Southern Way - Breweries & Distilleries

Beyond Wine

The lower South Island has long been synonymous with great wine, with Central Otago’s pinot noir, in particular, enjoying a very strong international reputation. It is the world’s southernmost commercial wine region, where dramatic temperature swings, long sunlit days and mineral-rich soils create exceptional and much-awarded drops. For many, the cellar doors alone are reason enough to make the journey, but they are only part of the beverage story. Beyond the neat rows of vines lies a thriving artisan scene of boutique distilleries crafting small-batch spirits and breweries turning out fascinating local ales, hazys, lagers, stouts, and sours.

Here are some worth checking out.

Beer

Before this part of the country earned global vinous acclaim, beer was definitely the drink of choice for many of the miners, farmers and labourers who helped shape it (and in many places, it still is). While Dunedin’s brewing heavyweights, Emerson’s and Speight’s, might be the best known, there are also plenty of other smaller boutique operations dotted all around the region.

In Queenstown, Canyon Brewing pairs interesting and creative brews with spectacular alpine views, making it dangerously easy to settle in for an afternoon and in Wānaka, Rhyme X Reason has built a loyal following for its thoughtfully crafted range, and a sense of fun - with live music, events and a permanent Bao truck. b.social, also in Wānaka is the taproom next to the b.effect brewery where you can sip craft beers brewed just metres away and settle in with a burger, in the sunny beer garden.

You’re spoiled for choice in Dunedin, Speights has been proudly pouring since 1876, while Emerson’s helped spark New Zealand’s modern craft beer movement long before it became ‘a thing’. Arc Brewing is perfect after exploring Blueskin Bay (creative brews and rotating food trucks, what more could you want?) and Noisy Brewing Company is a great family-friendly space with cracking beer, not far from the iconic Dunedin Railway building.

If you’re travelling the coast. Oamaru’s Victorian streets house Craftwork Brewery and Scotts Brewing Co, where carefully made beers feel entirely in step with the town’s independent quirky artisan vibe (Craftwork are all about handcrafted Belgian Ales and make some of the best examples of this in the country) In Alexandra, Station Brewing offers a welcoming space for everyone of any age with excellent brews (their own and others) and hearty food like smash burgers, wings, ribs and burnt ends.

Gin

If you love a good G&T, the South has you more than covered. Rifters in Arrowtown produces exceptional gin, and it’s not just New Zealanders who think so -their gins have taken out Gold at the World Gin Awards. Bluff Gin might feel a little more rugged than the picturesque streets of Arrowtown, but it punches well above its weight on the global stage too. Focusing on a single product - a classic London Dry in a very unique bottle - it has already collected awards in New Zealand, Australia, San Francisco and London, an impressive feat for such a new brand.

In Dunedin, No.8 Distillery has also earned international acclaim for its gins, but the range also extends to artisan vodka, ouzo, elderflower liqueur, limoncello, absinthe and more, all made using techniques passed down through four generations of the French owner’s family. Dunedin Craft Distillers takes a fascinating approach, transforming bakery waste into medal-winning gin, spirits and liqueurs, and visitors can even create their own custom bottle to take home. And finally, Sandymount Distillery, set on the spectacular Otago Peninsula, holds the distinction of being Aotearoa’s first carbon-neutral distillery, also proving that outstanding spirits and thoughtful sustainability can go hand in hand.

Whisky

Much reference is made to the Scots' arrival in the South, and it’s true that many parts of the region must have felt very much like home when they arrived. Similar to Scotland, the south has excellent conditions for cultivating its national spirit, and one sip of Cardrona Distillery’s Single Malt will illustrate that beyond any doubt (they do exceptional gin and vodka too). Make a day of it over one of their spirits-matched menus - the food is highly awarded for a reason - and the stunning Crown Range views completing the whole glorious picture; if you can snag one of the glasshouses, even better.

Not a distillery but a very popular watering hole and restaurant, the lovely Finery in Alexandra is a popular meeting spot, especially for its cosy whisky bar.

Sake

While you might not immediately think of New Zealand when you think of sake, Zenkuro in Queenstown would like you to reconsider that. Pop in for a tasting and prepare to be surprised. It’s New Zealand’s only Sake Brewery and flies the flag with skill and pride.

A Tasting Experience

So yes, come for the wine - but don’t be surprised if it’s a hazy, handcrafted gin or even a locally brewed sake that distracts you from exploring the vineyards every so often. This part of the world has your thirst sorted, no matter what your mood.