Sipping Through Southland

Murihiku Southland is a hidden gem for craft beverage enthusiasts. From artisanal gins to locally brewed beers, our region is brimming with unique flavours and creative distillers and brewers. Let’s explore some standout spots that make Southland a must-visit for any beverage lover.

Garston Hops

Garston Hops is a prime example of Southland's agricultural expertise, providing quality hops to local brewers and craft beer makers. Situated in the lush landscapes near Garston, this hop farm is dedicated to sustainable practices and produces a variety of hop strains known for their bold flavours and aromas.

Collaborations with local breweries have led to some truly exceptional brews where the freshness of Garston hops shines through. Whether you're a fan of IPAs or stouts, look for beers that feature these hops for a taste of the local character.
 

Gadoochi Brewery

Gadoochi Brewery has become a pillar of Southland's craft beer scene. Nestled in the heart of Waihōpai Invercargill, this microbrewery is a blend of creativity, hard work, and passion. Tired of overly sweet products, owners Chris and Nicola began crafting their own beverages using just fruit and yeast, leading to the renowned super dry Gadoochi Ciders.

Gadoochi's beer brewing has come a long way since Chris's first attempt, crafted in an old washing machine barrel in the 80s. Now, he has built a state-of-the-art brewery that could easily be considered a work of art. Be sure to visit the Tuatara Lodge Café & Bar to check it out and indulge in a delicious authentic Italian pizza to pair with your Gadoochi drink!

Murihiku Southland is quickly becoming a haven for gin lovers, with its unique distilleries producing spirits that capture the essence of the region. These craft distilleries prioritise local botanicals, often incorporating native herbs and fruits to create distinctive flavour profiles. Each gin reflects the character of Southland, from its lush landscapes to its coastal influences. Visit hot spots like 360 in Invercargill, the top-floor bar at The Langlands Hotel, to get a taste of these local gins or order a bottle online.
 

Rakiura Distilling Company

Inspired by New Zealand's third-largest island, Rakiura Distilling Company has created Third Island Gin as a tribute to Rakiura Stewart Island. It celebrates the island's rich culture, vibrant history, and unspoiled natural beauty at the bottom of the world.

For gin enthusiasts, Third Island Gin is a remarkable find. Distilled and bottled on the island, this gin is crafted using some of the purest rainfall on the planet, along with locally foraged manuka, rimu, and horopito, offering a true taste of Rakiura with every drop.
 

Bluff Distillery

Bluff Gin is another gem from the Southland gin scene. This craft distillery embraces its coastal roots, infusing its gin with locally sourced ingredients that reflect Murihiku Southland. The Bluff Distillery Company was built for Bluffys, as the locals are known, and those who want a taste of life on the edge. Bluff Gin, made onsite in Bluff, is bottled with a unique twist - the iconic custom bottle pays homage to an old glass buoy, reminiscent of the maritime heritage that defines Bluff. The buoys would keep the illegal Japanese whaling nets across our protected Southern Seas afloat. Bluffys would set sail and brave Hell's Gate, an infamous strait of open sea, to lop off these buoys, letting the nets sink into the deep blue. Those who made it back proudly displayed the buoys on their masts, front doors and at their local pub, The Age. A warning sign that's still present to this day, a warning sign to never mess with Bluff.
One sip of Bluff Gin, and you'll feel as if you're here at the very bottom of the world, looking out over Foveaux Strait.

Auld Farm Distillery

Since 1883, Auld Farm Distillery has cultivated grain on their family farm. Three generations of the Roberts family have tended to this fertile land ideal for crops. As they explored new possibilities for their land, they envisioned bottling the essence of their history and story. Their gins truly reflect a grain-to-glass philosophy, or seed-to-sip, using grain from their fields and pure spring water from their onsite distillery. They take pride in knowing the origins and ingredients of their spirits as they grow, harvest, and craft them themselves. Auld Farm Distillery also introduced their Single-Grain Oat Whisky to celebrate the farm's centenary.

Hokonui Moonshine

No exploration of Murihuku Southland’s beverage scene would be complete without mentioning Hokonui Moonshine. This distillery is steeped in the rich history of illicit distilling, a common practice in the region during the early 20th century. Today, Hokonui embraces its past while crafting exceptional spirits that pay homage to traditional methods. With the upper Mataura Valley being one of the best grain-producing areas in Murihiku, Southland grain and other local ingredients are used to produce the time-honoured Hokonui spirit range. 

The legend of Hokonui Moonshine is celebrated in Gore’s redeveloped museum. By recreating the scenes from old with static displays, audio, visuals and artefacts, the museum brings to life the characters and key events of the prohibition era that spawned the moonshine industry. The distillery often hosts tours and tastings, allowing visitors to delve into the fascinating history of moonshining while enjoying the fruits of their labour. Here, you can also get a taste of old Hokonui whiskey, made to the original recipe.

Cheers!