Cityscape puts its beer goggles on and tracks down the best places to sample craft beers both local and from further afield.

We’ve come a long way from a nation where you could have any beer you liked so long as it was made by Lion or DB. Since the craft beer revolution kicked off in the 1980s, some of those original breweries are now themselves large enterprises, and there seems to be a new boutique label every other week. Add to that the ever-expanding offering of brew pubs, beer-focused restaurants and bars, boutique fill stations and bottle stores and you have a nation of beer drinkers confronted by more choice than time to sample and choose. Now ain’t that a First World problem!

Ask the brewers and they will say it is their customers’ openness to trying new styles and flavours that drives innovation in the New Zealand industry – as Sprig & Fern head brewer Tracy Banner says, in the UK customers still rock up to the bar and ask for “the lager, “the ale” or “the bitter”, whereas Kiwi beer drinkers embrace the choices on offer and are willing to try something new. That support for innovation is what marks out New Zealand craft brewers, and means that if there were a Craft Beer Olympics, we would definitely be on the podium getting medals.

So here’s to you, the dedicated beer drinkers out there. Pat yourself on the back and crack the top off one of your favourites before settling back and catching up with developments at our top breweries.

Three Boys Brewery Family-owned Three Boys Brewery has made a name for itself with the personal attention it pays to each small-scale brew, carefully mothering each batch until the unfiltered, unpasteurised beer leaves its Ferry Road operation. The goal is simple: turning out the best possible beer with the finest possible taste. It’s an approach that’s seen Three Boys rack up awards aplenty, and demand for their liquid gold means it is exported as far as the UK.

Kaiser Brew Garden is one of the newest hospitality hotspots. Located on top of the bustling Riverside Market, it offers a stunning setting where you can meet, mingle and enjoy a brew, speciality G&T or fine wine.

The Fermentist Worthy of praise for their commitment to sustainability in everything they do, this micro-brewery also just makes great beer! Head brewer Kirsten embraces the company’s motto of “Explorations and Discoveries in Fermentation” to produce a full range of all your favourite styles, plus an occasional seasonal experiment.

Wigram Brewing Co. Wigram Brewing Co. is a highly awarded and well established star of the Christchurch scene. The brewery and fillery are open for tours and tastings, gift packs and takeaway riggers. Seasonal releases allow the dedicated brewers to put their own spin on emerging styles, which then join the roster of must-have staples like Mustang Pale Ale and Bavarian Pilsner.

Southpaw Brewing Company brewed its first beer, an American Pale Ale called Uncle Charlie, in 2016. They have grown steadily since, adding new beers both seasonally and in their core line-up. The team have won awards for many of their beers at the Brewers’ Guild NZ Beer Awards, most recently a gold medal for their New Brighton lager.

Sprig & Fern Brewery Under the leadership of head brewer Tracy Banner, Sprig & Fern Brewery continues to produce award-winning craft beers, always with at least two limited-edition offerings in addition to its wide range that runs from crisp lagers through pale ales to an English Best Bitter style and a full-bodied Porter. To experience the full range, head to the Sprig & Fern Tavern in Merivale.

Canterbury Brewers Collective, in the hip Riverside Market, specialise in locally made craft beers and ciders. You can pull up a stool and enjoy a beer at the chilled out bar or take a container of brewery-fresh beer home, seven days a week.

Dux Central If it is choice you are after, Dux Central is the place – there are about 180 beers available at any one time, ranging in price from $8 to $100. As well as the killer range of Dux beers, you can sample other local boutique craft beers and more.

The Craft Embassy On level one of The Terrace, this award-winning bar and restaurant has about 30 independent craft beers on tap.

The Brewery Cassels and Sons’ popular gastropub hangout at The Tannery is the perfect place to explore the brews behind a name that has become a legend in craft beer in Christchurch. Their awards include many gold, silver and bronze medals for their Milk Stout, Lager, Pale Ale, IPA and Dunkel, and they don’t rest on their hops, they use them to make even more great beer. So get along to The Tannery and get reacquainted.

Moon Under Water An extensive list of tap beers is then dwarfed by what they have in the fridge at Moon Under Water, so make sure you get along and find the style(s) you want to hang out with.

Pomeroy’s Old Brewery Inn Home to brewing aristocracy in the form of the Beer Baroness (Ava Wilson), Pomeroy’s Old Brewery Inn continues mid-19th Century brewery traditions established by the building’s original owners, Wards Brewery.

Civil & Naval Lyttelton den of cool Civil & Naval makes a concerted effort to be the biggest little brew bar, paying careful attention to its beer selection. A choice of draft beers rotate daily and others from a host of local breweries are available.

The Beer Library Garth’s beer-lover’s haven in Sydenham offers one of the largest selections of craft beer in the region.

Volstead Trading Company You’ll find craft beers of all stripes and a super relaxed atmosphere in which to enjoy them at Volstead – there’s one of the widest selections available in the city.

Amberley-based brewery Brew Moon Brewing Company have 16 of their own beers on tap. There are fresh and funky seasonal brews sitting alongside delicious classic styles. Grab one of their fresh pizzas while you are there.