Overview
In a dreary and beerless past the wizardry of craft brewing was something of a dark art in Auckland. Our smaller sibling Wellington dominated when it came to quality craft brewers and locally-brewed beer wasn't something you'd find in a city central pub or liquor shop, outside of Galbraiths. It was a sad time indeed and Auckland pub owners cackled maniacally as they charged $12 for a single pint of flavourless, mass produced swill.
No more. Auckland is now reaching a sudsy zenith, thanks to the likes of heavyweight brewers such as Epic, Hallertau and 8 Wired. Their success has emboldened the little guys and fledgling breweries are popping up city wide, concocting some of the most delectable ales New Zealand has ever seen. Alas these marvelous wee breweries can be hard to discover as they lack the marketing budget and word of mouth of more established enterprises. So in the name of helping you step into the great unknown and broaden your beer horizons, we've curated a handy list of the best up-and-coming breweries in Auckland. Go find em.
Outlier Cartel
Outlier Cartel is a brand new venture from Carlos De La Barra and Mark Von Nagy. These fellows focus on using local ingredients to handcraft quality ales, with the ultimate goal of experimenting and allowing curious minds to step into the unknown and "enlighten their palates beer by beer". They recently won People's Choice at the Brothers Session Beer Challenge and can already be found on tap at Auckland's best craft beer bars; huge achievements for a brewery in their first year of production. If you fancy something hoppy get try their Keri Keri IPA brewed with NZ grapefruit juice; it's a zesty and dangerously drinkable ale which is the most delicious an Auckland brewery has produced in a while.
Sparks Brewing
Founded by Auckland local Adam Sparks, this one-man band bottled its first beers in late 2014 and have since made a name for themselves producing consistently high quality, innovative and delicious brews. Their core range consists of only two beers, the Outlander Extra Stout and the Prospector Farmhouse Ale. The Outlander is the pick of the two thanks to its intense roast coffee and chocolate flavours, which make it a beer perfect for the upcoming winter months, and puts it right up there with the best Kiwi made dark beers you can buy.
Birkenhead Brewing Company
The first batch of beer that BBC brewed commercially, their delicious Kauri Double IPA, is an absolute pearler. The fact that it's mislabeled as a double IPA (double IPA's are classes as over 7.5%, Kauri is 7%) hasn't bothered drinkers and critics alike, recently winning a silver medal at the New World Beer and Cider Awards. Not only do the team at BBC make phenomenal beer, they also own and operate Birkenhead's first craft beer bar, the Tasting Studio. These chaps pour local brews (and their own) off ten taps, serve delectable pub grub and are huge part of a recent improvement to the North Shore's craft beer offering.
Find Birkenhead Brewing Company's beer
Laughing Bones
John Morawski's passion for fine ales has seen him own and operate brewpub the Brewery Britomart, brew for Brothers Beer and act as a consultant for some of New Zealand's best up-and-coming breweries. So three years ago when he was given the opportunity to create his own brand and brew his own beer out of Brothers' commercial set-up, he jumped at the chance, birthing Laughing Bones. Laughing Bones bucks current trends of creating uber hoppy, high ABV beers which almost have you in tears, instead making sessionable brews which focus on subtle balanced flavours and respecting the process of brewing itself. Their core range includes several pearlers, the best of which has to be Element 5, a balanced and refreshing New Zealand Pale Ale which may just be the ultimate in summer beer.
Find Laughing Bones at Brothers Beer
Funk Estate
Not a new brewery per-se but certainly a brewery new to Auckland, Funk Estate is the brainchild of three enthusiasts who originally called Wellington home. A couple months ago they saw the light and bought a Grey Lynn brewery (formerly home of Governor Lager) and began producing their trademark unique and flavoursome beers from there (take that Wellington). These fellows make award-winning beer which stands out from your average tipple; none more so than their phenomenal Super Afrodisiac, an imperial stout brewed every Valentine's Day with chocolate, honey, maca root, figs and the tears of angels. Share one of these intoxicating potions with someone special, it'll have you whispering sweet nothings in no time.