Queenstown: Craft Beer Brewery Tour with Lunch

Three breweries, 13 local beers and a proper lunch make this a fine way to spend an afternoon beyond central Queenstown. You get more than a succession of tasting glasses: there’s an interactive brewery visit, a guided look at the area and transport between stops.

I like two things in particular: you can choose the beers that suit you, and the included lunch is designed around food and beer pairings. A previous lunch format included four courses, each with a beer, which makes the meal a real part of the outing rather than a quick bite.

The main consideration is pace. Five hours is a long afternoon of tasting, and beer is the focus even if cider, wine and ginger beer are also available. If you prefer only a brief sample or need to drive yourself afterward, this may not be the right fit.

At a glance

• Three brewery stops: Visit three local spots, with time to taste at each.
• Thirteen beers to try: Choose samples that appeal to you, from stouts to lagers.
• An interactive brewery visit: One stop includes a guided look at how beer is made.
• A substantial paired lunch: Food and beer are matched, with a four-course format reported.
• Local guiding: Your guide is from Queenstown; Lewis has led the tour.
• Pickup and transport included: Choose from many pickup points around Queenstown, then settle in for the ride.

Three breweries, with three different roles

The tour is built around three brewery stops, but they are not simply repeats of one another. You start with a tasting visit, make time for a village stop and a beer-paired lunch, then finish with another tasting in Queenstown. That rhythm gives the afternoon some variety: you get beer, a meal, a little time out of the van and another chance to compare styles.

Across the three breweries, the tour includes 13 local craft beers. You can choose the beers that interest you, rather than being handed the same set regardless of taste. If you enjoy dark, full-bodied stouts, there should be something to explore; if you prefer crisp lagers, those are part of the selection too.

The choice matters for newcomers as much as beer enthusiasts. You don’t need to arrive with a list of styles you want to try. Use the tasting stops to compare what you already like with something new, and ask your guide for help choosing. The tour is designed to welcome people who are new to craft beer, not just those who can talk hops for an hour.

The stated total is 13 beers across three breweries, not 13 full pints. That distinction is worth keeping in mind when you plan the rest of your day. You’ll be tasting over several hours, with a meal in the middle, but you should still expect alcohol to be a central part of the outing.

The first stop: an easy start to tasting

The first brewery stop allows about an hour for beer. That is enough time to settle in, look through the options and sample several styles without rushing straight through the afternoon. The guide can help make the choice personal: pick a beer you know you enjoy, then consider a contrasting style to make the tasting more interesting.

The tour is also a good chance to learn what you like, rather than simply counting samples. A lager and a stout offer very different experiences; if both are on offer, comparing them can help you notice the difference in weight and flavour. The tour does not promise a formal tasting lesson at every brewery, so treat this stop as a relaxed introduction rather than a classroom session.

You’ll reach the first venue after a short drive of roughly 15 minutes. That’s useful if you’re staying in central Queenstown or at one of the listed pickup points, since the tour handles the transport instead of leaving you to work out how to move between breweries after drinking.

The village pause and brewery tour

After the first tasting, the van ride to the next part of the tour takes about 30 minutes. There’s then around half an hour of free time in a traditional village before the group moves on for lunch. The village is a change of pace from the brewery visits, and a welcome chance to stretch your legs.

The tour information doesn’t name the village or spell out what you’ll do there, so don’t build a detailed sightseeing plan around this stop. Think of it as a brief pause in the afternoon, not a full village visit. If you’re hoping to spend time browsing shops or seeing a particular attraction, ask the operator what is practical before booking.

The second brewery is where the interactive brewery tour takes place. You’ll hear about the process and the choices involved in making beer, adding context to the tasting glasses. The tour does not specify the exact length of this brewery visit, but it forms part of a stop that includes lunch and lasts about an hour and 15 minutes.

This is the most useful stop for anyone curious about how beer is made. Tasting can tell you what you prefer; a brewery tour helps connect that preference to the brewing process. You don’t need technical knowledge to get something from it, and the interactive format should leave room for questions.

A beer-paired lunch worth pacing yourself for

Lunch is included, and the food is paired with beer. That makes the meal more than a practical break: it gives you a chance to see how a beer works alongside food, rather than tasting each one on its own. If you’re interested in pairing, notice which combinations you enjoy and which don’t suit your palate.

A four-course format, with a beer served alongside each course, has been described as generous and filling. The exact menu is not specified, so don’t count on particular dishes or assume that every sitting will have the same courses. Dietary requirements can be catered for, but it’s sensible to tell the operator about yours ahead of time rather than waiting until you arrive.

Because lunch comes after the first tasting and before the final brewery, pace yourself early on. The tour’s samples are spread across five hours, but a relaxed start leaves more room to enjoy the meal and the last stop. You can also buy extra food or tastings at the venues, though the included lunch and tastings already make for a full outing.

Finishing with a final Queenstown tasting

After lunch, the van ride to the last stop is very short, around six minutes. You’ll have about an hour for the final beer stop in Queenstown, then another brief ride before drop-off. That last tasting gives you time to revisit a style you liked or try a different option before the tour ends.

The schedule has three distinct tasting periods, with lunch as the anchor in the middle. That’s more comfortable than trying to visit three breweries in one quick circuit, though it still adds up to a substantial afternoon of alcohol. You can choose what to sample, so there’s no need to treat the number 13 as a target you must reach.

If craft beer isn’t your first choice, you’re not limited to it. The tour notes that breweries also offer local wine, cider and alcoholic ginger beer, as well as refreshing lagers. Ask what is available at each venue, since the exact options may differ from stop to stop.

The guide and the view from the van

A guide born and raised in Queenstown brings more than brewery information to the trip. The tour also includes local history and scenery between stops, with views of lakes and surrounding country along the way. That context can help you understand the places beyond the tasting rooms, especially if this is one of your first outings outside the central area.

Lewis is a guide associated with the tour, and his easygoing approach and knowledge of beer and the region have been praised. Guide assignments can vary, so don’t assume he will lead every departure. The useful point is that the tour is led by a local, rather than relying on transport alone to connect the breweries.

The ride itself is part of the practical value. Pickup and drop-off are offered from many places in Queenstown, including the airport, hotels and several lodges. Your exact pickup time depends on where you’re staying and is confirmed after booking. You can ask about a pickup point that isn’t listed, and you may be able to finish somewhere different from where you started if you arrange it with the driver.

What $110 buys you

At $110 per person, the price includes transport, a local guide, all tastings at three breweries, an interactive brewery tour, the paired lunch and a post-tour discount beer voucher. That is a useful bundle: you don’t have to arrange a designated driver, pay separate fares between venues or purchase each included tasting as you go.

The food makes a notable difference to the value. A multi-course lunch with beer pairings would be a sizeable part of an afternoon out on its own, and the reported four-course format suggests you should arrive ready for a proper meal. Extra food and tastings can be purchased separately, but they are optional.

It’s best value if you want the full package: local transport, several brewery stops and lunch in one half-day outing. If you’re mainly after one beer or already have a car and a list of breweries you want to visit, you may prefer to make your own plans. Here, you’re paying for a guided route and a shared experience as well as the drinks.

Who will enjoy this afternoon

This tour suits beer fans who want to sample a range of local styles without organizing transport. It also works well for curious beginners, thanks to the ability to pick your tastings and the brewery visit that explains the process. The local guide and stops outside the CBD add a sense of place that a single tasting room can’t provide.

It can suit a mixed group, too, if not everyone is keen on craft beer. Wine, cider and alcoholic ginger beer are available at the breweries, though the outing remains centered on beer. If someone in your group does not drink alcohol, the tour details don’t specify a non-alcoholic tasting option, so check before booking.

Children under 10 are not suitable for this activity, and minors cannot attend unaccompanied. The tour requires at least two participants to operate. If the minimum is not met, an alternative date or a full refund is offered.

Small details to sort before you go

The tour lasts five hours, and the starting time depends on availability. Pickup is included from most places in Queenstown, but the operator confirms your precise time after you book. Check that your location is covered, or ask if you can’t find it among the options.

Wear something comfortable for a few short van rides and time on your feet at the stops. Food and drink are not allowed in the vehicle, so keep any snacks or takeaway for after the ride. The tour also prohibits weapons and sharp objects, pets other than assistance dogs, littering, and alcohol or drugs outside the activity’s planned tastings.

You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately. Those terms help if your Queenstown plans are still taking shape, but check availability for the day you want before building the rest of your itinerary around it.

Should you book the Queenstown brewery tour?

Book it if you want a sociable, guided afternoon with three brewery stops, 13 beer choices, a substantial paired lunch and transport already arranged. The combination of local guiding, the interactive brewery visit and the meal gives the five-hour outing more shape than a simple tasting crawl.

Think twice if you want only a quick drink, dislike spending much of an afternoon around alcohol, or would rather choose every stop yourself. If you’re keen to explore Queenstown’s beer scene without driving, and enjoy taking time over food as well as drink, the $110 price is a reasonable way to do it.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts five hours, including transport, brewery visits, lunch and a short free-time stop.

How many breweries and beers are included?

You visit three local breweries and can sample 13 different local craft beers. You can choose the beers that interest you.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A beer-and-food-paired lunch is included. A four-course meal with a beer alongside each course has been described, but the exact menu is not specified.

Is pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included from most places in Queenstown. The exact pickup time depends on your location and is confirmed after booking.

Can I choose drinks other than craft beer?

The breweries also offer local wine, cider and alcoholic ginger beer, and the tour notes that crisp lagers are available. Options may vary by venue.

Can children join the tour?

Children under 10 are not suitable for this activity. Minors cannot attend unaccompanied.