Dunedin Brewery Tours

The southern city of Dunedin is synonymous with Speight’s, everyone’s seen their quiry dancing adverts on the TV and even the Australians know what a Speights is alongside the famous by line of “good on ya mate”.

Speights is the oldest working brewery in New Zealand, and we are lucky enough to have it right here in Dunedin - established in 1876 James Speight, Charles Greenslade and William Dawson quit their jobs in 1876 to brew their own beers little did they know they were also brewing up a lasting legacy!

Then in 1992 a local man named Richard Emerson started another brewery that would be change the craft beer scene, redefining brewing in this country – done right here in Dunedin! This brewery is one of my personal favourites, not because I love beer but quite simply I love the fairy-tale story of Richard Emmerson so ensure you pop in whilst in town or if you’re on a tour with me I’m happy to share a drink with you at the end of the day – namely of flight of Emmerson beers – aka a tasting tray of six beers  - it is a great way to sample their range of styles -  if you’re like me you’ll love the fact the beers are often named after local attractions, or  stories.

Since those early days of Emmerson’s several more boutique breweries have since joined the ranks from tiny taprooms down inner-city alleys, to cellar doors in the suburbs.

New Corporation is found withing an old building on Crawford Street that formerly housed the horses that pulled Dunedin’s trams in the 19th century. This brewery has drawn crowds of the more adventurous beer drinkers for its boundary-pushing creations, from lip-smacking sours to stouts infused with smoked eel. The taproom is its own experience so don’t miss stopping by – historic stables with colourful lighting and brewing equipment sets the scene for the atmosphere.

Another stop I love to add onto tours is the Arc Brewery Co.  it’s a short 20-minute drive north of Dunedin on the main SH1 and its definitely worth the trip. Formed from an old hotel that was going nowhere this hip brewery has been made into a very functional taproom that has a rotating roster of fabulous food trucks and live music – a totally hip place to spend an afternoon!

If you’re interested in a brewery tour, please get in contact there are many more quirky up and coming boutique breweries we can add to our stops.