Beech Tree Craft Beer is an independent central Queenstown bar where a changing line-up of New Zealand beer meets a food menu substantial enough for a full meal. Its 26 rotating taps move among lagers, pale ales, IPAs, hazies, stouts, sours and seasonal releases, so the selection rewards a conversation with the bar team. The Beach Street setting also doubles as a lively place for selected live sport, quiz nights and occasional tap events.
The main plates have the robust, straightforward character that suits a pint. A double-beef burger layers cheese, salad and classic condiments in brioche, while alternatives centre on slow-cooked pulled pork, spiced chicken or fried halloumi with chargrilled capsicum and avocado. Diners after a plate rather than a bun can choose ribeye steak with twice-cooked chips and dressed leaves, or pork ribs with slaw, onion rings and the kitchen's barbecue sauce.
Groups have several ways to turn the meal into a shared spread. The rib-and-wing platter brings barbecue pork ribs together with two wing flavours, while the larger meat platter adds sliced ribeye, pulled-pork loaded fries, macaroni cheese and sides. Sauced or dry-rub wings can also be ordered alone, alongside Korean fried chicken, beer-battered halloumi, falafel bites and fries. That range gives mixed tables meaningful meat-free choices rather than limiting them to chips.
Beech Tree works particularly well when the occasion is loose rather than formal: an afternoon tasting unfamiliar taps, an evening with friends, or a match watched over food instead of a hurried drink. Major sporting fixtures can make bookings worthwhile, although walk-ins remain part of the venue's easygoing character. Dogs are welcome too. With the beer list continually changing, regulars can return for a different pour while keeping the burgers, ribs, wings and sharing plates as familiar anchors.
Address: 13 Beach Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
Been to Beech Tree Craft Beer? Be one of the first to rate it.
+ Log your visit
