Smiths Craft Beer House sits upstairs on Shotover Street, with three seating areas and views toward the Remarkables. The level-one position gives the tavern a sense of separation from the busy street while keeping it central to Queenstown. Its beer-first identity is matched by a full food programme, so the venue works for lunch or dinner as well as a tasting session. Daily service and several distinct spaces accommodate solo visitors, families and groups without reducing the room to a single bar format.
Beer changes continuously across 21 rotating taps, concentrating on independent local and New Zealand brewing rather than a fixed house list. Reserve bottles extend the choice beyond the current pours, and tasting flights help diners compare several styles in smaller measures. Wine and spirits are available for anyone outside the craft-beer lane. That breadth supports an exploratory visit but also lets a table settle on a familiar lager, pale ale or darker style alongside food.
The sharing menu is deliberately hearty. Cajun fries arrive with ketchup and chipotle aioli, while proper poutine adds cheese curds and brown gravy with optional bacon, jalapeños or slow-cooked protein. Loaded fries can be topped with barbecue pulled pork or jackfruit, and Southern-style popcorn chicken comes with fries and two sauces. A house-baked soft pretzel served with beer cheese and wholegrain mustard makes the link between pub food and the tap list especially direct.
Burgers cover beef, chicken, barbecue pork or jackfruit, lamb, a vegan lentil-and-vegetable patty and locally sourced venison. The Southern Stag layers venison with brie, berry compote, sautéed onion and portobello mushroom in a red-wine reduction. Away from the buns, halloumi and beetroot salad offers a lighter route, while venison pot pie braised with stout and red wine leans fully into cold-weather comfort. Pizza and further share plates give mixed groups enough room to build a meal around several beer styles.
Address: Level 1, 53 Shotover Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
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