Auckland Beer Week 2021

Overview

Every year, the Society of Beer Advocates (SOBA) rolls out its red carpet for a week-long celebration of all things craft beer. It's appropriately called Auckland Beer Week, and this year it's taking place across the city's finest hop-forward establishments from 17–24 April.

The festivities officially kick off with a roaming tour of local beer bars. At Fresh Hop 21, three buses will roll between five craft venues where punters can sample this season's fresh-hopped brews. The process, which connects brewers with hops from the bine within 24 hours of plucking, typically results in more aroma and more flavoursome beer.

There's plenty more to choose from across the week. Dessert of the Gods will see a lemon meringue, a mystery chocolate dessert and something fruity paired with three drops on nitro from Wairau Valley's Mythica Brewing, and The Lumsden Freehouse will once again prove how well fresh oysters go down with dark beer.

The Fridge and Flagon will be serving up decadent doughnut and beer pairings, including ice cream sours, milkshake IPAs and pastry stouts, Mount Eden alehouse Galbraith's will be pouring beer from Waipu brewery McLeod's to match game meat specialties from Cazador, and Brothers Beer is lining up the almighty drinking snack of pork crackling.

For hardcore beer lovers, there's a fault tasting workshop with local expert David Moynagh and a day trip to Matakana's Sawmill Brewery. Those after something more relaxed could opt for a sing-along with the Wellington Sea Shanty Society, a hot wings eating challenge, a casual walk down the Auckland Beer Mile or beer-fuelled egg and spoon races.