Emerson Brewery, Dunedin Overview

One of the only microbreweries in Dunedin, New Zealand that makes three seasonal beers and eighty year-round beers is Emerson’s Brewery. It was established in 1992 by Richard Emerson, who started the brewery in a cold student flat. Now, the brewery produces around 15000 litres of premium craft beer daily, catering to several local and international customers.

Emerson’s Brewery follows a non-conventional pattern where their beers are not pasteurized and no preservatives, sugar or artificial colouring is added, making it one hundred per cent natural. What’s more, some of their beers are not filtered. Recently, the Brewery opened a new home in the midwest, making it an entire Empire that includes a restaurant, bar and cellar door in addition to the 25-year-old Brewery. This place is a paradise for those who love ales, ciders or beers, especially those who want to taste a range of natural and authentic ones.

What to Do

The guided tour and tasting is one of the only tours at Emerson’s Brewery. This includes a 45-minute tour starting with the introduction of the history of the Brewery, how Richard Emerson established his dream of starting a beer culture, from a student flat to a big-time empire.

This is accompanied by the 5000 L and 1200 L brewery workshop along with a personally detailed explanation of the brewing process including fermentation, malting and bottling.

To end this experience, visitors are given 6 samples of unique craft beers. Visitors can also choose to have these beers along with their meals at the restaurant.

Tickets and Timings

Monday: 10:00 am- 10:00 pm
Tuesday: 10:00 am- 10:00 pm
Wednesday: 10:00 am- 10:00 pm
Thursday: 10:00 am- 12:30 am
Friday: 10:00 am- 12:30 am
Saturday: 10:00 am- 12:30 am
Sunday: 10:00 am- 10:00 pm

Entry to the brewery is free. However, visitors would have to pay for food, beers and tours.
The guided tour and tasting is priced at NZD 28 per person.
The entry fee for the beer club every first Tuesday of the month is NZD 30 per person.
A tasting box with 6 beers and tasting notes will cost around NZD 17.

Facilities and Tips

The brewery also has a restaurant, cellar door and bar.
It is always good to carry an ID. Authority may ask for a Government Issued ID.
The legal age in New Zealand is 18 years.
You will get an Emerson’s Craft Beer tasting tray.
The tour includes an entire guided brewery tour.
There’s a beer club every first Tuesday of the month.
The young crowd usually takes up this space during the evening while the older crowd mostly visits during the day.
Capping season is mostly busy while summers are mostly quiet.

Food

The restaurant at Emerson’s Brewery is called the Taproom and Restaurant. Here, delicacies include pork belly, briskets and smoked beef. Apart from the crafted beer, this place is also well-known for pale ale and wine along with coffee and other beverages. In addition to this, Taproom is also known for its parfait, cookies, friendly staff, service and cosy atmosphere.

Emerson’s cafe and restaurant offer a range of continental dishes right from Sourdough, toasted sandwiches, Creme Fraiche, Binnorie Labna to Ciabatta, Rosotos, Salads and much more. The exclusive 8-course meal includes a variety of meats such as quail, snapper, baby fennel and Pork, to name a few.

How To Reach Emerson Brewery

Located in Dunedin, this brewery is put up on 70 Anzac Avenue quite close to Forsyth Barr Stadium. The closest airport to this destination is Dunedin International Airport (DUD). Cabs and taxis are available at the airport. Many buses go to Emerson’s Brewery from St. Clair Esplanade, Green Island, Weavers Restaurant, The Gallery Cafe and Bar and Port Fish and Supply. The bus route numbers are 77, 8 and 15 that take passengers to Emerson’s Brewery.