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 craft establishments from 22 June to 1 July in the lead up to epic beer festival The Great Australasian Beer SpecTAPular (GABS).
The festivities will officially kick off with the Double Launch Party between Vultures Lane and Newmarket's Lumsden Freehouse. It promises a rambunctious night of craft beer from all over NZ, Australia and the United Kingdom.
From there, The Lumsden will prove how well fresh, briny oysters go down with a pint of dark beer; Kingsland's Flight 605 will host an evening of new releases from around Auckland, live music and beer-marinated chicken wings; while Brewers Co-Op will round off the first weekend with an appearance from hardcore Scottish brewers, BrewDog.
The combination of crisp beer and spicy curry is big on this year's agenda, with two events dedicated to the match made in heaven. K' Road eatery Satya Chai Lounge will be the place to indulge in multi-course South Indian feasts with matched beverages from McLeod's and Epic.
Elsewhere, Mt Eden's Galbraiths Ale House will salute the mother country with three days of British brews; Brothers Beer will be taken over by Adelaide brewery Pirate Life; and The Beer Spot will hand over its taps to Waikanae's North End Brewing.
Annual beer and cider festival GABS is the event on everyone's lips. Happening on 30 June at ASB Showgrounds, the festival is a breeding ground for interesting new brews — previous events have seen brewers experiment with everything from marshmallows to cold brew coffee and snails. This year is set to be no different with more than 90 unique beers and ciders being brewed especially for the event and a further 300 concoctions up for the tasting. Also on offer: a delectable street food lineup, a beer-themed mini golf course, silent disco, panel discussions and masterclasses.
Wynyard Quarter's 16 Tun will give Auckland Beer Week its final hurrah on 1 July with the ultimate hangover breakfast. Soak up the previous night's wrongdoings with hair of the dog beer cocktails and a $10 breakfast.
Auckland Beer Week 2018 will be held across Auckland from 22 June to 1 July. For more information, visit soba.org.nz.