Like bike riding? Like beer more? Well, in Nelson – which lays claim to being the craft beer capitol of New Zealand – three craft breweries have teamed up with cycle tour provider the Gentle Cycling Co to provide a meandering, flat tour of the highlights of Nelson.
The breweries – McCashin’s, Bays and Lighthouse – are within an easy seven kilometre ride of the Gentle Cycling HQ, where Rose Griffin kits punters out with bike, helmet and easy to follow map. The riding is easy and mostly off road, making it ideal for beer lovers that are not necessarily also bike lovers.
The first stop is Bays, where owner of 20 years Peter McGrath will guide you through his range of Ales, Lagers, Dark Beers, Pilsner, Bitter and natural lemonade. Second stop is McCashin’s Brewery Café, home to Stoke Beer and Rochdale Cider Company. Here riders can take a load off, enjoy lunch and sample a few of the McCashin’s impressive range.
The tour winds up at New Zealand’s smallest brewery, Lighthouse Brewing Company, where Dick Tout brews his beer in 200 litre batches – and sells what he doesn’t drink himself.
As well as bike hire and return shuttle to Nelson accommodations, the price includes all tastings and lunch at McCashin’s Brewery Café.
The NZ$75pp cost includes: bike and helmet hire, fantastic idiot-proof map, three brewery tours with tastings, light lunch at McCashin’s Brewery Cafe.
Bookings – The Gentle Cycling Company
Ph 0800 we bike or 03 929 5652