A modern-day craft production brewery based in Wanaka was inspired by founders’ Oli Boyes and Jules Webster’s addiction to climbing and mountaineering.

““Climbing and mountaineering are their biggest obsessions, after beer, and relate to how the venture Ground Up Brewing is run,” says Ground Up Marketing & Events Manager Kat Alexander. ” Most of our beers are named after some of the routes and climbs they completed together or are on their climbing bucket list. Most of our beers are named after some of the routes and climbs they have completed together or are on their bucket list.”

After quitting their day jobs back in 2015 the pair set up the business, teaching themselves how to brew. Fast forward seven years and Ground Up Brewing is now a 1200-litre brew house with over 80 beers to its name.

“The equipment that we brew with is over 40 years old and has a good story to tell having been restored and modernised. It originally belonged to Terry McCashin, the godfather of craft beer in New Zealand, and was set up in a brew bar in Canterbury. We use 100 per cent renewable energy, recover energy through a heat exchanger and all our used grain goes to stock food.”

With its cult following Ground Up Brewing tap room is well worth a visit during winter with 22 finely crafted beers on tap including  Pilsner’s to Hazy’s to barrel aged brews.

“ We have a unique selection of nitro style beers that give an extremely creamy flavour profile with local favourites being the Cowboy Amber Ale which are well worth sampling.”

Each beer has a sentiment from the “ground up” including those named after difficult mountain climbs  such as the NZ IPA ‘Punks in the Gym’ which is a legendary challenging Australian climbing route.

The brewery atmosphere is friendly, welcoming and relaxed.

“It’s super relaxed here with our bar manager Annie Gelinas running a small team working together to create an awesome place to drink beer. Our brewery boys are always coming up with creative new beers to sample and our bar crew love to chat and pour customers the very best pints. The Wanaka Wich Project have their own food truck here serving American style sandwich and bar snacks with an ever-evolving food offering crafted around our beers.”

“Festoon lighting and outdoor heating has been installed on the front deck which is a great place to cosy upthis winter and enjoy your favourite pints,” says Kat. “We host plenty of social events such as our weekly winter quiz nights with MC Nick Cane and live music sets on the weekend. All the happenings are on our Instagram page @ground_up_brewing”