Dunedin: Speight's Brewery Tour & Beer Tasting Experience

Summary

Speight’s Brewery history tour with tasting in Dunedin city

You’ll walk through Dunedin’s Speight’s Brewery with a local guide, hearing stories as you pass both historic barrels and modern brewing gear. Smell malt in the air, taste different beers in the Tasting Room, and try pouring your own pint before heading back out into city life—it sticks with you more than you’d expect.

What’s the experience like?

“You ever tried pouring a proper pint?” our guide grinned at me as we shuffled into the old brick halls of Speight’s Brewery in Dunedin. I’d just met him—Pete, born and bred here—and he already had us laughing about his first job cleaning out mash tuns. The place smelled like warm bread and something sharper, maybe hops? It was raining outside (classic Otago), but inside it felt almost cozy, even with the clatter of boots on metal stairs echoing around.

We ducked between shiny tanks and old wooden beams—some bits looked straight out of the 1800s, others were all steel and blue lights. Pete kept tossing in these weird facts (“the yeast here’s older than my granddad!”) and I kept thinking how much work goes into every glass. There was this moment by a window where you could see the city rooftops through the steam. Someone asked about the water, and Pete explained how it still comes from that same spring under the hill. I didn’t expect to care about water, but now I do.

The best part? The tasting room at the end. We crowded around a long table while Pete poured little glasses—amber, gold, dark as coffee. He told us what to sniff for (I mostly got “beer”), but one sip of that Gold Medal Ale and I swear I tasted caramel or maybe toast? Not sure if that’s right but nobody judged. There was this easy chatter between strangers—one guy tried to pronounce “Dunedin” properly and got everyone giggling. We learned to pour our own pint (I made a mess) and honestly, I still think about that first cold sip after all those brewery smells.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Speight's Brewery tour and tasting

• Arrive at Speight's Brewery in Dunedin
• Tour historic and modern brewery floors
• Learn about brewing ingredients and process
• Participate in guided beer tasting
• Learn how to pour the perfect beer

Top questions

How long does the Speight's Brewery tour take?

The tour lasts approximately 75 minutes including time in the Tasting Room at the end.

Is beer tasting included in the Speight's Brewery tour?

Yes, guided beer tasting is included after touring both historic and modern parts of the brewery.

Where is Speight's Brewery located?

Speight's Brewery is in central Dunedin, New Zealand.

How many people are on each tour group?

The maximum group size is 15 travelers per booking.

Are children allowed on this brewery tour?

Children can join if accompanied by an adult; minimum drinking age is 18 for tastings.

Is hotel pickup included for this tour?

No hotel pickup is included; public transport options are available nearby.

What should I wear for the brewery tour?

You need closed-toe, flat-soled shoes for safety during the walking tour.

Is this tour suitable for people with limited mobility?

This walking tour involves stairs; it's not recommended for those who have difficulty walking down stairs or with spinal injuries.

What’s included

Your experience covers entry to Speight’s Brewery, a guided small-group walking tour led by a local expert, all taxes and handling fees, plus a session of beer tasting in their Tasting Room before you head back out into Dunedin city life.