If you like beer, you’ve probably sampled a few brews around New Zealand. That’s really the only way to find out which beer or beers take your fancy. Well they don’t call it `tried and tested’ for nothing!
One of the South Island’s best-known beers is Speight’s. The Speights Brewery was founded in 1876 and still stands on its original Dunedin site, with several of the buildings dating back to the late-1800s.
The brewery has kept its heritage alive with an interactive tour of the fully functioning brewery. During the 90-minute tour, you’ll see, smell, touch and taste the ingredients that go into making Speight’s beers, and discover how Speight’s became a legend in the south. There’s a chance to learn the history of beer making, the brewing process and how to make traditional wooden beer casks.
And the best thing about the tour is you get to sample some Speight’s at the end of it. At the Brewery Bar you can pour your own and enjoy sampling six different Speight’s beers.
There’s also a Speight’s shop, where you can buy some genuine Speight’s gear for souvenirs. So you can show all your friends that you were actually there when you get home.
The daily 90-minute tour of the historic Speight’s Brewery costs $19.
The Speight’s Brewery is at 200 Rattray Street, Dunedin, just five minutes from The Octagon.
Make sure you arrive 10 minutes before the tour starts, and don’t forget to wear covered shoes.
Tours are held every day except Christmas Day at 10am, 12pm, 2pm, 6pm and 7pm on Monday to Thursday and 10am, 12pm, 2pm, 4pm and 6pm on Friday to Sunday.
For more information call 03 477 7697 or email: tours@speights.co.nz or visit www.speights.co.nz
Written by Rachel Pinder, 2009
Rachel stayed at Hogwartz Backpackers on Rattray Street, Dunedin, with hosts Gilbert and Maja. Telephone: 03 474 1487.
