Cool atmosphere, great service, good beers. Mr brother and I both especially liked the raspberry…read morelemon cider.

One of my all time favorite Craft 'spaces' in the world, but BY Craft, it has seriously unCraft…read morelike pricing. I spent something like $4300 in hard currency on Craft when I was visiting in 2018, back when Chase - ex-Michigan - one of the penultimate Craftistas was tending the taps and a guy I ran up a $280 bar bill with one evening stopped talking to me after we split it. Hmmmm, maybe I drink too much? No, that can't be it. They have like 18 taps on with a lot a guest taps (I'm not that excited by their own efforts) and a truly righteous selection of all NZ Craft. McLeod's and Alibi Breweries at the top of form. Still, It's kinda like a Craft Disneyland with those 1980s Disney prices (remember? You want to go on every ride, but they're $148 each). My Craft Jesus rating a 'and the pours are tiny too' 51 IBU

Excellent veggie burger. Easy to sub gluten free and vegan. My youngest son loved his pepperoni…read morepizza. My oldest made the mistake of getting 2 feet of the hot honey pizza, so he'll be enjoying it for days! I had the ipa which was solid, and the view and vibe are spectacular! Quick, friendly service!

We stopped here for a late lunch. With time zones all messed up on our first day here, we wanted to…read moresplit something and keep it light. We chose the Caesar salad with chicken. It came with a hard boiled egg, bacon, grilled chicken, Romain lettuce, garlic bread and a yummy dressing. It was so good and really hit the spot for healthy and hearty. When we arrived, we were handed 2 menus and instructed to sit anywhere we chose. Lots of seating, both in and outdoor. The outdoor patio had a cover which helped those patrons as it was drizzling on and off most of the day. I had a nice sauv Blanc. We got a pitcher of water. Everything was well done and absolutely delicious. Plus, we got to watch some Sunday night American football as we had lunch.

After sitting in the SkyBar in the Tower, it was time for dinner and I spotted this place (from…read moreYelp, not from the window). A short walk and a few minutes later, beer in hand. I found a comfy spot in the back, connected to their wifi and checked in for tomorrow's flight back to the USA. And then dinner. I ordered the fish and chips which was the biggest piece of fish ever. Crispy battered outside, light and flaky inside. Super hot from the fryer and with enough delicious fries to float a battalion. Wifi was speedy and the seating was comfortable and I'm just a little bit sad that my New Zealand adventure is coming to a close. [Review 531 of 2024 - 176 in New Zealand - 21563 overall]

Went out of my way, by myself, and walked over a mile to go to Brothers Beer, which I was told by…read morethe locals that it was closed... While walking back to where my wife was shopping, I got lucky and walked by this place! This place got extra credit because it was much needed after my wasted walk. Quality/Quantity - Good selection of beers on tap. They offer samples if asked. Liberty Knife Party IPA - # 1 seller and an "always" on tap beer. 7.1% so beware. This was good, very smooth. Almost did not even taste like an IPA, not too hoppy. Eddyline West Coast IPA - 7.3%, wow this was even smoother. Borderline dangerous drinking this as it went down too easily. I cut myself off after this second beer (third one for the day). Beer flights are also available. Atmosphere - They cater to the locals here, perfect for me. :) Cool decor, sorry I should have taken more pictures. 7+ weeks out here and I still do NOT have an Australian or New Zealand accent, LOL. Indoor/outdoor seating. No people watching as it is a weekend, a Saturday today. They mainly cater to the local downtown businesses. Free wifi, but you need a password; just ask. Open 7 days a week from 11:30am to 10pm. Service - Good. Price - $28.50 NZ, approximately $8.55 US per beer. Expensive for a non tourist area... Owner Comment - Congrats on your success.

This is probably some of the best beers I've ever had. I was recommended to come here when I'm in…read moreAuckland. I got the taster and just told them to get me what they recommend/what their most popular ones were. I ended up with the Peacenik Pilsner, Back in Black, Raspberry and Mango Sour, Fear & Loathing WCIPA, and Hazesteria. Honestly, I thought all of them was good, except the sour but I never liked sours in general. I think my favorites would be either the Fear & Loathing or the Hazesteria. The Back in Black was good as well. For food from Juke Joint I also ordered the steak & cheese burger, which was also great and definitely filled me up. I also felt a bit of a buzz after finishing the third glass but the burger definitely saved me. Service was good. I ordered at the counter and they gave me a number to put on my table. They checked up on me once in a while and were quick to bring me water when I requested it. The food wasn't life changing but the beers here are definitely worth trying out, even if you're not typically a beer drinker. I'm not, but I still loved them.

Brothers Brewery is a New Zealand staple beer producer, but unfortunately on my visit they…read moreannounced the brand was not doing well and the location close to my hotel was closing for good. I was thankful at least to visit their main location near Mt Eden and along the Auckland Beer Mile; based on my time here, I hope they turn things around and this place stays open for another visit next time. If you're in Auckland and a beer lover, this is worth the stop. Located in a quiet residential neighborhood, the big old factor is cozy and welcoming despite the large profile. They have areas of big comfy sofas, high top tables, and seating for any size group. You walk in along the offices, with restrooms toward the back. The night I was there pub trivia was going on - I jumped in with a team and won $50NZD! The brewery area takes up most of the space, with high ceilings you feel like you're in the middle of the production even at night. The staff here was all welcoming and super friendly to talk about the beer and put together a flight. This ended up being my last stop along the Beer Mile that day, but I was thankful I got a chance to come. Cheers and best of luck Brothers Brewery!

A famous New Zealand brewery, Urbanaut is along Auckland's Beer Mile with a taproom and Burgernaut…read morerestaurant inside. I had a fantastic visit here after walking from the Auckland Zoo nearby. There are many other beer places of note nearby, so it's a fun area to explore. The brewery sits on a hill, with front windows overlooking the street and neighborhoods below; the back garage door also has great views of the sky and area around. Restrooms are at the front near the stairs, with plenty and all kept clean. This is a working brewery, with about half of the floor space large brewing kettles for the process. They also have a refrigerated selection of packaged cans and bottles ready to go. One thing that makes them unique are the tiny half cans that are packaged together with the idea that you can taste the two beers or mix them for fun cuvees. They also have merchandise for sale. The bar area is along the left wall with big tables, high tops, and comfy sofas and armchairs around. The high ceilings give a lot of natural light during the day. Their beer selection is large and includes cider and other non-beers. They have fixed beer flights or you can substitute or order your own. I tried most of the beers they had on tap that day, while avoiding things I usually don't care for. I also had their classic smash burger as by this point I had built up an appetite. Prices here are reasonable; you get to try a lot of different beers for not much. Service was great with two very friendly bartenders ready to talk about the beers and gave me some free tasters of things that didn't fit in the flights. They also have their English Pale Ale, Brixton, on hand pull, a classic serving style we don't usually see in the US. If you're visiting Auckland and a beer fan, this is a must-visit brewery and place to eat.

Awesome brewery just down the road from the heart of Kingsland. Tap room is at the back of the…read morebrewery and there is parking at the front and off Western Springs Road. Tap room would be great for large grouops. Collette was on the bar tonight and she was super helpful, very kmowledagble and friendly. They only serve taster sizes but do a flight of 6 for $15. DIY deli lets you choose your own snacks and they have a small take away selection. Over all, love the space and can't wait to return, highly recommended!!

Great bar and food. Place was moderately busy but easy to find a table. It was easy to order…read moredrinks and food at the bar. They had a large tap list which satisfied both my partner and I. My partner and I both had a pint, shared a beef and cheese pie, a burger, and mac and cheese. They have 3 different pies a day and sold out pretty quickly. The pie was one of the best we had, nice and flakey and very big. The burger and mac and cheese were good as well but I prefer creamier mac and cheese. However the fries were great, crispy on the outside and potatoey on the inside.

On my last day in Auckland, I looked for fun ways to spend my last few hours. While I was tired, I…read moreexplored the little bars off Queen Street. I had been to many a few years ago, but somehow Vultures' Lane was missed. I saw their fantastic tap list and said I'd stop in for just a beer and respite from the rain. I ended up trying eight thanks to a super friendly and generous bartender. This is a free house, so not tied to any particular brewery or company. They pour what they want, which includes a lot of excellent choices. What hooked me as they also have their own line of house beers (contract brewed off site due to the size constraints of the cozy pub). They have outdoor seating and a few tables and bar stools inside - it's not a large place more cozy for pairs and small groups. They also have a full food menu if you're hungry. When I explained I was on a mostly beer trip and was interested in a tasting board of their beers, he said he'd just pour them all for me and charge the regular price for many less - you can't refuse that kind of offer (8 for the price of 6). It was fun to try them all, diverse styles. Of course some were better than others, but overall they have excellent house beers if you're in the area. If you're a beer fan and in CBD seeing too many bars, it's worth your time to find this one.

Spotted a banner stating oldest brewery in Auckland from my hotel room window... Well, say no more,…read moreI am on it. Especially since I was hungry from travel anyway. I didn't quite understand the set up, but there seems to be a brewery on the ground floor and a restaurant upstairs and a hotel too? Since I was still in my travel clothes, I decided to just stay in the brewery part. Ordered a nice cold beer and fish and chips. Now I have read the other reviews and I must say, I liked the beer, the bar tender was helpful and friendly and I did not have to pay as I went. The fish and chips I received were the best of my life. A huge portion, lightly breaded, fried crisp, the fish in the middle nice and moist. Crinkle fries along with it, also done very nicely. There was a small serving of salad that came with it and that too was delicious. House made tartar sauce and a side of lemon. I found it to be a delight.

One of those things we came to do just cuz, AND it was conveniently located across from our hotel…read more Their beers brewed in house aren't bad, pretty decent. What I HATE when it comes to pubs (now anyways lol) is a pay as you go format. Maybe it's because they're worried about people skipping out on their checks. I've never come across a pub where you pay as you go. Or maybe this is just something that's common in New Zealand? Anyways, it's got a weirdly old yet modernish feel. Like it feels like they are trying to maintain their old feel but the vibe just doesn't match. They have typical bar food like burgers, fries and fish & chips. I must say though that their fries (chips) are well executed. Thick cut, crisp on the outside, and fluffy on the inside, paired with a nice aioli.

Maybe I'm just a beer snob or maybe it's because we are discussing a macro brewery here again but…read morethe series of beers that we had from this brewery we just thought were fair between Steve and myself. We had the Steinlager Classic for one which is a pilsner, New Zealand style that has a sweet and hoppy flavor profile and a clean finish. It is smooth and light bodied . The Steinlager Pure was the next beer that we had on the agenda. This one was a lager. Sweet, dry and a clean finish are features with this lager. It's nice that it's light bodied but that is a common characteristic with this beer type. The Waikato Draught was the next beer we had. It was a bitter type beer in which it lived up to it's name along with malt and sweetness in addition. It comes off as strong and is light bodied as well. The Lion Brown was next on the rotation. Again, just okay. I do like brown ales also. Malty and sweet are the primary things going on here. It is rich but also light bodied. After trying those beers we felt like it was another corporate beer experience which didn't take much investigating to figure out. Steve and I will always prefer the micro and nano breweries the most when trying out beer.

Lion Breweries is home to the famous Speights, Steinlager, Macs, Waikato, and most of all Lion Red…read more Located on Carlton Gore road in Newmarket, they're conveniently placed within Auckland's buzzing metropolitan. Driving along Khyber Pass Road in Newmarket you'll see the old brewery that has recently moved out to "The Pride" in East Tamaki. It's out at The Pride where all the magic happens; brewing, dispatching, the works. If you get the chance (through either working here or knowing someone who does) ask if you can pop up to the staff bar! It's AWESOME! They have beer, wine and spirits available to those who promise to encourage a responsible drinking ethic. If you're after any of the much loved Lion products, head on down to your local LK (Liquor King) store and see what great deals they have on offer.

My wife and I ate here during a recent visit to Auckland. The food was excellent--we ordered the…read moremixed grill mussels platter and ribs, and everything was delicious. We were really enjoying the food, atmosphere, and service from our waitress. The reason for the lower rating was an interaction we witnessed involving a tall, bald staff member. An older Asian group was seated near our table. A few moments after they sat down, several additional members of their group sat at a nearby table without first checking with the hostess. The staff member approached them and explained that the table was reserved and that other guests might be arriving. While the request itself seemed reasonable, the way it was handled was not. He spoke very loudly and aggressively, to the point that the entire restaurant turned to see what was happening. The group appeared embarrassed, stood up, and left the restaurant. As Asian visitors ourselves, the incident left us feeling uncomfortable. We understand that restaurants need to manage reservations and seating arrangements, but customers should be treated with courtesy and respect, especially when a simple explanation would likely have resolved the situation. It's unfortunate because the food and the rest of the service were excellent. This would have been a 5-star experience otherwise. I hope management addresses situations like this more professionally in the future.

Great vibe in a historic alley. Beer selection is vast and the food is delicious. Oftentimes these…read morebrewpubs don't focus much on the food, but that was not the case here! It was my last meal in Auckland and I was not disappointed. Mussels were fresh and meaty, the rump steak was perfectly cooked and the chips were spot on with a crisp exterior and soft creamy interior. Staff is super friendly and handles the lunch rush like pros. Highly recommend!

When talking with beer people about the Auckland Beer Mile, one place listed rarely came up as…read morerecommended but it ended up being one of the best dining and beer experiences of my entire trip. Galbraith's Alehouse is a brewery, pub, and restaurant all wrapped up into one. It's on Mt. Eden and just a quick walk from many other excellent beer places - don't skip this one. The exterior looks like a historic meeting house; inside feels like an English pub with high ceilings, wood door and glass windows, carpet, and a big old bar. On entering to the left is the bar and restaurant area, to the right is the working brewery, restrooms, and quieter tables for those interested in conversation over whatever is playing on TV. The night I came I was so excited to see their tap list of their own beers, all with a traditional focus on British styles and serving methods. They had two tasting trays listed, one all their hand pull cask styles, and one of their more popular contemporary styles like IPAs on draft. For those from the USA reading, hand pull casks are served more close to room temperature using gravity or muscle power to pump the beer, it's not the effervescent beer you're used to but the soft mouthfeel imparts different flavors. I absolutely loved getting to try four different styles all done in this method. The staff here were extremely friendly, happy to explain their beer and business, and always checking on me. I sat at the bar as that night a World Cup match was on and it was loud and exciting inside. I ordered their shepherd's pie which was one of the best meals I ate on my entire trip - especially soul warming on a cold and rainy evening outside. Following my meal and cask ales, I ordered the contemporary flight and loved all those beers as well. Everything was well made and delicious. I also appreciated not being chased out immediately after they closed - a few people like me quietly finished our drinks before heading out. If you're in Auckland for beer or exploring the Beer Mile, this is a must-visit place; come hungry and thirsty.

The former Grafton Library makes a gorgeous pub full of character…read more My partner loved his craft beer "DOUBLE DRY HOPPED HAZY HAZY PALE ALE", describes it was wet and tangy lol. I usually drink Sol, Corona or white wine. The Bar staff recommended for I try "HEIDELBERGER PREMIUM GERMAN PILSNER" and found it very tasty!