Cargo Brewery is Queenstown's destination for small-batch craft beer, artisan cider, and handcrafted spirits, set against the dramatic mountain scenery of Arthurs Point. Founded in 2015 out of a converted vintage Bedford truck touring festivals with fresh brews and wholesome food, Cargo has grown into an acclaimed Queenstown staple known for innovative brewing and vibrant community gatherings.
Operating from The Cargo Brew Hall in Arthurs Point, the brewery crafts clean, characterful beers made with pure alpine water, fresh natural ingredients, and modern brewing techniques. From crisp lagers to juicy hazy IPAs, every creation draws inspiration from the rugged trails, peaks, and wild landscapes of Central Otago.
Alongside its flagship brews, Cargo produces Lillevik Alpine Cider and artisan spirits, offering tasting flights, guided brewery tours, and hands-on gin crafting workshops. The venue also serves as a vibrant event space and wedding destination, hosting everything from live music sessions to community gatherings and private celebrations.
Nestled beneath the rugged alpine peaks just outside central Queenstown, Cargo Brewery at Arthurs Point represents the adventurous essence of Central Otago brewing. What began in 2015 with an enterprising vision and a converted vintage Bedford truck touring festival grounds has steadily evolved into one of the region’s most distinctive independent beverage houses. Cargo was founded on the belief that great craft drinks are inseparable from their environment, shaped by the people who drink them and the mountain backdrops against which they are savoured.
From those early mobile days serving hungry festival-goers and thirsty concert crowds, Cargo earned a reputation for doing things differently. Over the years, the team has hosted landmark events featuring legendary artists like Carl Cox, Fatboy Slim, and The Black Seeds, even securing major New Zealand hospitality accolades along the way. Today, that vibrant heritage lives on within the expansive walls of The Cargo Brew Hall, where visitors gather after a day exploring Queenstown’s renowned trails and alpine heights.
At the heart of Cargo Brewery is an uncompromising commitment to clean flavour, natural ingredients, and contemporary brewing science. Utilizing pure Southern alpine water and high-quality malts, the brewery produces a diverse roster of small-batch beers ranging from crisp, thirst-quenching lagers to complex, aromatic IPAs such as the flagship Kiss The Sky Hazy IPA. Every recipe is formulated to reflect the surrounding high-country landscape, prioritizing bright profiles and unadulterated drinkability without unnecessary gimmicks.
Innovation is a constant on tap, as seen in releases like Eco Mode, a sessionable 3.5% ABV ale that marries a soft grain bill of Pilsner malt, Gladiator, wheat, and oats with the bright, sweet citrus lift of fresh Lemonade lemons. Rooted deeply in the outdoor community, Cargo actively contributes to the preservation of local recreation, donating funds from every keg of Eco Mode sold directly toward maintaining and developing the Queenstown Trails network.
Beyond traditional brewing, Cargo’s craft portfolio encompasses Lillevik Alpine Cider—celebrated for its clean, fruit-driven clarity—and a bespoke spirits program centered around artisanal gin. The Brew Hall acts as a living laboratory for flavour, where seasonal releases and experimental batches pour alongside established crowd favourites.
The Brew Hall in Arthurs Point serves as both production headquarters and a welcoming social hub for locals and travelers alike. Set in a picturesque alpine pocket, the venue offers spacious indoor seating and outdoor areas designed for lingering over tasting paddles, catching up with friends, or celebrating private milestones and weddings.
For those wanting a deeper understanding of the craft, Cargo runs interactive experiences that step well beyond a standard taproom visit. Guests can book guided brewery tours that demystify the grain-to-glass brewing process, or take part in hands-on gin crafting workshops where they learn botanical blending and distill custom spirits. With cellar-door takeaway options available even outside peak taproom hours, Cargo Brewery remains an essential alpine stop for anyone passionate about New Zealand craft beer and spirits.