Hallertau Brewery & Biergarten

This review is solely for the beer. We were so hungry when we arrived at the restaurant, but weren’t in the mood for a $ 28-​$ 35 meal per person at a brewery. So we actually left, went and got some grub, and came back for some tasting flights.
They had two options for tasting flights — you could do the classic tasting flight which had the «first four» of Hallertau’s beers plus their golden ale; or the Hero tasting flight which showcased IPAs and pale ales. We decided we would do one of each and share.
The classic was honestly very underwhelming. I don’t know what it was but the beers were so light that they tasted watery. We weren’t sure if there was something off with their keg system, but man all of the beers tasted watery. The only one that stood out to us was the Deception Schwarzbier. It was chocolatey, malty and delicious.
The heroic range — again way lighter than what we are used to for IPAs and pale ales. The IIPA wasn’t that great and left a very strange flavour in your mouth. Our favourite in this area was probably the pale ale.
We were hoping we could have picked our own beers for the tasting flights as they had quite a few we wanted to try that we didn’t get to (i.e. their Berlin Weisse and their Cider).
Alas, I got to check Hallertau off my NZ to do list and the experience over all was quite nice. Unfortunately, the beers weren’t all I was expecting them to be. Oh well!

So worth a trip out West even if you don’t live near by. From what I’ve heard this place has expanded quite a bit recently, it has a brewbar in the back and a restaurant in the front. Given that they brew their own beer, the selection is extensive and it compliments the food choices. I had the pumpkin gnocchi which were so rich, creamy and delicious. The beet salad was also a winner. The venison burger and the ribs were average. I would definitely go back especially with summer approaching.

This is a great restaurant/​bar — and the best part about it is that it’s not in Auckland so it’s a great drive out to Kumeu area for lunch and some activities. In this case it was a team bonding day of 9 holes of golf (with a gold cart following behind with drinks) and then lunch at Hallertau. The drinks list is extensive — both wines and beers. I can’t comment on those because I stuck to whisky (of which there was also a great selection). The service was very good and polished and we all thoroughly enjoyed meals. Ordered a wide selection and no one was disappointed. I have to rave about the sardines. I wasn’t sure I was ordering the right thing, and I got some freshly toasted bread and a tin of sardines — the tin is purely decoration, the sardines are cooked fresh and in the most amazing sauce. Get these when you go.
I’m going to be back to have a proper meal and sample a few more of the beers and menu items on offer!

How can you not have a hopping good time at a pub that pours carefully crafted, locally brewed organic beers and ciders?! I love the fact that Hallertau offers tips on which beers and ciders work well with their best eats!
So cool to have a local watering-​hole that promotes the concept that when well paired, food enhances the flavour of a damn fine wine, beer or cider! DRINKING is not about getting pissed, it’s about savouring and appreciating how flavours work together!
Check out their Venison burger with the Deception Schwarzbier or the Hopped Beef burger with the Luxe Kolsch beer on a Wednesday night and pay just $ 22. They also do a $ 25 steak night on Thursdays!
Cheers!

Great place for a cold beer and great tasting food. The bitter chocolate brûlée is Devine, make sure you save room for dessert.
Service was helpful, menu varied and good value.

After an adventure out to the Muriwai forest, we decided to reward ourselves with a nice pint from Hallertau. I’ve been meaning to pay a visit for the last couple of years and am a bit disappointed that I delayed it for so long! Anyway, better late than never. Although we only stopped in for a pint and some delicious wedges, I can’t wait to return to try their impressive delicious looking menu. I found their brew staff incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, and truly passionate about beer. The only downside is that their outdoor seating is a bit average for bringing your dog and they are quite far outside the city so you can only enjoy a pint or two to ensure you can get home! If you love Hallertau 1, 2, 3, 4 I strongly encourage you to make the pilgrimage as they have so much more on offer and the food is hearty and delightful.

Hallertau is a good half hour drive from the central city, but worth it. They brew their own organic beers & cider on site, and the food this place pumps out is seriously good.
You can select from a range of nibbles, plates to share, salads, hot dogs & burgers or proper man-​sized mains; something for everyone. I’ve been lucky enough to visit a few times, and although the menu changes seasonally, there are several items that never get taken off. Like the beef krokets — shredded slow cook beef crumbed in little bites then deep-​fried & served with mustard mayo. Bite-​sized morsels of deliciousness.
Each «Eats» selection is matched with a brew choice, so the hard work is done for you. Or you can throw caution to the wind (having already chosen your sober driver of course!) and order the Beer Tasting Paddle — a selection of 5 100ml tastes of Hallertau’s finest for only $ 14. The cider is also damn good. If you fall in love with any particular lager or ale, grab some to take home with you on the way out.
Other hot menu picks: the smoked pork belly starter with apple fritters is scrummy; the jalapeño poppers are worth a try if you like a spicy crunch filled with oozing cheese, crumbed & deep-​fried (have a beer handy!); the spicy pork ribs, fish n chips & burgers are famous in this neck of the woods; and the «Fat Chips» with mustard mayo are a must-​order! Sprinkled with an addictive chicken salt-​n-​pepper style flavouring, I can promise you there will be none left!
Looking forward to heading back very soon to check out Burger Night Wednesday or Steak Night Thursday!

Hallertau is a lunch time favourite of mine. Working out in the boondocks of West Auckland there isn’t much to pick from. Hallertau is consistently good with some awesome brews and always leaves me craving for more of their chips.
Seriously, do they put crack on them? I don’t know what it is, but seriously, sometimes I just crave them. Like now, as I am writing this. In all seriousness though, I think they put chicken salt on their chips which makes them absolutely mouthwatering. The aioli is good too.
Recently I’ve had the venison burger and the gnocchi. Their menu changes (I think seasonally) as well as a nice range of guest beers, so every time there is bound to be something new.
Last winter we also participated in their quiz night almost every week. Not sure if they will continue to do that, but it was definitely a good time. Also, heard they may be opening up a deck area soon? (hopefully I am not spreading rumours) If so, I’m there!

Made the mission out here for a friends birthday lunch and was left wanting. Being so far away I though it would be set in the bush or next to a beach or river but instead it’s all inside separating you from the beautiful trees and springs blooms.
The beer selection is great as to be expected! I had the Kumura gnocchi with leeks and something-​or-​other and it was absolutely delicious. A few of my pals had the duck salad and weren’t too impressed as the duck was dry which can easily happen. Another friend had the burger option which looked great but he couldn’t eat very much on a bender.
Overall it was okay but could of quite easily stayed in Auckland for a lovely lunch.

Overall disappointing.
Service: good, friendly staff
Clientele: good, but a bit loud
Food: venison burger was very good
Beer platter: typical of NZ beer
Restaurant layout: poor, very ad-​hoc
Atmosphere: walls are painted black, lights are dim and the acoustics are terrible.
You could probably have a good time if you go with a lot of friends and sit at a table completely absorbed in your own world. There were only three if us at our table so we were quick to notice these things.
Strategically placed with almost no competition, except the Riverhead Tavern up the road.
The beer isn’t much so you might as well go to the Riverhead Tavern which has better food and scenery.
If Riverhead is full you should go here but it is likely to be fully booked as well.
You can book on their website.

Just had some amazing beer and the best beef burger I have had in years at this place. Awesome atmosphere and my wife had an amazing lamb pie as well. Dessert was awesome. Would highly recommend a visit!

Located a pleasant 40mins from the big smoke, Hallertau is my go-​to excursion when I’m entertaining out-​of-​towners. It has a great day-​time atmosphere — casual and relaxed — with a large covered outdoor area decorated with brightly coloured bunting — how cute!
All of their beers are brewed on site and are made from natural, organic ingredients as well as being unpasteurised and unfiltered. Craft beer at it’s best. I recommend trying the beer tasting paddle. It’s only $ 14 and you get five large tastings.
If you are going with a large group it’s also worth checking our their brewery tours. You have to book well in advance but word on the street is it’s worth it.
My favourite time to visit is on a lazy Sunday afternoon for a late lunch. They often have live music playing and an extensive snack and small plates menu. Food-​wise it’s all pretty delicious but my my must orders are the squid, the beef croquets and the pork belly.
Seriously, if you haven’t been there already I recommend you get there stat

This is an awarding winning restaurant and great place to go for lunch. You can also try a sampling from their microbrewery. Visiting from Hawaii, we were taken here by our Auckland friends who highly recommended it based on previous visits. Our server, whom I’m sorry I can’t remember his name, was very knowledgeable and helpful in choosing the various beers to try. He was also very attentive and prompt in bringing all that we ordered, in addition to being a really nice guy. We all ordered different mains: hubby order the schnitzel, which he said was excellent. Our friends had the gnocchi and ribs, which they said were also quite good. I had the lamb pie, which was absolutely scrumptious. One thing I really liked was that sparkling water was complimentary. A nice touch, when this can cost quite a bit in NZ. Another plus was that WIFI was also free.

Awesome place for a lazy weekend lunch or brunch. Food is tasty and great for sharing — the chicken pâté, calamari and beef croquettes are a must. They have tables indoors and out and some big ones for larger groups. Definitely recommend trying the Beer Sampler of the in-​house brewed beers to see which flavour you like best, then move onto your favourite in a pint. You can even buy some of their beers bottled and ready to take home!
Ample parking and it’s easy to get to from Auckland. Sort out who’s driving before you arrive as it’s very easy to let the day roll by and a few too many beers go down.

Hallertau is a GREAT place to go and sit in the sun with ciders and beer. I absolutely can’t comment on the food because I haven’t eaten there in about four years. However, what I can say is that it is worth the drive out there.
I know Hallertau is now more widely available than it used to be, but it’s so worth just getting out of Auckland and going and sitting in the middle of nowhere (apologies if you live out there, I grew up in a similar no man’s land area) and having a good Sunday session.
My friends who are craft beer lovers love it here. They have lots of beers available and I’ve heard no complaints. Cider is dry and delicious. It’s a must go kind of place.

I wanted to love it… But I did not. Mussels were terrible and we got two tiny pieces of bread for dipping in broth. When I asked for more they brought out stale bread I wouldn’t even feed to ducks. Beer was ok but honestly not that great.

Big fan of this place. A family friend has been going to Hallertau for years and eventually gave up on trying to convince everyone to go. It was pretty much as soon as he gave up, that we all decided to visit.
Hallertau is pretty far out of the Auckland CBD, but let me tell you the journey is worth it. Not only is it a really pretty drive, once you get to Hallertau, you’ll never want to leave.
They are a micro brewery putting out some of the most popular craft beers in Auckland. The place is pretty big and has great seating both inside and out. In the weekends there is often live music, and with space both under the trees and by the fire, it’s perfect any time of year.
There is a real family feel, with the owner and his kids often seen running around playing together.
The food is delicious and the menu often changes, keeping things interesting. The beers and wines are fantastic and the staff are super knowledgeable.
It is very easy to spend the whole day here, and why not? An awesome place.

I must have driven past Hallertau Brewbar & Restaurant a hundred times, and almost every time, I promised myself that I will stop there one day for lunch and a beer or two. Eventually last week I said stuff it, I’m going. Okay, so it wasn’t «Stuff it», but it was something like that.
Anyway, I invited a friend over for a few beers, and I must say, I was pleasantly surprised. Not so much by the beer, but by the food. It was really excellent. We shared a range of starters, and each one was better that the one before. We also enjoyed a beer platter, getting a chance to sample their local brew, without getting so plastered that we couldn’t drive home.
I will be back, and I’ll bring the wife, it is so much more than a bar. It is truly a fine dining destination, where it’s okay to enjoy a beer with your food.

Recently visited Hallertau for my partner’s birthday, and having had no idea what to expect, we were both amazingly surprised in the best possible way!
While it is a fair drive, about half an hour from downtown Auckland, don’t let it put you off, their selection of original brews are well worth the drive, just make sure you have a driver to get you back!
The food was also excellent. I had a venison burger, while my partner had pork belly, and we shared a kilo of ribs, which was a mistake, as they were SO good we had to eat them all, and weren’t hungry again until the following day!
All in all, a fantastic time with good freinds, good food, and great brews! Thoroughly recommended!

Heading out to Hallertau is an absolute treat… if you’re not the sober driver! The restaurant and brewbar is about 30 minutes drive from the city, so make sure you don’t draw the short straw and you’ll be able to sample some of the breweries tasty beers along with your dinner.
My choices of small plates on this occasion were the aranchini balls, packed with roasted mushroom and parmesan, along with the crispy squid and chipotle prawn tacos. I wish I could eat like this at home — everything was so fresh and rich and lovely.
Take home a growler of beer from the bar, then return whenever you feel like it for a refill!