Our pick of the best New Zealand craft breweries and cidermakers of 2025

With so many great local breweries now in New Zealand, who do you trust to make the best craft beer that’s reliably tasty and of high quality?

The New World Beer and Cider Awards are a great starting place. Meet the crafty creators behind the Top 25 brews in the New World Beer & Cider Awards.

Best breweries in the Auckland region

Behemoth Brewing Company

Over the last 11 years Behemoth has made over 700 unique beers (this number grows weekly); many of those having been small-batch, one-offs. Behemoth always loves trying new things while using top notch ingredients to make quality beers.

Lion, The Pride

We’re LION, and we’ve been proudly brewing, distilling and innovating drinks across Australia and New Zealand for more than 180 years.

8 Wired Brewing

8 Wired was born during the infancy of the NZ craft brewer revolution when brewers sculpted a unique identity that is rich in kiwi spirit and adventure. Fired on by this brewer break-away, 8 Wired has always stood for innovation and ingenuity.

Epic

Epic Beer, founded by Luke Nicholas is a multi-award winning brewery in the heart of Auckland, New Zealand. 20 years down the track, Epic is one of the most well-known craft breweries in the country; delivering exceptional hop combinations and beer favourites in the market.

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Best breweries in the Taranaki region

Three Sisters Brewery

Three Sisters Brewery, run by husband-and-wife Joe and Sarah, began brewing craft beer in their Taranaki garage. After a breakthrough award in 2015, their focus on quality ingredients has made them one of Taranaki’s top craft breweries, now based in the historic New Plymouth Saving Bank building.

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Best breweries in the Waikato and Hawke's Bay regions

Lakeman Brewing Co

Nestled among rolling green hills above a pristine fresh water bore, Lakeman’s small but talented team produce award-winning craft beers. While the brand’s hairy Lakeman persona doesn’t take itself too seriously, the Taupō-based team are very serious about making the best quality beer while protecting their local water quality.

Zeffer

At Zeffer we have approached sustainability through the lens of Kaitiakitanga - guardianship and protection. This traditional Māori world view resonates with us in its commitment to conserving, replenishing, and safeguarding for the future.

Brave Brewing

Born from a passion for crafting really good beer - Brave Brewing Co. was founded by Matt & Gemma Smith.

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Best breweries in the Wellington region

Panhead Custom Ales

Founder Mike Neilson started brewing his four stock brews in 2013 at the old Dunlop tyre factory in Maidstone, and the public quickly caught on.  Now brewing some of New Zealand’s best-selling craft beers, the Panhead brew crew from Upper Hutt continue to maintain the brewery’s legendary reputation for quality and consistency.

Garage Project

Garage Project began with two brothers and a friend brewing in a derelict Wellington petrol station and has since grown into one of the country’s most renowned breweries. One thing remains the same: their willingness to take risks which is evident in the diverse range of beers they produce.

Parrotdog

The Parrotdog story is almost legendary… in just a decade, they’ve grown from a basement flat to a full-fledged brewery and New Zealand favourite. Today, their approachable, uncomplicated beers remain popular nationwide, on taps and in chillers alike.

Duncan's Brewing

Duncan’s creates New Zealand’s most awarded and adventurous sour beers. We've made it our mission to brew the biggest, boldest and most dessert-worthy brews. Fruit forward flavour bombs & pastry-inspired creations.

Double Vision Brewing

At DVB we simply aspire to be your very own ‘Home Brewery’ by creating the kind of fine beer that delivers mouth parties at your place.

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Best South Island breweries and cidermakers

Peckham’s Cider

Peckham’s Cider took its first steps in 2004 by planting a few specialist cider apple trees on what is now the multi-award-winning Peckham’s Cidery and Orchard. Located in the beautiful hills of the Upper Moutere countryside, they’re passionate about creating an unparalleled range of authentic and innovative ciders with the new cider apple crop each year.

Altitude Brewing

Queenstown Craft Brewery and Taproom. Home of Queenstown's best beer on the shores of Lake Wakatipu by the marina. Brewed for adventure.

Rhyme x Reason

We’re a small crew of wacky beatles brewing, packaging and distributing our awesome range of beers across New Zealand, whilst pouring on-site, throwing kick-ass live events and collaborating with our pals around town - all under one roof.

Beer Baroness

Since 2012 Beer Baroness has been at the centre of the beating heart of Christchurch - Ōtautahi Brewing. We're a talented and passionate team on a big mission! Creating bold, refined and creative beers. We’re focused on fun, flavour and inclusivity - great beer is for everyone to responsibly enjoy.

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