VIP Passes for the 4pm session now sold out. VIP passes for the 10am session are still available.

The New Zealand Beer Festival is back in 2014 with double the sessions and double the action, upping the game again for its eighth year as New Zealand’s leading and most celebrated craft beer event.

The festival has grown every year, and is expected to exceed last year’s 12,500 person sell-out crowd, the festival will feature a massive line-up of food vendors and musicians, making it one of the most highly-anticipated days out on the Kiwi summer calendar. The perfect setting for good times with great mates.

The team behind has decided to split the event into two sessions for enthusiasts. The midday session will run from 10am to 3pm, and allows serious beer lovers to mingle with the brewers, attend master brewing classes and learn about beer and food matching. The evening session delivers the same beer and food matching experience and adds the entertainment festival-goers have grown to love, with world-class comedians and musicians from 4pm to 10pm.

The Black Seeds will grace this year’s main stage with their signature summer sound.

Back to the beer… the festival continues to feature over 120 craft beers including Epic, Sprig & Fern, Waiheke Island, Liberty and Deep Creek, and a number of cider offerings from the likes of Savannah Cider. There will even be a winemaker or two around for those who want to join their beer tasting mates.

VIP tickets include a free food match on entry, private outdoor beer garden and greater access to seating and bathrooms.

The main street of Queen’s Wharf will be packed with an equally eclectic array of food trucks, offering some of the country’s top pioneers in quality cuisine. Costumes are welcomed with open arms and prizes awarded for the best-dressed men, women and groups.

PLEASE NOTE: ALCOHOL WILL NOT BE SERVED 1 HOUR PRIOR TO CLOSING TIME.

ALCOHOL IS SERVED FROM 10-2pm AND 4-8pm.