Waiheke Island Brewery and Distillery Tour with Tasting

50 minutes inside a working brewery and distillery, tasting beer and whisky as you learn the craft

A 50-minute guided tour of Heke Brewery and Distillery on Waiheke Island walks you through the processes of brewing and distilling (milling, mashing, fermenting, aging) with samples of both beer and whisky included. Groups stay under 20 people, and tours run most days at 11:15 am. A live guide speaks English, and the minimum age is 18. You can extend the experience with a specialist tasting flight for additional samples.

Step-by-step itinerary

Brewery and distillery tour with samples

• Join 50-minute guided tour
• See working brewery and distillery
• Learn brewing and distilling processes
• Sample beer and whisky
• Explore grounds or enjoy meal

The experience

The tour starts inside the working brewery and distillery, where a guide walks you through how beer and whisky are made side by side. You'll see the milling, mashing, fermenting and aging processes that separate the two, and learn where their paths diverge. The whole thing runs 50 minutes, which keeps the group focused and the space intimate: no more than 20 people on any departure.

You sample both a beer and a whisky during the tour itself. After that, you can either explore the grounds on your own or stay longer: the site has a restaurant where you can order food and drinks at your own cost, or you can book a specialist tasting flight separately to dive deeper into the flavours of what the brewery and distillery make. Tours run most days at 11:15 am and require advance booking.

The facility is wheelchair accessible, and public transportation options are available nearby. You'll need to be at least 18 to join, and the tour suits any fitness level.

What’s included

• A 50-minute guided tour led by a live English-speaking guide.
• a sample of beer and a sample of whisky.
• access to the working brewery and distillery facility.

Options for this experience

2 options

Waiheke Island: Heke Brewery and Distillery Tour, including samplesGuide in English · 11:15

Tour plus a beer and whiskey flightGuide in English · 11:15Beer and whisky flight: stay longer at The Heke and taste a flight of beer and whisky after your guided tour

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 11:15

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Under 18: can't be booked

GroupUp to 25

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancy

Operated by The Heke

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to understand how beer and whisky are actually made, not just taste them. The 50 minutes keeps the pace tight enough to cover the whole process without feeling rushed. The specialist tasting flight option works well if you want to linger and explore the flavours more deeply after the main tour.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What exactly do I see inside the brewery and distillery?

You walk through the working brewery and distillery and watch the processes of milling, mashing, fermenting, distilling and aging as they happen. The guide explains how beer and whisky production overlap and where they differ, so you understand what makes each one distinct.

How many people typically go on one of these tours?

Groups stay under 20 people, which keeps the experience intimate and lets everyone hear the guide and ask questions without the space feeling crowded.

Can I add more tastings beyond the beer and whisky samples included?

Yes, you can book a specialist tasting flight separately to sample more of what the brewery and distillery produce. This extends your time on site and gives you a deeper look at the range of flavours.

What time do the tours start, and do I need to book ahead?

Tours run most days at 11:15 am and require pre-booking. You'll need to reserve your spot before you arrive.

Is there food available if I want to stay longer?

The site has a restaurant where you can order meals and drinks at your own expense after the tour ends, so you can extend your time there if you want.