Sunshine Brewery

A couple of streets back from Waikanae beach, the sun shines down on New Zealand’s oldest independent brewery. Sunshine Brewery has been crafting liquid gold under Gisborne’s blue skies since 1989. It all began with the Gizzy Gold, a radiant lager conceived by two local mates pondering the perfect brew while bobbing on their boards in the bay. These days, the national icon is joined by an extensive range of seasonal creations and core classics.

Staying true to its roots, the taproom is all about serving the local Gisborne crowd and all who visit its sunny shores. In a large white building, the happy yellow Sunshine Brewery logo waves you down and invites you in for a feed and a few cold ones. Inside, over 20 taps are hooked up to kegs of heritage brews and special releases, with tasting boards also available for those wanting to try a bit of everything (well worth it for the small wooden surfboard it comes served in). Not ones to fuss about, Sunshine Brewery sticks to a classic beer and pizza combo with a few tasty bar snacks thrown in the mix. The team has kindly taken the time to match each pizza to its perfect beer pairing – Gisborne Gold for the Hawaiian, Mahia Pale Ale for the Smokey BBQ, and so on.

Want to take a drop of sunshine home with you? In the corner you’ll find shelves of Gizzy Gold mugs (perfect for morning coffees propped up on the back of a surf van), t-shirts, beer glasses and riggers. If you’re opting for the latter, make sure you get the team to fill it up with your favourite brew before leaving or check out the fridge brimming in cans and boxes to take home. 

As well as quenching hard-earned thirsts for decades, Sunshine Brewery plays a key role in supporting events in the community, from sponsoring sports games to and stepping in to help those affected by disasters. In 2023, their ‘Cyclone Gabri-ale’ brew generated 20k for a local recovery fund. Fortunately, the taproom offers a window into the full-blown brewing operation happening next door, so make sure you show your appreciation and throw the legends a shaka on the way out.