Galbraith's Alehouse

What’s happening with us

Stand Easy

At the bar, by the fire, or next to a friend you haven’t seen for a while.

Apart from not being able to welcome UK visitors thirsty for a Real Ale things are thankfully back to normal at the Pub. No restrictions on group sizes or waiting to be seated. Come in and make yourselves at home.

We are still encouraging you to book, especially if there are a few of you, either here on our website or by calling us on (09) 3793557.

We have our winter uniform on. The fires are lit, our beers are flowing, and the new menu is proving to be a hit. Best of all, all the tables are out of storage and fitting back in their usual spots.

Friday 12 June is our 25^th birthday. We will celebrate without fanfare, in typical understated Galbraith’s fashion as we’ve done consistently each day since 1995, but after all we’ve been through with an extra sense of gratitude that we are still opening our doors each day.

Thank you to everyone who has supported us since we reopened, and over the last 25 years.

Keith, Andrea and the Galbraith’s Team

Brewing and serving craft beer before it was cool

At the Alehouse we have been serving world-beating beers from our on-site brewery since 1995. Once again named one of Metro’s Top 10 Auckland Bars in 2020 and boasting one of the most extensive beer lists in the country, we are committed to being the best. Located in the beautiful lofty Grafton library building at the top of Mt Eden Road the feeling when you walk through the doors is welcoming and relaxed.

Our hand-made food showcases the heritage of our experienced team of chefs whilst staying true to our pub roots. Produce is sourced locally, delivered fresh every day and collected from the on-site gardens.

David O’Leary

Head brewer

Born and raised in Dublin, David joined the Alehouse family in 2011, training directly with Keith from the ground up. Always happy to have a yarn about what’s brewing, he is passionate about cask-conditioned ales and his family. In 2019 he became proud father to the newest additions to the Alehouse family, young twins Ted and Benji.

Keith Galbraith

Founder

Born in Hamilton across the river from the Waikato Brewery, Keith began his career working with wine. He quickly found that his skills and knowledge translated across to brewing. Seeing few true Real Ales being produced, he opened the Alehouse in 1995 with the desire to bring real, old-world beer styles, brewed with traditional techniques to New Zealand. Since opening the Alehouse, his beers have been recognised and acclaimed locally and at an international level, including in 2017 with two gold medals and a the trophy for world champion in the strong dark beer class at the prestigious International Brewing Awards in Burton-on-Trent, considered the Oscars of the brewing world.

Darrin Gallagher

Head chef

Palmerston North born and Auckland bred, Darrin has worked in leading restaurants both here and overseas. Darrin came to Galbraith’s after Keith explained his vision to serve top end pub food using only the best ingredients. He leads a brigade of qualified and experienced chefs with a passion for food and beer.

Beers

Our specialty cask-conditioned, hand-pulled Real Ale and European inspired lagers are complimented by a range of seasonal beers from local and international producers. Available to enjoy here, or by the flagon to take home.

Real ale

Cask is cool 10°C

Galbraith’s Alehouse opened in 1995 as New Zealand’s only producer of cask-conditioned Real Ale in well over half a century. We make our real ales the same way we have for years with the finest English malt, noble English variety whole hop flowers and unique strains of ale yeast. Our ales contain no sugars (unless otherwise stated) or preservatives and are not filtered or pasteurised to retain as much flavor as possible. We are proud to be considered the best producer of authentic Real Ale outside of the U.K.

BOB HUDSON’S BITTER (4.0%)

10.9

A pale hoppy bitter with a tangy and refreshing finish.

Brew profile

Fermentation Method Warm/Open
Carbonation Level Medium
Malt Pale Ale and Pale Crystal
Hops Styrian Goldings Flowers
Maturation Cask conditioned
IBU’s 25.0
Yeast Yorkshire Strain
Water Soft with few minerals

BELLRINGER’S BEST BITTER (4.5%)

10.9

A classic Best Bitter with full palate and lingering fruity/bitter finish.

Brew profile

Fermentation Method Warm/Open
Carbonation Level Medium
Malt Pale Ale and Medium Crystal
Hops Goldings Flowers
Maturation Cask conditioned
IBU’s 35.0
Yeast Southern England Strain
Water Medium hard

BITTER & TWISTED ESB (5.3%)

11.5

An Extra Special Bitter with full bitter/sweet flavors and aromatic hops throughout.

Brew profile

Fermentation Method Warm/Open
Carbonation Level Medium
Malt Pale Ale, Caramalt & Red Crystal
Hops Fuggles and Styrian Goldings Flowers
Maturation Cask conditioned
IBU’s 55.0
Yeast Southern England strain
Water Medium hard

SOUTHERN ISLES SUB TROPICAL PA (5.2%)

11.5

This beer started its life as an IPA but when we pulled back on the bittering hops to let the aroma hops shine through, it went through a metamorphosis which we hope you’ll like. Think pale, juicy Mild Ale.

Brew profile

Fermentation Method Warm/Open
Carbonation Level Medium
Malt Pale Ale, Pale Crystal
Hops Motueka, Nelson Sauvin, Taiheke Flowers
Maturation Cask conditioned
IBU’s 15.0
Yeast House Strain
Water Soft with few minerals

MAN OF KENT INDIA PALE ALE (6.2%)

12.5

A traditional English IPA brewed using floor malted Maris Otter and red crystal malts with whole cones Goldings hops from their place of origin and Keith's old stomping ground, Kent.

Brew profile

Fermentation Method Warm/Open
Carbonation Level Medium
Malt Pale Ale, Red Crystal
Hops Kent Goldings Flowers
Maturation Cask conditioned
IBU’s 45.0
Yeast Kentish Strain
Water Medium hard

UPTOWN BROWN ALE (5.1%)

11.5

A traditional Brown Ale served with low carbonation. It's deep-red brown colour is a perfect reflection of the season and for coming wintry weather. Deep flavours of chocolate, liquorice and subtle marmalade.

Brew profile

Fermentation Method Warm/Open
Carbonation Level Medium
Malt Pale Ale, Brown Ale, Pale Choc, Red Crystal
Hops Amarillo Flowers, Bittering only
Maturation Cask conditioned
IBU’s 23
Yeast House Strain
Water Medium hard

Lager & ale

SERVED CHILLED 4°C

The last 10 years have seen us venture into the world of European lager and New World beer styles. Our recent modern brewery addition has allowed us to improve our offerings markedly. Our attitude to these creations hasn’t changed though, our focus is still to produce beer that is flavoursome, unique and not run of the mill. Beer that has real flavor, more than just a thirst quencher. Like our Real Ale these beers are made only from finest malt and hops we can find and various strains of brewer’s yeast. They are unpasteurised and contain no preservatives.