New Zealand - worth visiting

Emerson's Pilsner can be found on tap and in bottles in a lot of bars and bottle stores. They currently make a Vienna Lager (seasonal release) you might be able to find on tap in the South Island.

Hop Federation Pilsner and Townshend's Pilsner, both from the Nelson area in the South Island are also worth trying.

Garage Project make several Lagers and Pilsners - they are based in Wellington but can be found in many bottle stores around NZ. All are worth checking out.

McLeod's in the North Island make a Lager I haven't yet tried but is well regarded.

 

Awesome. I plan to spend a few days in Nelson. I'm more interested in visiting Hop Farms but I want to get at least one brewery trip in there too. As a hop head, which one is a "must visit" of these listed?

 

Thank you! That's a great list of pilsners/lagers to try out! I'l be all over the south and north islands, so should run into most of those.

 

Hey Hayden, are you back from New Zealand yet? How were the hop farms there, and did you try any of their beers? I just arrived back a couple of days ago.

 

I am back. Heading home from Afghanistan now. I toured about 4 or 5 hop farms in the Nelson area while I was there and stopped at least a half a dozen breweries along the way. I had an AMAZING time!!!

 

We had to rush through the Nelson area on our way to the ferry that crosses over to Wellington. We did see some hop farms along the way, but didn't have time to stop at any breweries. We had an amazing time and would definitely like to go back in the future.

 

Only been in Auckland so far but of the 4 beer establishments I’ve been in so far, Galbraith’s was the only one with an actual bar to sit at. While I realize this is a trend at USA breweries and taprooms, I think it is a trend that needs to die. Some people, especially solo travelers like myself go out to local drinking establishments to actually talk to the locals which is far easier if their is an actual bar to sit at. The Garage Project location I’ll even give a pass as they cannot serve anything besides tasters as they are licensed as a liquor store. The staff and hospitality at everyplace I’ve been so far has been excellent even though the staff expected no tips.

Cliffnotes: When I go to the bar, please give me a damn bar to sit at.

 

I would add my opinion that NZ is definitely an interesting destination for beer. Quite a mix of craft/traditional and some great pubs. HighlandFox I have mixed feelings about Galbraith's, on the one hand I loved the building and applaud anyone promoting beer but on the other I was not amused when the 13 year old barman told me that the esb was warm to mimic English conditions. It was summer in Auckland! And I have never had warm beer in England. But some good little pubs tucked away in Auckland. Try the Empire (not so little) or the Occidental Hotel, now a Belgian beer café but worth visiting. If you go up north, The Duke of Marlborough in Russell is picturesque and the town has interesting history (it was once largely burnt to the ground by local Maori). Beers - quite like some of the generics (Steinlager, Lion Red) and some decent craft options (Moa Original Lager, Mac's Black Mac Porter, Tuatara APA, Emerson's 1812 Pale Ale some of the better ones tried). Also, found Murphys Stout on tap at the Empire. My favourite generic Irish stout, on tap in a good pub in Auckland with decent food - beer heaven.