Beer brewing has always been popular throughout Nelson's history. Going back to the first settlements here in the 1840s. English settlers had the know-how and had considerable comprehensive knowledge of brewing techniques, and German immigrants planted hop farms in Moutere Valley. Some have said that Nelson has earned the envious title of the craft brewing capital of New Zealand. Deservedly so as at least 10 or so breweries are making some very tasty original tasting craft beers. Give them a try when visiting Nelson. You will not be disappointed!

 

McCashins Brewery:

660 Main Rd, Stoke, Nelson
 
Well known as New Zealand’s oldest craft and cider brewery. McCashins are situated in Stoke a small township in the middle of Nelson and Richmond. They produce a range of crafted beverages all using the very best natural ingredients. Their truly experienced brewers are experts in their production techniques to consistently manufacture a good diverse range of different tasting styles of beer. 
You can take a tour of the brewery, which is a fantastic experience. Guided by very knowledgeable staff members that know the history of the brewery and can talk you through the process of how these guys create their fine Stoke and Rochdale products. Of course at the end of the tour you do get the opportunity to sample the range of beers and ciders and you may stay for 1 or 2 more and a bite to eat at the restaurant there. 
Bookings recommended and time frames would be around 40 minutes for the tour.
List of beers and Ciders available: 
Stoke Gold, Stoke Dark, Stoke IPA, Stoke Amber, Stoke NPA, Stoke Pilsner, Stoke Light beer 2 % Wakachangi Lager, Classic Apple Cider, Classic Pear Cider, Kiwi Scrumpy Cider, Ginger & Lime Cider Three berry Cider, Strawberry Daquiri Cider, Pina Colada Cider.

Sprig & Fern Brewery:

53 Beach Road Richmond

From its humble beginnings in 2006 the Sprig & Fern Brewery opened its first Tavern. Their range of beers are designed to appeal to all tastes and have taken craft beer to a new level in Nelson. This is real craft beers and ciders made unpasteurised with no additional artificial additives in Nelson at their brewery in Richmond. They have an extensive range as follows:

Pilsner, I.P.A, K.P.A, A.P.A, Tasman Reserve Lager, Fern Lager, Amber Larger, Scotch Ale, Porter, British Best, Three berry Cider, Apple Cider, Grown up Lemonade and Ginger Beer.      

The Sprig & Fern now have seven Taverns in the Nelson region and also two in Wellington and one in Christchurch. They are all independently owned, have a welcoming atmosphere and are a great place to meet up with friends and family for a beer. 

Tracy Banner is the Head Brewer and owner of the Sprig and Fern Breweries along with her husband Ken. The brewer team always attentively administers the usual basic brewing approaches, though they never turn away any opportunities to bring more diverse, compelling and inventive tastes into their range of well-crafted beers. Sporting a bundle of medals from the Brewers Guild of New Zealand International Beer Awards dating right back to 2012 for a number of their popular brews. Their Master brewers have earned the reputation of being one of the best Craft Beer Breweries in Nelson. 

Eddyline Brewery & Pizzeria:

8 Champion Road Box 3179. Richmond 
 
Molly and Mic Heynekamp started the original Eddyline in Colorado and opened the Richmond Eddyline Brewery and Pizzeria in 2016.  They have vast experience in their 20 years plus of commercial brewing and have made the most of experimenting with the different hop varieties NZ has to offer.

The Richmond based brewery produces as much as 1000 liters of its many new Ales and Lager Craft Beer at a time. Current available Beers on Tap are:

·         Tahunanui Pilsner 

·         Kaiteriteri Gold Pilsner

·         Kickin' Back Amber Lager

·         Crank Yanker IPA

·         Summer In the Citra NEIPA IPA

·         Boardrider IPA

·         Island Life IPA

·         Hop Project #6 IPA

·         Pozzy Pale Ale 

·         Low Tide Pale Ale

·         Trail Carver Pale Ale

·         Roaring 40's Porter 


It’s a Family-friendly fun Pub with a homely atmosphere where you can meet up with friends have a beer or two and a snack or a meal. The menu is varied and offers a nice selection of snacks, sandwiches and pizzas all cooked in a traditional wood-fired pizza oven and to finish off the meal there are decadent desserts and coffees.     

Hop Federation Brewery: 

483 Main Road Riwaka Open Daily from 11-6 pm 
 
Simon and Niki Nicholas opened the Hop Federation Brewery in September 2013 moving away from city life in Auckland to the small township of Riwaka right in the middle of the hop growing district of Tasman. Growing their hobby into a full-time business they started with four Kiwi style beers. With great sales both through the national and international markets and has received many accolades for their beers, they are very happy with what they have accomplished over such a short space of time.     


Their core range of beers include:
Larger, Pale Ale, Pilsner, IPAs and Stout 
Also, they have an experimental and seasonal collection which also includes:
APAs and IPAs, Wheat beers, Extra Pale Ales, XPAs and Aged Stouts. 


Simon and Niki are working the business together, with Simon being the chief brewer and Niki head of Sales and Marketing.
Simon built his knowledge and received a truckload of experience whilst being the previous head brewer at Hallertau in Auckland. He uses all of his senses and acquired skills to provide consistent, awesome results.
Gareth, Dean, and Jonas are all experienced brewers working alongside Simon. The team uses a variety of different ingredients and hop strains to brew some of the best craft beers in New Zealand.      

The Workshop Brewery Bar and Eatery:

32 New Street (Opens 3pm till late Wed-Sunday)

 

Owned by Nigel Jerard and Jackie Aislabie the Workshop opened its door In February 2018. Brewing its own IPAs, XPAs, Pilsner and Larger but with a focus on real ales the Workshop has come into the Nelson Beer and Eatery scene with a retro style 1950s café, right in the middle of town. They provide great quality Beer and food with an awesome atmosphere and Live Music most weekends. Give it a go for a funky night out with good eats and some tasty craft beer styles on tap. Also some great local wines on the menu!

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