About Searchlight Brewery
Searchlight is a small, independent craft brewery in Queenstown, owned by Ilan, a former electrical engineer, and head brewer Ash. Everything on tap is created, brewed and canned on site in a 12-hectoliter brewhouse with six tanks, and there is no parent company behind it.
The taproom pours from 19 rotating taps covering crisp lagers, hazy pales, West Coast IPAs and experimental sours, along with cask-conditioned ales served from a traditional handpull. House favorites have included a Champagne-style pilsner. You can fill a 1.2-liter rigger with any beer on tap to take home.
It is a comfortable place to settle in. Inside there is a fireplace and board games, and outside a sunny, grassy beer garden with a fire pit. The kitchen serves solid bites to go with the beer. Families are welcome, and so are dogs, both inside and in the garden, with water bowls and treats on hand. The calendar includes live music, comedy, quiz nights and open mic nights, and the space can be booked for private events by phone or email. No reservation is needed for the taproom.
Opening days are limited: Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday 1pm–8pm and Friday 1pm–10pm, closed Sunday to Tuesday. Ben Lomond Lavender is about 10 minutes away, so a booked lavender walk followed by an early evening here suits a midweek or Saturday trip.
What to do
- Choose from 19 rotating taps, from lagers to sours
- Try a handpulled cask-conditioned ale
- Sit by the fire pit in the beer garden
- Catch a quiz, comedy or open mic night
- Fill a 1.2-liter rigger to take home
Season, hours and prices
- Season
- Open year-round, Wednesday to Saturday
- Hours
- 2026: Wed, Thu, Sat 1pm–8pm; Fri 1pm–10pm; closed Sun–Tue
Good to know
- Age
- 21 or older to taste or drink alcohol
- Dogs
- Allowed
- Reservations
- Walk-in
Tips for your visit
- It is closed Sunday to Tuesday, so plan a Wednesday to Saturday visit.
- Check their website for music, comedy and quiz nights.
- Bring the dog; water bowls are provided.
- Plan a designated driver, or take a taxi from central Queenstown.
Pair it with a lavender farm
Ben Lomond Lavender · about 10 minutes away
Ben Lomond Lavender is about 10 minutes away, so pair a booked afternoon lavender walk with an early evening at the taproom.
Getting there
Questions
Are dogs allowed at Searchlight Brewery?
Yes, inside the taproom and in the beer garden.
What days is Searchlight open?
Wednesday to Saturday from 1pm; closed Sunday to Tuesday.
Do I need a reservation?
No. Private events can be arranged by phone or email.
🗺️ Part of the guide Things to Do Near the Lavender Farms of Queenstown & Arrowtown, New Zealand
Checked in October 2026 against the business’s own website and local tourism pages. Hours and seasons change, so check with them before you go. How we check listings · Is this your business? Claim it free
