8 Wired Barrelworks is the barrel-ageing facility and tap room of 8 Wired Brewing, at 56 Matakana Valley Road in Matakana, Rodney. The brewery's production site is about 10 minutes away in Warkworth. The tap room pours 20 to 21 taps of the brewery's latest beers, along with rarities from its barrel-aged collection. A tasting paddle is recommended, and there is a menu of hand-crafted cocktails, local wines, and low and non-alcoholic drinks.
The food is laid-back and is provided by Perfectly Imperfect, which is permanently located on the Barrelworks site. The tap room has a full takeaway licence, so beer can be filled from the tap or bought in bottles and cans. Groups can book by email. Visitors must be 18 or over to view the brewery's website. The brewery was founded in 2009 as a contract brewery and was named Champion Brewery at the Brewers Guild Awards in 2011. Our pick in Matakana for a tasting paddle and a bite to eat.