The Ale House Ashburton

About The Ale House Ashburton

The Ale House Ashburton is a Speight's Ale House set in a historic 1898 bank building on the corner of Burnett Street and Cass Street in central Ashburton. Over a hundred years old, the building has kept its place in local history through its transformation — most visibly in the al fresco courtyard, shaded by a large walnut tree planted by one of the early bank managers.

The kitchen is all about good Southern food, well priced and a firm favourite with locals. The menu is famous for its lamb shanks, blue cod and lamb's fry, alongside big steaks, burgers, salads, small plates, a kids' menu and a weekday Gold Club lunch for over-65s, with vegetarian and gluten-free options throughout.

Behind the bar you'll find the award-winning Speight's range — Gold Medal Ale, Summit Lager, apple cider and more — plus Steinlager, Stella Artois and Corona on tap and a strong New Zealand wine list. There's off-street parking, free wi-fi that reaches the beer garden, spaces for private functions for up to 80 people, and a warm welcome seven days a week from 11am until late.

The Ale House Ashburton: Southern Classics & Speight's Heritage in a Historic 1898 Bank

On the corner of Burnett Street and Cass Street, right in the middle of Ashburton, stands a building that has been part of Mid Canterbury life for well over a century. Built in 1898 as a bank, it now trades in a different currency: hearty Southern food, warm hospitality and glasses of Speight's poured fresh from the tap. Its conversion to a Speight's Ale House kept it commanding a place in local history — and, as the regulars will tell you, in the hearts (and stomachs) of the locals.

The most charming corner of the property isn't indoors at all. The al fresco courtyard is shaded by a large walnut tree planted by one of the early bank managers, and on a sunny Mid Canterbury afternoon it may be the most pleasant seat in town. Wide umbrellas shelter you from the hot sun, the free wi-fi stretches outdoors, and it is entirely acceptable to move the office out here for the afternoon with a cold pint in hand. When the weather turns, the warm indoor rooms take over — a restaurant dining area built for comfort and intimacy, and a vibrant bar for casual snacks and a quick pour.

Southern classics, done properly

The kitchen is proud of good Southern food, and a few plates have become genuinely famous around Ashburton. The Shearers Shanks — tender lamb shanks slow braised and served on Ale House mash with a roast root vegetable medley — headline the menu, alongside the Blue & Gold, the house's famous Chatham Islands blue cod fried in a batter of Speight's Gold Medal Ale. The Southern Man Steak (a 300g ribeye carved and topped with basil pesto) and the Cherry Chicken (bacon-wrapped breast stuffed with dark cherries and cream cheese) complete the signature list, while the old-school Lamb's Fry & Bacon still earns its keep as a starter.

Around those signatures sits a full pub menu with something for everyone: creamy seafood chowder loaded with shrimp, calamari, mussels and smoked salmon; small plates from chorizo halloumi skewers to twice-cooked cola BBQ pork ribs; generous burgers and a steak sandwich on freshly toasted Sims Bakery bread; big salads including a plant-forward rainbow bowl; and a serious steak lineup running from a 300g ribeye to the Musterer's Big Mixed Grill. Vegetarian and gluten-free options run throughout, many dishes are gluten-free or can be adapted on request, and the team asks you to flag any allergies so the kitchen can accommodate. Children 12 and under have their own menu, complete with a lemonade ice block or ice cream sundae, while diners 65 and over can settle in for the weekday Gold Club lunch of main plus dessert. Leave room anyway: the dessert list brings a hot Speight's Crumble, salted caramel creme brulee, chocolate lava cake and a James Speight's cheesecake whose flavour changes with the kitchen's mood.

The beer matters here

As a Speight's Ale House, the tap list is a point of pride. Gold Medal Ale — the flagship that cleaned up with two gold medals at the 1880 Melbourne Exhibition — leads a lineup that includes the crisp Summit Lager, Summit Citrus, the low-alcohol Mid Ale, real-ginger alcoholic ginger beer and a dry apple cider best served over ice. Crafted batch brews such as Distinction Ale, Porter, 5 Malt Old Dark, Triple Hop Pilsner and the Dry Hop Lager — released exclusively to Speight's Ale Houses — give regulars a reason to keep working through the list. Steinlager, Stella Artois and Corona pour alongside, there's cider on tap, and the wine list is a strong all-New Zealand selection with plenty of bubbles for special occasions. Gourmet coffee is on hand for the softer afternoons.

The venue is well set up for gatherings, too. The courtyard handles casual patio-style functions for up to 80 people, with an indoor entertainment bar area as the wet-weather plan. Off-street parking takes the stress out of arriving, and the central location makes it an easy stop for pre-theatre drinks before heading on.

The Ale House opens seven days a week, Monday to Sunday from 11am until late, and reservations are strongly recommended — especially if you have set your heart on the shanks. Whether it's a beer or two with mates, a long lunch under the walnut tree or a romantic dinner for two, this is Ashburton hospitality with a distinctly Southern accent.

Signature items

• Shearers Shanks
• Blue & Gold
• Southern Man Steak
• Cherry Chicken
• Lamb's Fry & Bacon
• Speight's Gold Medal Ale

Menu

Salads

• Camembert & Vegetable Salad — Crumbed camembert, pumpkin, spinach, gourmet potatoes and walnuts in balsamic dressing; add grilled chicken.
• Ale House Chicken Caesar — Grilled chicken, crispy bacon, poached egg, garlic croutons, shaved parmesan and cos lettuce in creamy Caesar dressing.
• Moroccan Chicken — Grilled Moroccan chicken breast with pumpkin, chickpeas, bacon, coriander and tzatziki.
• Rainbow Bowl — Rocket and spinach with buckwheat, chickpea rosti and fresh veg, finished with beetroot hummus; add chicken, halloumi or a poached egg.

Desserts

• Speight's Crumble — Hot apple and mixed berries with a crunchy poppy seed crumble topping and custard — matched perfectly with Speight's Cider.
• Salted Caramel Creme Brulee — A rich, creamy and custardy delight, served with homemade honeycomb. Gluten free.
• James Speight's Cheesecake — Straight from the kitchen and changing often — ask for the flavour of the moment.
• Chocolate Lava Cake — Served with a crunchy homemade honeycomb crumble.
• Traditional Tiramisu — Elegant and rich — a classic Italian.
• Affogato — Vanilla ice cream and rich espresso with your choice of Amaretto, Frangelico or non-alcoholic vanilla.
• Mary Jane Sundae — Vanilla ice cream in a wafer basket with strawberry, chocolate, caramel or passionfruit topping.
• Berry Sorbet — A dairy-free berry sorbet, available on request.

Starters

• Cheese & Garlic Bread — Freshly baked sliced ciabatta with tasty cheese, fresh garlic and parsley.
• Speight's Loaf — Served warm with your choice of two spreads: plain butter, garlic butter, basil pesto, beetroot hummus or cream cheese. Gluten-free option available.
• Seafood Chowder — Shrimp, calamari, mussels, blue cod and smoked salmon in a thick creamy chowder with toasted Speight's bread.
• Prawn Salad — Buttermilk fried prawns tossed through rocket and cherry tomato salad, finished with lemonnaise.
• Lamb's Fry & Bacon — Tender grilled lamb's liver with sliced mushrooms and onions in rich gravy, on Ale House mash.

To Share

• Fisherman's Bounty — Battered blue cod, salt & pepper calamari, half-shell mussels, garlic cream prawns and popcorn shrimp with fries, salad and tartare.
• Nachos — Beef, chicken or vegetarian, baked on corn chips with cheese and finished with guacamole, sweet chilli and sour cream.
• Bacon & Cheese Wedges — A big, satisfying share plate of wedges (bacon & cheese or vegetarian) with sour cream and sweet chilli.

Kids Menu

• Beef Burger (Kids) — Beef burger with cheese, served with fries and onion rings.
• Bangers & Mash (Kids) — Classic comfort food served with peas and Ale House gravy. Gluten free.
• Fried Chicken (Kids) — Crispy gluten-free fried chicken breast pieces with fries and salad.
• Crumbed Hoki (Kids) — Crumbed hoki with fries and salad.
• Junior Snack Platter — Fairy bread, fresh fruit, ham, cheese and berry yoghurt.
• Kids Ice Cream Sundae — Vanilla ice cream topped with chocolate, strawberry or caramel sauce.
• Lemonade Ice Block — A frosty lemonade ice block to finish.

Small Plates

• Chorizo Halloumi Skewers — Grilled halloumi and chorizo skewers with roquette and lemonnaise.
• Salt & Pepper Calamari — Lightly coated, flash-fried calamari served with salad, aioli and sweet chilli.
• Crispy Buttermilk Chicken — Marinated in the secret Ale House seasoning and served with chipotle mayo.
• Speight's Cola BBQ Pork Spare Ribs — Twice-cooked, melt-in-the-mouth ribs baked in the house cola BBQ sauce, with coleslaw.
• Corn Chips with Guacamole — Warm corn chips with guacamole and a side of sour cream; add shredded beef.
• Tacos — Crispy fried chicken with chipotle mayo, or roast pumpkin and cauliflower with lemonnaise, served with guacamole and pico de gallo.
• Pork Belly Bites — Served with a Korean BBQ dipping sauce.
• Lamb Rump Skewers — Tender, flavourful lamb with coleslaw, pita bread and tzatziki.
• Venison — Seared venison with beetroot and horseradish puree, golden beets, feta and crispy fried garlic.

The Sidekicks

• Free Range Eggs — Two free-range eggs to add to any plate.
• Speight's Bread — A warm side of the house bread.
• Crumbed Onion Rings — Golden crumbed onion rings.
• Wedges — A side of seasoned potato wedges.
• Field Mushrooms — A side of sauteed field mushrooms.
• Bacon — Two pieces of bacon.
• Steamed Veges — A side of steamed seasonal vegetables.
• Fries — A side of hot fries.
• Hash Browns — Three golden hash browns.
• Salad — A simple side salad.
• Calamari — Five pieces of salt and pepper calamari.
• Creamed Spinach — A keto-friendly creamed spinach side.

Ale House Mains

• Bangers & Mash — The local Netherby butcher's pork and herb sausages on potato mash with peas, onion jam and gravy.
• Chicken Parcel — The celebrated filo parcel of chicken, bacon, peaches and cream cheese, baked golden, with fries, salad and peach & mango chutney.
• Crispy Crumbed Chicken Schnitzel — Crumbed chicken breast with coleslaw on fries and your choice of sauce; parmigiana or hickory upgrades available.
• Speight's BBQ Pork Spare Ribs — Twice-cooked ribs smothered and baked in the house cola BBQ sauce, with fries and salad.
• The Highlander Pork Belly — Slow-roasted pork belly infused with Speight's Cider, with Ale House mash, seasoned vegetables, gravy and apple chutney.
• Marlborough Mussels — Green-lip mussels steamed in NZ chardonnay, garlic and cream, topped with homemade salsa, with crusty bread and lemon.
• Akaroa Salmon — Crispy-skin grilled salmon fillet with kumara rosti, wilted spinach, lemon butter sauce and cherry tomatoes.
• Musterer's Big Mixed Grill — 200g porterhouse, pork sausage, bacon, fried eggs, field mushrooms and onion rings, with fries and your choice of sauce.
• Ale House 300g Ribeye Steak — Grilled to your liking with roast gourmet potatoes and steamed veg or fries and salad, finished with your choice of sauce.
• Pasta of the Day — Ask the friendly staff for today's flavour; served with garlic bread.
• Grilled Lamb Rump — Canterbury lamb rump with potato gratin, creamed spinach, honey-glazed carrots and red wine jus.
• Slow Cooked Beef Brisket — Classic and hearty, served with roasted and steamed vegetables, Dijon mustard, a Yorkshire pudding and gravy.

On Tap & Cellar

• Speight's Gold Medal Ale — The flagship ale that won two gold medals at the 1880 Melbourne Exhibition and got its name.
• Speight's Summit Lager — A refreshing golden lager brewed with natural ingredients for a clear, crisp finish.
• Speight's Apple Cider — A crisp, clean, dry cider — best served over ice.
• Speight's Summit Citrus — A mouthful to say but a pleasure to drink.
• Speight's Mid Ale — A full-flavoured 2.5% beer for drinking in halves.
• Speight's Ginger Beer — Alcoholic ginger beer brewed with real ginger for an easy-drinking spice kick.
• Speight's Distinction Ale — A premium traditional ale brewed for Speight's 120th anniversary.
• Speight's Dry Hop Lager — A limited release available exclusively at Speight's Ale Houses.
• Speight's Triple Hop Pilsner — Balanced aromatic hops, full flavour and a clean finish — the thirst quencher to share with mates.
• Speight's 5 Malt Old Dark — A brew with a big, creamy flavour.
• Speight's Porter — Based on the original 1929 stout recipe — some things don't change.
• Speight's Empire Ale — An old favourite brought back by Speight's brewers.
• Steinlager, Stella Artois & Corona — International lagers pouring on tap alongside the Speight's range, plus a few other surprises.
• New Zealand Wine List — An impressive selection of NZ wines, with plenty of bubbles for special occasions.
• Gourmet Coffee — Coffee served in the bar and out in the courtyard.

Signature Dishes

• Blue & Gold — The famous Chatham Islands blue cod in Speight's Gold Medal Ale batter, with salad, fries, tartare and tomato sauce.
• Southern Man Steak — 300g ribeye carved and topped with basil pesto, with Ale House mash, roast mushrooms, roast tomatoes and caramelised onion gravy.
• Cherry Chicken — Bacon-wrapped chicken breast stuffed with dark cherries and cream cheese, oven baked, on kumara rosti, asparagus and cherry tomatoes.
• Shearers Shanks — Tender lamb shank slow braised and served on Ale House mash with a roast root vegetable medley; one or two shanks.

Burgers & Sandwiches

• Malt House Beef Burger — Homemade beef patty with bacon, cheese, lettuce, tomato, BBQ sauce and aioli, topped with onion rings.
• Fried Chicken Burger — Crispy fried chicken with bacon, coleslaw and Korean BBQ sauce.
• Steak Sandwich — Grilled porterhouse steak on toasted ciabatta with fresh spinach, caramelised onion and aioli.
• Vegetarian Burger — Grilled portobello mushroom, halloumi and lettuce dressed in basil pesto, lemonnaise and caramelised onion.

Gold Club Lunch (65+)

• Gold Club Lunch — For 65 years and over, Monday to Friday only: a tender main with roast vegetables, broccoli, carrots, Speight's gravy and Yorkshire pudding, plus dessert.

Frequently asked questions

What are the opening hours?

The Ale House is open seven days a week, Monday to Sunday, from 11am until late.

Do I need a reservation?

Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for the restaurant dining room — call ahead to book a table.

Are there gluten-free and vegetarian options?

Yes — the menus include vegetarian and gluten-free choices, and many dishes are gluten-free or can be made gluten-free on request. Let the wait staff know about any allergies.

Is there parking?

Yes, there is off-street parking at the central Ashburton location on the corner of Burnett Street and Cass Street.

Can the venue host private functions?

Yes — the courtyard suits casual patio-style functions for up to 80 people, and there is also an indoor entertainment bar area.

Is there a kids menu?

Yes, for children 12 and under. Kids' meals include a lemonade ice block or ice cream sundae, and fries and salad can be swapped for steamed vegetables.

What is the Gold Club lunch?

A weekday lunch menu (Monday to Friday) for guests 65 years and over, including a main and a dessert.

Tips

• {"body":"Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for the restaurant dining room — call ahead, particularly if the Shearers Shanks are calling your name.","title":"Book ahead for dinner"}
• {"body":"On a sunny afternoon the beer garden under the historic walnut tree is the spot — wide umbrellas, free wi-fi and a cold pint make a very civilised mobile office.","title":"Claim a courtyard table"}
• {"body":"Monday to Friday, diners 65 and over can order the Gold Club lunch: a main with Speight's gravy and Yorkshire pudding plus dessert.","title":"Gold Club lunch for over-65s"}
• {"body":"The James Speight's cheesecake changes often, so check the flavour of the moment with your server before you order dessert.","title":"Ask about the cheesecake"}
• {"body":"The small plates menu — from pork belly bites to venison — is built for grazing with a group alongside a few Speight's pours.","title":"Small plates for sharing"}

Good to know

• {"wifi":"Free wi-fi, extending out to the beer garden","family":"Kids menu for 12 & under, with a lemonade ice block or ice cream sundae included","dietary":"Vegetarian and gluten-free options throughout; many dishes GF or GF on request — flag allergies with staff","parking":"Off-street parking on site"}