Breweries in Queenstown - our Queenstown Craft Beer Guide (for First-Time Visitors)

Here's all the information that you need about breweries in Queenstown.

Warm welcomes, mountain views, and surprisingly good beer—Queenstown’s craft scene is small enough to explore in a few days, but varied enough to keep every pint interesting. Whether you’re here for skiing, hiking, bungy jumping, or lakeside chilling, there’s a local pour that fits the moment: crisp lagers after a long walk, hazy IPAs for sunset sessions, and darker malts when the alpine air turns sharp.

Below is a visitor-friendly guide to Queenstown-area craft breweries (including Altitude Brewing, Canyon Brewing, Searchlight Brewery, Glenorchy Brew Co, and Arrowtown Brewing Co), plus a couple of great craft-beer bars like Atlas Beer Café. I’ll share what to drink, why to go, and what makes each spot special.

Quick note: brewery venues and taprooms can change trading hours and exact street details over time. If you’re planning a specific visit (especially to smaller operations), it’s worth doing a quick Google Maps check the day you go.

Craft Beer Breweries in Queenstown

Altitude Brewing

Why you should visit:

Altitude Brewing is a great “start here” option for first-time visitors because it’s built around the classic Queenstown experience: relaxed vibes, quality beer, and a setting that suits groups. It’s the kind of place that works whether you want a tasting paddle or a proper pint with food.

Address: Altitude Brewing, 827 Frankton Arm Walk, Queenstown.

Website: click here.

What to drink (typical styles you’ll find):

• Pale ales and IPAs (often the crowd-pleasers).
• Lagers/pilsners for a clean, crisp post-adventure pint.
• Seasonal specials (keep an eye out for limited releases).

Standout features:

• Friendly, approachable range (easy for newcomers to craft beer).
• Usually good options for sharing (tasting paddles/variety packs depending on availability).
• An on-site food truck.
• Dog friendly (on lead at all times).
• Beers and merchandise available to order online.

Best time to go:

Late afternoon into early evening—perfect when you’re winding down after the day’s activities.

Canyon Brewing

Why you should visit:

Canyon Brewing is a classic Queenstown craft stop—very visitor-friendly, great for groups, and often paired with a lively atmosphere. It’s ideal when you want “one more” and you’re not ready for the night to end. Beautiful canyon location, perfect if you are staying at Arthurs Point (between Queenstown and Arrowtown).

Address: 1 Arthurs Point Road Arthurs Point Queenstown.

Website: click here.

What to drink (typical styles you’ll find):

• West Coast and/or hazy IPAs.
• Pale ales.
• Easy-drinking lagers.
• Rotating seasonal taps.

Standout features:

• Strong “holiday energy” and sociable setting.
• Good range for mixed tastes (someone can go hoppy, someone can go crisp and light).
• Great pub style food including delicious wood fired pizzas, sliders and tapas plates.

Tip:

If you’re new to New Zealand craft beer, ask for a tasting flight and choose one lager/pilsner, one pale ale, one IPA, and one seasonal—fastest way to learn what you like.

Searchlight Brewery

Why you should visit:

Searchlight Brewery is worth a visit if you love smaller-batch craft beer and the “discover something new” feeling. Think of it as a great pick for beer fans who enjoy a more curated lineup, rather than just the most mainstream styles. With family, open mic, trivia and "Queers for Beers" sessions, it caters to a wide range of customers, and has a warm, welcoming vibe. Great pizzas, burgers and tapas choices. If you fancy yourself as a potential recording superstar, rock up to their open mic sessions.

Address: 12 Industrial Place Queenstown.

Website: click here.

What to drink (typical styles you’ll find):

• Rotating craft styles (often hop-forward options).
• Seasonal/limited-release beers.
• Potentially small-batch experimentation depending on the season.

Standout features:

• Great for exploring “what’s fresh right now”.
• Ideal if you like talking beer and getting recommendations from the people pouring it.
• Themed sessions including open mic and trivia.

Glenorchy Brew Co

Brewed in Glenorchy but no tap room:

You can't visit the brewery, but their range of brews are available at various retail sites in the region including the Beech Tree Craft Beer Bar (Beach St Queenstown), Gantley's Tavern (Arthurs Point Queenstown), Mrs Woolley's General Store (Glenorchy), Super Liquor Queenstown, Queenstown Bowling Club, and Liquorland Wakatipu (Frankton Queenstown), to name a few.

But don't let that deter you from taking the famous drive from Queenstown to Glenorchy (and you should—it’s one of the most scenic road trips you can do in a half day). So head to Glenorchy then pop into Mrs Woolleys' for a quick beer.

Website: click here.

What to drink (typical styles you’ll find):

• Clean, refreshing styles that suit an outdoors day (pilsners, pale ales).
• Hop-forward options (IPAs).
• Seasonal brews depending on what’s fresh.
• They proudly boast that they use only New Zealand grown hops.

Standout features:

• Visit Mrs Woolley's General Store for a meal and a brew. A natural add-on to the Glenorchy day trip.
• Relaxed vibe—great for lingering before heading back to Queenstown.

Arrowtown Brewing Co

Why you should visit:

Arrowtown Brewing Co don't have a tap house but their beers are sold in more than a dozen Arrowtown establishments (like Bendix Stables, The Fork and Tap, Arrowtown Golf Club), and a few in Queenstown and surrounds (like The Cow, and Beech Tree).

Arrowtown is a charming historic gold-mining village about 20 minutes from Queenstown, and a visit is almost always a highlight for first-timers. Arrowtown Brewing Co makes it even better—because wandering heritage streets pairs beautifully with a well-made pint.

Website: click here.

What to drink (typical styles you’ll find):

• Classic pale ales and IPAs.
• Lagers/pilsners.
• Seasonal releases (often something malty in cooler months).

Standout features:

• Easy to combine with a half-day Arrowtown visit (shops, walks, historic sites).
• Great atmosphere for a late lunch or early evening stop.

What to do nearby:

Walk the Arrow River trails, then finish with a tasting paddle at a local bar.

Craft Beer Bars (great if you can't actually make the breweries in queenstown)

Sometimes the best craft-beer experience in Queenstown is simply finding a bar with a well-chosen tap list—especially if your group is split between beer, cocktails, and wine.

So if you can't make it to the breweries in Queenstown, here's a couple of our most popular craft beer bars:

Atlas Beer Café

Why you should visit:

Atlas is one of Queenstown’s best-known craft beer spots for visitors because it’s central and reliably stocked with a broad selection. If you only have time for one craft-focused bar in town, Atlas is a strong choice. With lake views and a great Steamer Wharf location, it's a great choice for a relaxing afternoon or evening with friends.

Website: click here.

Address: Steamer Wharf Queenstown.

What to drink:

• A rotating lineup of New Zealand craft taps (often including local/regional breweries).
• Bottles/cans with a mix of hop-forward, classic, and seasonal styles.

Standout features:

• Fantastic central location.
• Great for trying multiple breweries in one stop.
• Usually an easy place to ask staff for recommendations (tell them what you normally like and they’ll steer you well).
• Good food choice with burgers, tacos, share plates and steaks.

Tip for first-timers:

If you’re not sure where to begin, ask for “something local and fresh” and mention whether you prefer:

• Crisp and light (lager/pilsner).
• Fruity and aromatic (hazy pale/IPA).
• Bitter and piney (West Coast IPA).
• Dark and roasty (stout/porter).

Smiths Craft Beer House

Why you should visit:

Smiths is one of our craft beer staples. A wide range of craft brews, excellent pub food, and a great downtown location, make it an easy choice if you are staying in central Queenstown.

Website: click here.

Address: 53 Shotover Street Queenstown.

What to drink:

• A changing variety of independent brews, featuring bold flavours. 
• Everything from crisp lagers to hop infused IPAs.

Standout features:

• Great downtown location.
• Good variety of brews from a range of local breweries.
• Excellent food choices.
• Friendly well trained staff, so be sure to ask for their recommendations.

How to best sample the breweries in queenstown

If you’ve got one night:

• Start at a central craft beer bar (Atlas Beer Café) to sample what’s on.
• Then choose one brewery for a longer hang (whichever is closest to where you’re staying).

If you’ve got two to three days:

• Day 1: Queenstown central bar + one local brewery.
• Day 2: Arrowtown afternoon (historic wander + Arrowtown Brewing Co).
• Day 3: Glenorchy scenic drive + Glenorchy Brew Co.

What Beer Styles Suit Queenstown Best?

Queenstown is an “activity town,” so beers that refresh without slowing you down tend to shine:

• Pilsner/Lager: clean, crisp, and perfect after a hike.
• Pale Ale: friendly, balanced, easy choice.
• Hazy IPA: modern, aromatic, “juicy” hops—great if you like less bitterness.
• West Coast IPA: classic bitterness and pine/citrus punch.
• Stout/Porter: ideal in winter or after a cold day in the mountains.

Craft beer tours

Don't risk drinking and driving. Here's a couple of great craft beer tours: