Brew of Islands Beer Festival

Each June, Kerikeri’s Turner Centre transforms into New Zealand’s craft beer playground as Brew of Islands brings together eight of Aotearoa’s finest breweries for a day of tasting, music, and celebration. With around 50 different beers on offer, live bands, street performers, and food from some of Northland’s best culinary talents, this R18 festival has become a highlight of the Far North’s winter calendar. Running two sessions each day, Brew of Islands offers craft beer enthusiasts the chance to sample exceptional brews in a relaxed festival atmosphere while showcasing the best of Northland’s creativity and hospitality.

The Event at a Glance

Brew of Islands runs over one day in late June, with two four-hour sessions allowing attendees to choose afternoon or evening timeframes, or commit to both for the full experience. The afternoon session runs from midday to 4pm, while the evening session picks up at 6pm and continues until 10pm. Tickets are affordable, with group discounts available for parties of six or more, making it easy to bring friends along for a proper craft beer adventure.

The Turner Centre in Kerikeri provides an ideal indoor venue, especially welcome during winter months when outdoor festivals lose their appeal. Eight carefully selected craft breweries set up stations throughout the space, each pouring samples, mid-size pours, and full cups of their range. Attendees receive a reusable 400ml cup upon entry, which becomes their trusted companion for the session as they navigate between brewers, trying new releases, old favourites, and limited-edition specials.

The festival operates as a cashless event with eftpos available at each brewery station, streamlining transactions and keeping the focus on the beer. For those not keen on beer, Kindred Spirits runs a cocktail bar, while a dedicated gin bar from Black Collar Distillery caters to G&T enthusiasts. Non-alcoholic options ensure designated drivers and non-drinkers can still participate in the festival atmosphere.

Eight Breweries, Endless Variety

The brewery lineup brings together a mix of local Northland producers and nationally recognized names, creating a diverse range of styles and flavours. Kerikeri’s own Kainui Brew Co, named New Zealand’s Best Micro Brewery in 2022, represents the home team alongside PhatHouse Brewing Co from the Bay of Islands. These local brewers showcase what Northland’s craft beer scene has developed into, with Kainui’s experimental farmhouse ales and PhatHouse’s fresh, preservative-free brews earning devoted followings.

From further afield but still Northland-adjacent, McLeod’s Brewery brings their award-winning range from Waipu, having been crowned Champion Medium Brewery in 2020. Their beers reflect Northland’s character, from their popular Longboarder Lager to limited barrel-aged rarities. 8 Wired from Matakana, with their extensive barrel-aging programme, offers festival-goers access to sour beers and experimental brews that demonstrate the complexity craft beer can achieve.

The festival consistently attracts powerhouse Auckland and Wellington breweries including Garage Project, Urbanaut, Parrotdog, and Double Vision. These brewers bring reputation, innovation, and beers that rarely make it to Northland in any other context. Garage Project’s boundary-pushing approach, Urbanaut’s fresh brut styles, Parrotdog’s approachable quality, and Double Vision’s creative interpretations give attendees exposure to beers they’d otherwise need to travel to major centres to taste.

Each brewery typically brings six to eight different beers, with the option to restrict special or limited releases to sample-size pours. This variety means even serious craft beer enthusiasts who’ve tried everything their local bottle shop offers will find new discoveries. The brewers themselves are present, sharing stories about their beers, explaining their processes, and offering recommendations based on what you’ve enjoyed.

More Than Just Beer

Food vendors bring quality kai that complements the beer rather than just filling stomachs. Award-winning chef Colin Ashton’s Soda Creek Catering serves line-caught snapper sliders, embracing Northland’s kaimoana tradition. Barbecue B.O.I., working with Fat Boy BBQ and The Coal Kids, delivers low-and-slow barbecue hot off the coals. The Veggie Tree’s Anna Valentine offers spiced Indian pakoras made with local seasonal vegetables and edible weeds from her wild garden.

Mrs Miller’s Mussel Fritters brings their famous kutai fritters, flash-fried and served hot. Northland Fine Food contributes German beer festival classics—fresh bratwurst with sauerkraut and pretzels with beer cheese dip. The food matches the festival’s emphasis on quality and local provenance, with most vendors using Northland-grown or caught ingredients. The variety ensures everyone finds something appealing, whether committed carnivores or plant-based eaters.

Live music runs throughout both sessions, with four bands and multiple DJs keeping energy high. The lineup typically features a mix of genres, from New Orleans-style brass bands to indie folk, reggae-rock fusion, and electronic sets. A dance floor area with dedicated lighting creates a nightclub atmosphere during evening sessions, while afternoon sessions maintain a more relaxed vibe. Street performer Conrad Coom and his troupe of costumed characters roam the venue, adding unexpected entertainment between the beer stations.

The Festival Experience

The format encourages exploration rather than settling in one spot. Attendees circulate between brewery stations, comparing notes with strangers about which beers stand out, debating the merits of different styles, and gradually narrowing their focus as they identify favourites. The reusable cup system means you’re constantly refilling rather than accumulating empties, and the variety of pour sizes lets you adjust commitment levels as the session progresses.

Groups of friends arrive with plans to try everything but quickly develop preferences, with some gravitating toward hoppy IPAs while others chase barrel-aged rarities. Conversations with brewers add context, turning simple beer consumption into education about ingredients, processes, and the decisions that create distinct flavours. The festival attracts serious beer geeks who bring tasting notebooks alongside casual drinkers simply wanting a fun winter afternoon.

Safety and responsible consumption receive strong emphasis. Taps close 30 minutes before session end, with clear announcements providing warning. A Safe Zone offers space for anyone needing to rest, though accessing it means forfeiting reentry. ID checks are strict, staff refuse service to anyone showing intoxication, and the no-reentry policy prevents people leaving to drink elsewhere then returning. Transport solutions help attendees get to and from Kerikeri safely, though details vary year to year.

The festival’s R18 restriction creates an adult atmosphere where everyone’s there for the beer and music rather than managing children. This allows the event to maintain its focus while keeping the vibe relaxed and celebratory rather than rowdy. Most attendees pace themselves sensibly, understanding that rushing through 50 beers defeats the purpose when quality and variety are the main attractions.

A Northland Celebration

Brew of Islands has become more than just a beer festival. It represents Northland’s growing confidence in its craft beer scene and the region’s ability to host events that attract national interest. The festival brings brewery representatives and beer enthusiasts to Kerikeri who might otherwise never visit, introducing them to the Far North’s appeal while giving locals access to beers normally requiring Auckland trips to sample.

The event coincides with winter when tourism quiets, providing economic benefit during an otherwise slower period. Local accommodation, restaurants, and attractions benefit from the influx of visitors who often extend their stay beyond festival day. The Turner Centre’s involvement strengthens the venue’s connection to the community, demonstrating its versatility beyond traditional arts programming.

The homebrew competition run alongside the main festival encourages local brewing experimentation, with categories covering dark beers, lagers, ales, specialty brews, and first-time entrants. Winners earn recognition from professional brewers whose expertise attendees spend the day sampling. This connection between home brewing and professional craft brewing echoes the origins of New Zealand’s craft beer movement, where hobbyists gradually evolved into commercial brewers.

Plan Your Visit

If craft beer interests you and you’re in Northland during late June, Brew of Islands deserves attention. The combination of variety, quality, and festival atmosphere creates an experience that bottle shops and bars can’t replicate. The choice between afternoon and evening sessions, or attending both, means you can tailor commitment to your interest level and stamina.

Tickets typically go on sale months in advance, with early purchase securing lower prices. The group discount makes organizing friends worthwhile—six tickets together save everyone money while ensuring you’ve got company for comparing notes throughout the session. Accommodation in Kerikeri books up quickly for festival weekend, so planning ahead matters if you’re traveling from outside the area.

The winter timing means preparing for cool weather outside, though the Turner Centre is heated and the combination of body heat and activity keeps things warm inside. Having transport arranged before the session starts removes stress and allows full participation without worrying about driving afterward. The festival’s cashless system means leaving cash at home but ensuring your card works and has sufficient balance for both beer and food.

For full event details, ticket sales, brewery lineup announcements, and updates on transport options, visit the Brew of Islands website.