to do anymore
     
    #7 sinkas, Jul 9, 2015
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  8. bahns

    bahns Devotee (380) Mar 22, 2011 Illinois
    Trader

    No worries, man! Do appreciate the info.

    Thanks to all who posted here, I definitely feel I have a better grasp of what to seek out. Can't wait for the trip! And I will report back with favorites/observations as well.
     
    #8 bahns, Jul 9, 2015
  9. Hiwattowner

    Hiwattowner Pooh-Bah (2,926) Feb 23, 2008 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah

    On the north island keep an eye open for Garage Project, ParrotDog and Tuatara. South Island look for McCashins, Three Boys Brewery and Queenstown Brewers.
     
    #9 Hiwattowner, Jul 14, 2015
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  10. NikkoE82

    NikkoE82 Initiate (0) Jan 1, 2012 Indiana

    I am also from the Chicago area and I am going to New Zealand with my wife sometime during our winter/NZ's summer and I wanted to know the same information. I've done some googling, but it's always better to hear from locals/people who have been there.
     
    #10 NikkoE82, Jul 21, 2015
  11. Hiwattowner

    Hiwattowner Pooh-Bah (2,926) Feb 23, 2008 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah

    If you're down in March, think about being in Nelson for Marchfest. Very laid back compared to northern hemisphere but a fun way to experience the NZ hop harvest.
     
    #11 Hiwattowner, Jul 23, 2015
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  12. bahns

    bahns Devotee (380) Mar 22, 2011 Illinois
    Trader

    What a trip. New Zealand is truly a magical place - one of those that lives up to the hype, no doubt. And the people are fantastic, it's true.

    The beer scene was interesting to explore, if only briefly. Things seem fairly similar to the boom in the U.S. but obviously on a smaller scale and maybe not as much variety. A few thoughts:

    • 8 Wired Flat White Stout was my favorite beer of the trip. Wish I got to try more from them. Had it on nitro at Vultures Lane, what a heavenly beer, hands down my singular favorite of the trip.
    • Beer Baroness Mama Mighty was probably second favorite beer, great American IPA.
    • ParrotDog seems to be doing some interesting things with their limited release and RareBird series.
    • Overall and among our group of 16 we probably drank Mac's offerings most frequently. Solid takes on a variety of styles and seemed to be readily available on both the North and South Island.
    • SteinLager not so bad when needing to put back a few. There could be worse macro options.
    • Special mention to Vultures Lane, which became our local while in Auckland...the proprietors were always happy to chat about the beer scene and offer recommendations.
    • Speight's Ale House in Queenstown was probably my other favorite spot. Killer fish and chips and really nice English-inspired offerings.
    Can't wait to go back, someday. Cheers!
     
    #12 bahns, Aug 20, 2015
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  13. NikkoE82

    NikkoE82 Initiate (0) Jan 1, 2012 Indiana

    We will be there the last two weeks of December. It's the only time my wife can take off work (she's a teacher).
     
    #13 NikkoE82, Aug 21, 2015
  14. Hiwattowner

    Hiwattowner Pooh-Bah (2,926) Feb 23, 2008 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah

    Whenever you go you will have an amazing time. Great country. Best breweries are tiny compared to US.

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    #14 Hiwattowner, Aug 22, 2015
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  15. atpca

    atpca Pooh-Bah (1,652) Jun 10, 2013 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    You should plan carefully! Kiwis take their Christmas holidays a lot more seriously than US-folks. You may find many places closed.
     
    #15 atpca, Aug 25, 2015
  16. NikkoE82

    NikkoE82 Initiate (0) Jan 1, 2012 Indiana

    I will keep that in mind. We like to play things by ear on vacation, so we will definitely check ahead for some stuff.
     
    #16 NikkoE82, Aug 26, 2015
  17. atpca

    atpca Pooh-Bah (1,652) Jun 10, 2013 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I had some friends head to the north island same timeframe last year and they said many places (stores, restaurants, museums, tourist attractions) were shut down for the holidays.

    Doesn't sound like it's on your route but if you make it near New Plymouth, we really enjoyed Mike's Organic Brewery. Almost got whiplash when I saw a random CAMRA sign on the side of the road. Hallertau Brewbar was also pretty nice, though their Chardonnay barrel sour was pretty disgusting.
     
    #17 atpca, Aug 26, 2015
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  18. DoctorZombies

    DoctorZombies Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,827) Feb 1, 2015 Florida
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Just arrived in Auckland on Wednesday (8/26/15) and enjoyed the above thread...thanks to all who posted. I'm excited to drink new and well!
     
    #18 DoctorZombies, Aug 28, 2015
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  19. DoctorZombies

    DoctorZombies Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,827) Feb 1, 2015 Florida
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Been here (Auckland) a few days and the scenery is bucolic, the city amazingly easy to navigate (with bus pass), and everyone extremely friendly. And the beers I've had so far quite tasty. We are staying in the southern suburbs (One Tree Hill) and enjoying our daily walks in Cornwall Park. Found a very good bottle shop/liquor store 2 blocks from our house (Grapes) and added it to the Places section last night. Cheers!
     
    #19 DoctorZombies, Aug 30, 2015
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  20. atpca

    atpca Pooh-Bah (1,652) Jun 10, 2013 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    La Cigale actually has a pretty good bottle selection too; and if you go on one of their "market" days, it's worth it even without beer.

    http://www.lacigale.co.nz/french-market/
     
    #20 atpca, Aug 30, 2015
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