Brewtown is Wellington's only craft beer village, set in Upper Hutt within walking distance of the Upper Hutt train station and about 40 minutes from Wellington city. The site started life as the Dunlop Tyres factory and has since become a hub bringing together craft breweries, bars and eateries, entertainment venues and a boutique distillery in one precinct.
On the food and drink side, Brewtown is home to Tuatara Taproom, Wild Kiwi & Good George (a whisky distillery), Victory Lane Takeaways (fast, affordable food for the whole family), Boneface, Panhead, Te Aro Brewing Co, and Fermented Bar & Eatery, which serves a fusion of Asian, Kiwi and South African flavours.
Beyond the breweries, Brewtown houses an entertainment lineup including Daytona Adventure Park, ScapeGoats Escape Rooms, Sweet Axe Throwing, Chipmunks (a kids' play centre), The Witching Hour's Ghostly Mini Putt Course, and Stackhouse Knives, a working blacksmithing operation. There's also a Brewtown shop selling tees, hats and vouchers, plus a regular Farmers Market and a calendar of events ranging from craft markets and motor shows to live music nights.
Visitors describe Brewtown as offering something for everyone, combining craft beer and culinary variety with family-friendly entertainment in a single, walkable precinct.
On the site of the old Dunlop Tyres factory in Upper Hutt, Brewtown has grown into what it calls Wellington's only craft beer village — a single precinct that brings together breweries, bars, a distillery, entertainment venues and regular events, all within walking distance of the Upper Hutt train station and about 40 minutes from Wellington city.
The heart of Brewtown is its food and drink lineup. Tuatara Taproom anchors the craft beer side, alongside breweries Boneface, Panhead and Te Aro Brewing Co, each with their own taproom and booking options. Wild Kiwi & Good George adds a whisky distillery to the mix, while Fermented Bar & Eatery brings a fusion of Asian, Kiwi and South African flavours to the food offering. For something quicker, Victory Lane Takeaways serves fast, affordable food aimed at the whole family.
Beyond the drinks and food, Brewtown houses a genuine entertainment complex. Daytona Adventure Park delivers high-octane activity, ScapeGoats Escape Rooms and Sweet Axe Throwing offer group experiences for friends and family, and Chipmunks gives kids a dedicated play centre to run, jump, slide and climb. The Witching Hour's Ghostly Mini Putt Course adds a themed mini golf option, while Stackhouse Knives showcases the revival of blacksmithing with hands-on knife-making.
Brewtown regularly hosts markets and events on top of its permanent venues — a Farmers Market, a Winter Craft Market, motor shows including the Daffodils Motor Show and Home Built Car Show, and larger events like the Wellington Summit to Sea 4x4 Camp & Outdoor Show. It's also a venue for private functions, with Christmas party bookings promoted on the site, and for live music, including its AMPED UP rock and metal night headlined by Devilskin alongside Villainy, Tadpole, Head Like A Hole, Written By Wolves and The Boondocks.
Visitor feedback reflects the range on offer. One guest called an event at Brewtown "the best organised event I've ever been to," while another praised the combination of "craft beer, culinary delights, and family-friendly entertainment." A third summed it up simply: "There's something for everyone."
For a day trip from Wellington or a local night out in Upper Hutt, Brewtown's mix of breweries, food, entertainment and events makes it a destination that can suit a quick beer stop or a full day out, whether that's exploring several taprooms, taking the kids to Chipmunks or the Mini Putt course, or timing a visit around one of the regular markets or events.