Whanganui Beer Festival returns after six-year break

Roots Brewing's Andy Henshaw says he's feeling more positive for the year ahead, after a rough 2025.

It has been a while between drinks, but Whanganui’s craft brewers are relaunching the city’s beer festival.

Organised by Andrew Solesbury of Lads Brewing Company, the Whanganui Beer Fest will feature Lads, Roots Brewing, Brews on Drews and Ruapehu Brewing from Ohakune.

Roots Brewing owner Andy Henshaw organised the first two events, in 2019 and 2020.

He said a lot of beer festivals had been cancelled, postponed, or were on hiatus over the past 12 months.

“Nationwide, there has been a drop in festival attendance. Everyone has to put bread on the table, and pay mortgages or rent,” he said.

“Andrew has said, ‘Let’s do this’, and I think it’ll be a great shot in the arm for the Whanganui beer scene.”

Henshaw said Roots was the first brewery in Whanganui, and the arrival of others meant “a great little community of artisans” had formed.

“We all know each other, help each other, and cooperate on events where we can.”

Solesbury said he suggested relaunching the festival because it was “time to get the gang back together”.

“It was such a great event, so why not do it again? There is no time like the present,” he said.

“There will be food trucks, live music and entertainment all day.”

In 2022, Lads added a 13-tap outdoor bar to its brewery on Taylor St.

In terms of distribution, the company had been focused on Whanganui and the wider region, Solebury said.

“We want to expand, that’s the next step.”

Lads Brewing Company owners Adam Murphy (left) and Andrew Solesbury. Photo / NZME

Henshaw said 2025 had been rough for the entire hospitality sector, “everyone is in the same boat”.

“Like a lot of small businesses in New Zealand, we struggled, and there are a range of factors for that.

“It was a year of consolidating and refining what we were doing, and building for the future.

“We are feeling optimistic about growth in 2026, and people getting back out to support their local breweries, their local pubs and taverns, and their local restaurants.”

Brews on Drews and Teal Lounge owner Chris Hayton said his operation was in its infancy at the last festival.

“I took some gear up there for a demonstration and had a beer on tap, but I wasn’t professional brewing at that stage,” he said.

“If you’re just doing homebrew for yourself, it’s not a big investment at all. You don’t have to spend much money or even much time.

He said since going commercial, “there’s certainly a lot more to it”.

Brews on Drews has 15 beers on rotation, with three standards – a low-alcohol beer, a pilsner and a pale ale, “Gonville Mist”.

“At the moment, it’s just at the [Teal Lounge], and I bottle some for the Sarjeant [Gallery] cafe, and for when they have openings.”

Brews on Drews' Chris Hayton will soon take over the space below the Teal Lounge, formerly SourBros bakery. Photo / NZME

Hayton said brewers in Whanganui worked together.

“It seems to be a beer thing in general. We’re not really secretive about what we do.”

Solesbury said there were “no beer wars” in Whanganui.

“It’s just a bit of friendly rivalry, and we all get on and catch up.”

In the next few months, Brews on Drews will expand into the former SourBros space on Drews Ave.

Hayton also operates the Teal Lounge upstairs.

“It’s an opportunity to bring everything under one roof and expand a little bit,” he said.

“At the moment, my brewery is in the Gonville Town Hall.”

The Whanganui Beer Festival is on March 21 at the Whanganui Musicians Club, from 4pm to 10pm.

Henshaw said both halls at the club would be open for the event.

“You can find a zone where you’re comfortable, whether it’s standing and talking s**t about beer with your mates, or going to have a boogie.

“It’s a lot of work to put on, but I’m excited to see it back.”

Mike Tweed is a multimedia journalist at the Whanganui Chronicle. Since starting in March 2020, he has dabbled in everything from sport to music. At present his focus is local government, primarily Whanganui District Council.