The Most Popular Beer in NZ, Ranked

Choose the beer you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 5, 2024 06:30
In New Zealand, where local and international beers blend into an exciting hops-laden culture, knowing which beer tops the list can significantly enhance one's drinking experience. Whether you are a resident or a traveler, a reliable list of top-ranked beers can help you choose your next pint with confidence. Enthusiasts and casual sippers alike benefit from understanding market trends and crowd favorites. This dynamic list of New Zealand's most cherished beers is driven by the votes of users like you. By participating, not only do you get to ensure your preferred brews receive the recognition they deserve, but you also contribute to a broader, user-powered guide. Engage with the community, share your opinions, and watch how collective preferences shape this fluid lineup.

What Is the Most Popular Beer in NZ?

  1. 1
    58
    votes
    This beer is a popular brand in New Zealand and has been around since 1876. It is brewed in Dunedin and is known for its unique taste and texture.
    Speight's is a popular beer in New Zealand known for its distinctive taste and rich history. It is a lager that has been crafted to perfection, appealing to beer enthusiasts across the country.
    • Type: Lager
    • Alcohol Content: 4.0% ABV
    • Color: Golden amber
    • Bitterness: Moderate
    • Aroma: Malty with hints of caramel
  2. 2
    34
    votes

    Lion Red

    Lion Breweries
    Lion Red is another popular beer in New Zealand. It is a lager beer and has been around since 1981. It is popular among the working-class population in New Zealand.
    Lion Red is a popular beer in New Zealand known for its rich flavor and deep amber color. It is a classic Kiwi lager that has gained a loyal following over the years.
    • Type: Lager
    • ABV: 4.0%
    • Color: Deep amber
    • Bitterness: Moderate
    • Flavor: Rich and malty
  3. 3
    21
    votes
    Steinlager is a premium beer brand in New Zealand. It is a lager beer and has been around since 1958. It is known for its smooth taste and is popular among beer lovers in New Zealand.
    Steinlager is a renowned beer brand in New Zealand renowned for its crisp and refreshing taste. It is a lager beer that perfectly balances malt sweetness with a slightly bitter hop finish. Steinlager is popular amongst beer enthusiasts for its smooth and satisfying flavor.
    • Type: Lager
    • Alcohol Content: 5%
    • Color: Pale golden
    • Taste Profile: Crisp and refreshing
    • Aroma: Mild malt and hop notes
  4. 4
    21
    votes

    Tui

    Tui is another popular beer brand in New Zealand. It is a pale lager beer and has been around since 1889. It is known for its refreshing taste and is popular among the youth population in New Zealand.
    Tui is a popular beer in New Zealand known for its distinct taste and unique branding. It is a pale lager beer that embodies the Kiwi spirit of relaxed enjoyment.
    • Type: Pale Lager
    • Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 4%
    • Color: Pale yellow
    • Bitterness (IBU): 10-15
    • Aroma: Mild malt and hop
  5. 5
    11
    votes
    Monteith's is a popular beer brand in New Zealand. It is a craft beer and has been around since 1868. It is known for its unique taste and is popular among beer lovers in New Zealand.
    Monteith's is a renowned beer brand in New Zealand, known for crafting unique and flavorful brews. It has gained a loyal following with its commitment to using quality local ingredients and maintaining traditional brewing methods.
    • ABV: varies depending on the beer type, typically between 4% and 6.5%
    • Beer Style: various styles including lagers, ales, and ciders
    • Hops: varies depending on the beer type, often using New Zealand hops like Nelson Sauvin and Riwaka
    • Color: ranges from light golden to deep amber, depending on the beer type
    • Flavor Profile: offers a wide range of flavors, from crisp and refreshing to rich and malty, with hints of fruit, caramel, and spices
  6. 6
    8
    votes
    Mac's is a popular beer brand in New Zealand. It is a craft beer and has been around since 1981. It is known for its unique taste and is popular among beer lovers in New Zealand.
    Mac's is a popular beer in New Zealand known for its unique and innovative flavors. It is a craft beer brand that offers a wide range of styles to cater to different preferences.
    • Alcohol by Volume (ABV): Varies by beer style, typically between 4% - 6%
    • Color: Ranges from pale golden to deep amber depending on the beer style
    • Bitterness (IBU): Varies by beer style, typically between 20 - 50 IBU
    • Available Beer Styles: Pale Ales, IPAs, Lagers, Pilsners, Porters, Stouts, and more
    • Flavor Profile: Wide range of flavors including citrus, tropical fruits, caramel, chocolate, and roasted malt notes
  7. 7
    10
    votes

    DB Draught

    DB Breweries
    DB Draught is a popular beer brand in New Zealand. It is a lager beer and has been around since 1929. It is popular among the working-class population in New Zealand.
    DB Draught is a popular beer in New Zealand and is known for its rich and full-bodied flavor. It is a classic Kiwi draught beer that has been enjoyed for generations. DB Draught is a smooth and refreshing lager with a distinctive amber color and a well-balanced taste.
    • Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 4.0%
    • Beer style: Lager
    • Color: Amber
    • Flavor notes: Rich, full-bodied
    • Aroma: Malty, hoppy
  8. 8
    17
    votes
    Emerson's is a popular beer brand in New Zealand. It is a craft beer and has been around since 1992. It is known for its unique taste and is popular among beer lovers in New Zealand.
    Emerson's is a popular beer in New Zealand known for its exceptional quality and distinct flavors. It is crafted by Emerson's Brewery, a well-established brewery located in Dunedin. With a rich history of brewing, Emerson's has gained a loyal following of beer enthusiasts in New Zealand and beyond.
    • Alcohol by Volume (ABV): Varies by beer style
    • Beer Style: Various styles including IPA, Pilsner, Porter, Lager, etc.
    • Bitterness: Varies by beer style
    • Color: Ranges from light golden to dark amber, depending on the style
    • Flavor Profile: Balanced, hop-driven, malty, or roasty, depending on the style
  9. 9
    5
    votes
    Epic is a popular beer brand in New Zealand. It is a craft beer and has been around since 2006. It is known for its unique taste and is popular among beer lovers in New Zealand.
    Epic is a renowned New Zealand craft beer that has gained popularity for its exceptional taste and quality. It is known for its balanced flavors, innovative brewing techniques, and a refreshing profile that appeals to beer enthusiasts.
    • ABV: Varies by beer style
    • IBU: Varies by beer style
    • Beer Style: Various styles, including IPAs, Pale Ales, Lagers, etc.
    • Hops: Carefully selected premium hops
    • Malt: High-quality malted barley
  10. 10
    11
    votes
    Garage Project is a popular beer brand in New Zealand. It is a craft beer and has been around since 2011. It is known for its unique taste and is popular among beer lovers in New Zealand.
    Garage Project is a renowned craft brewery based in Wellington, New Zealand. They are known for their innovative, experimental and high-quality beers that push the boundaries of traditional brewing styles. Garage Project is often credited with leading the craft beer revolution in New Zealand. The brewery takes pride in its unique and ever-changing range of brews, each with its own concept, story, and artwork. Their dedication to craftsmanship and flavor has earned them a loyal following among beer enthusiasts and connoisseurs.
    • Location: Wellington, New Zealand
    • Year Established: 2011
    • Beer Styles: Wide variety including IPAs, sours, stouts, and experimental brews
    • Focus: Innovation and pushing boundaries
    • Packaging: Distinctive and creative labels and cans

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Ranking factors for popular beer

  1. Market Share
    Analyzing the market share of a beer brand in the overall beer market helps to determine its popularity in relation to competing brands.
  2. Consumer Ratings and Reviews
    Evaluating consumer feedback in the form of ratings and reviews helps to gauge public opinion on a particular beer. A higher rating typically represents higher satisfaction and preference.
  3. Brand Recognition and Visibility
    The level of awareness and recognition a beer brand has among consumers influences its popularity. Greater recognition usually translates to higher popularity.
  4. Availability and Distribution
    A beer's presence across various retail outlets and on-premise establishments such as bars and restaurants can impact its popularity. A beer brand that is readily available and easily accessible is likely to be more popular among consumers.
  5. Social Media Presence and Engagement
    Analyzing the extent to which a beer brand is discussed, mentioned, or promoted on social media platforms can help assess its popularity among potential and existing consumers.
  6. Awards and Accolades
    Winning prestigious awards in competitions or receiving recognition from reputable industry publications can boost a beer's credibility and popularity.
  7. Price
    The price of the beer can play a role in its popularity, as more affordable options may attract a larger segment of consumers.
  8. Taste and Flavor Profile
    A beer's taste and flavor profile influence its appeal to consumers. Unique and appealing flavor profiles can contribute to a beer's popularity.
  9. Packaging and Design
    Eye-catching packaging and labels can make a beer stand out on the shelf and attract consumers, potentially increasing its popularity.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular beer in NZ. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or beer is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 7142 views
  • 184 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each beer once every 24 hours. The rank of each beer is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

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More information on most popular beer in nz

New Zealand is a country with a rich history of beer brewing. From the traditional ale houses of the early settlers to the modern craft breweries of today, beer has always been a staple of Kiwi culture. With such a diverse range of beers available, it's no wonder that the people of New Zealand have a strong affection for this beverage. But what is the most popular beer in NZ? Let's take a closer look at the top contenders and see which brew reigns supreme in the land of the long white cloud.

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