Overview
New Zealand's boutique beer scene is blossoming; as well as refreshments based around hipster flag designs, small batch and experimental brews now make up 13% of beer sales across the country. Northcote's The Beer Spot is the latest freehouse to sprout between brewery-bound establishments that serve vapid bubble water.
Launched by local beer enthusiasts Laurence van Dam and Jason Payn, The Beer Spot aims to "make great beer accessible to everyone", and they intend to do so by adhering to three factors: banning the use of "craft" to avoid scaring off novice beer drinkers; not using typical beer styles to list beers, and using smaller 350ml serve sizes to allow flavours to shine and give punters the chance to tick off the mammoth beer selection on offer - something they call The Tap 40.
As well as boasting 40 rotating taps of local boutique brews, The Beer Spot serves as a mecca for beer lovers, operating as an off-license outlet. There are also plans to eventually take the retail side online. All of the featured brews can be taken home in 750ml bottles, purge and pressure-filled to keep the beer fresh. As part of their philosophy to provide a comfortable place to talk about beer, there will also be tasting sessions held each month, with a focus on women beer drinkers.
In addition to their own menu, The Beer Spot will host a different food truck every week. Currently in residence is Brown's Bay barbecue vendor Rack 'n' Roll Ribs. And because the bar scene is where all fantastic haircut ideas begin, a barber shop aptly labelled either The Hair Spot or Beer Cuts will be in operation on Monday and Tuesday evenings from 5pm - 8pm.
The Beer Spot is now open at 54 Northcote Rd, Northcote from 12pm – 8pm, Mon - Sat.