Head west to wine country for Hallertau’s interesting brews including Statesman American Pale Ale and Luxe Kölsch, inspired by beer from the German city of Cologne. A sunny weekend afternoon is also the best time to try the occasional guest beer from California or around New Zealand. Fans of über-hoppy beers should definitely order Hallertau’s sensational Stuntman Imperial Pale. At 9%, you’d be wise to give the car keys to a friend.

Proudly serving craft beer since the mid 1990’s, Galbraith’s is Auckland’s long-established mecca for discerning beer fans. Their own brews travel in style across Britain, Belgium and Bohemia, and regular guest taps include beers from New Zealand’s more innovative brewers. Keep an eye out for always-interesting offerings from Yeastie Boys, Liberty and the Garage Project.

North Shore locals crowd into the rustic interior of Browns Bay’s Deep Creek for seven beers brewed on site – try the Little Armoured One American Brown Ale – and pretty good pub food. For a special occasion, splash out on a bottle of Deep Creek’s Basilica, an award-winning vanilla and chocolate porter. Dessert in a glass.

Welcome to craft beer geek and hipster heaven. Retro 1970’s couches, distressed timber bar leaners, and a cool array of pop culture references – Tin Tin, Thunderbirds and toy robots – all combine in a spacious warehouse interior. It’s the kind of place you’d love to have as your own personal rumpus room.

Craft beer continues to make inroads in the Auckland scene, and The Lumsden should be congratulated for the bold step of cutting ties with the big breweries. It’s thoroughly unpretentious, so should do a good job of introducing craft beer to a more mainstream audience. Look forward to pretty good prices on food and drinks too.

Certainly one of the North Shore's hidden gems, Stafford Road Wine bar has been keeping Birkenhead Point residents thirsts quenched and appetites sated for a fair few years now and with a fantastic array of craft beers (and vinos) on offer, it's not surprising that the locals are reluctant to let the good news spread top far. Sorry...