Best Beer Tours of Auckland

If you want to see an alternative side of Auckland, away from the paradise beaches and picture-perfect scenery of your trip, you can take a beer tour to learn about the history of one of the local brews while sampling some of the best varieties.

Some of the best things to see and do in Auckland on a beer tour include walking the city's craft brewery circuit, touring Hobbiton, the natural setting of Lord of the Rings, and sampling a drink at the Green Dragon Tavern and taking a beer and dinner tour of the city's best pubs.

If you're a craft beer lover and you're 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 get to taste a variety of malts, from the most classic to the most exotic and experimental. Combine these experiences with Auckland's best food tours.

One of the must-visit stops on the tour is the Garage Project Brewery, known for its unique beers and vibrant, modern atmosphere. You can also visit 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. 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're planning to visit Auckland in October, you can also take part in the local Oktober Fest, a travelling festival that includes discounts and celebrations at local breweries.

As well as sampling the beer, you can also explore some of the city's most interesting neighbourhoods 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 Auckland tours.

Interesting details

• 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 4.5 hours.
• 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're a fan of The Lord of the Rings trilogy and you're in Auckland, you can't miss the opportunity to take a trip to Hobbiton with beer tasting at the Green Dragon Tavern, an experience where you can combine J. R. R. R. Tolkien' s work with a food tour.

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

However, the real surprise comes 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 cosy, homely atmosphere.

Here you can enjoy a tasting including Hobbiton's own unique beer, brewed especially for the film set. You can also try the Green Dragon Tavern's speciality, a refreshing golden ale with notes of malt and hops. All in all, this is one of the best full day trips from Auckland.

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

Interesting details

• 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 can 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 explore the site on your own, but only within the guided tour.

Beer is best paired with local New Zealand food, so on these tours you'll get the best of both worlds, as well as touring the bars, you 'll also get to dine in a typical New Zealand restaurant. These tours offer a great way to combine visitors' favourite 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, 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 the summer, when the temperature is warmer, you can make the most of your visit and walk around each neighbourhood.

As well as beer and dinner, you can also explore some of the city's most interesting neighbourhoods such as Ponsonby, Grey Lynn and Kingsland, which have a wealth of bars and restaurants offering an excellent selection of craft beers and local food and are often included in Auckland's best food tours.

Interesting details

• Price: these tours have an initial cost of approximately 87 euros per person, including tastings and the assistance of an expert local guide.
• Duration: approximately 5 hours.
• Benefits of these tours: You will get to sample some of Auckland's best beers and enjoy a guide-recommended dinner.
• Disadvantages of these tours: You will not have enough time to explore the neighbourhoods on your own in the middle of the tour, so you will have to come back at a later time or stay there after the tour ends.

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 up close and personal with the brewing process and sample some of the region's finest brews.

The Auckland Craft Brewery Tour includes visits to several local breweries such as the Epic Brewing Company, founded by master brewer Luke Nicholas. Here 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's also ideal if you're planning to visit Auckland in winter, as it's 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. These tours are also short in duration, making them ideal if you're planning a short stay in the city. If that's the case, here's a list of things to do in Auckland in 3 days.

At each of the breweries, visitors can learn about the craft beer brewing process, from malt milling to fermentation and bottling. They will also be able to sample 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 make 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 will need to book in advance.

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

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

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

You'll also get to see some of the city's most distinctive neighbourhoods, which outside of these tours you'd only get to see on Auckland bike tours or hop-on-hop-off bus tours of the city.

If you're planning a beer tour in Auckland, here are some useful tips to help you get the most out 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 opening times, prices and if you need reservations. Also, check reviews and feedback from other visitors to get an idea of what to expect at each location, especially if you want to stay 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 don't have a designated driver, consider using public transport, such as buses or taxis, to return to your accommodation 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, stronger beers.
• Eat something between tastings: Even if the main focus of the tour is the beer, don't forget to eat something to keep your energy up and prevent 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 is 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 sample a wide variety of beers, many of which are not usually available elsewhere. These types of tours allow you to sample different varieties of the drink, from classic pilsner beers to darker, more flavoursome stouts.

Plus, if you're a beer enthusiast, you'll be able to learn about the brewing process. During these tours you will learn about everything from the selection of ingredients to the bottling system. You'll also learn about the history of beer in New Zealand, its importance in the country's culture and some colourful curiosities. Did you know that the Maori already consumed a variant of this drink?

Another reason to take a beer tour is that you'll get to experience a local custom, as New Zealanders are known for their love of beer and the relaxed and welcoming atmosphere found in Auckland's pubs and breweries. You'll 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'll be able to discover new places in Auckland, such as local breweries, bars and restaurants.