Speight's has a long history. In 1876 James Speight, Charles Greenslade and William Dawson set up Speight’s Brewery in Dunedin. Situated on the same site today in Rattray St, Dunedin, Speight's is the Pride of the South.
The Founders
In 1876, in the bustling southern city of Dunedin, James Speight’s brewing dream became a reality. With a couple of mates, Charles Greenslade and William Dawson, he purchased an evacuated bottling and malt plant, where all three had worked, and set up his own brewery.
The three men made a great team and they wasted no time in getting down to business – in fact, they put through their first brew on April 4th, a month before they received the lease on May 1st and two months before they had even obtained a license on June 6th!
By 1887, the combination of clever business sense and great beer had seen Speight’s grow to become the largest brewery in New Zealand. But sadly, with his dream at last a reality James Speight died in August of that year.
Gold Medal Ale
In 1879 a cask of Speight's Strong Ale won the fledgling brewery its first international award at the Sydney International Exhibition. Sales soared and the future of Speight's was secured.
Speight's Ale continued to go from strength to strength, winning major international awards including several gold medals, hence the 1893 naming of "Speight's Gold Medal Ale".
Speight's Craft Range
Speight's Brewery Dunedin has brewed award-winning ales since 1876. The four brews in the Speight's Craft Range – Distinction Ale, Pale Ale, Porter and Pilsener- were originated from recipes of a bygone era in a quest to recreate flavours as true as possible to the original styles.
Three of the Craft Range brews, Pale Ale, Porter and Pilsener, are fermented in kauri gyles- open-topped wooden fermentation vats which are lined with beeswax. Small volume and labour intensive, these open, shallow vessels help to bring out the seamless character and full aromas of the brews. Only one other brewery in the world is still known to use kauri gyles.
Open for lunch from 11:45pm-2pm and dinner 5pm-9pm.
Snack menu available at all times.
Bookings are essential
To make a booking or for any inquiries please phone us.