Wānaka Beerworks has come a long way since 1998, when founder Dave Gillies opened Central Otago’s first microbrewery.

Back then, Dave and a friend — owner of the local café Kai Whaka Pai — were craving something a little different. Tired of the same old beer options on the lakefront, they dreamed of the craft beer culture Dave knew from his home state of California. So they rolled up their sleeves and started brewing. That first beer? A crisp golden lager called Brewski — and it’s still pouring today.

What began as a bold idea between mates has grown into a proudly local operation producing over 100,000 litres of beer each year. We’re still brewing onsite at Wānaka Airport, powered by the same mountain spring water that started it all — and now, by solar panels too.