This high-county hut is NZ’s most unlikely taproom

Fancy a cold one after a hard day on the trail? You might not expect to find a taproom at a remote high-country hut in New Zealand, but that’s exactly what Heineken has come up with.

And no, you haven’t accidentally stumbled into a mountain pub crawl.

Welcome to the Heineken Hut, reportedly the country’s most remote taproom, perched more than 1,100 metres above sea level at Slate Hut on Blackmore Station in the South Island. It’s a long way from your local pub, and probably not somewhere you’d want to pop out for a quick schooner.

The brainchild of Heineken, the unlikely watering hole is part of a campaign to introduce Heineken 0.0 (that’s alcohol-free beer, for those wondering) on tap at more than 100 venues across New Zealand. The idea is to prove that you don’t need alcohol to enjoy a cold beer – or a spectacular mountain setting.

Slate Hut sits on a family-run high-country property owned by the O’Brien family since 1911 and is part of the Welcome Rock walking and mountain-biking trail network. Now, instead of simply admiring the mountain views after a day outdoors, visitors can also enjoy a freshly poured Heineken 0.0.

It’s certainly a novel way to reward yourself after a few hours on the track. While most remote huts offer little more than a bunk, a roof and the occasional mouse for company, this one has gone upmarket with its very own taproom. There’s no need to worry about drink-driving either, although you might still want to watch your footing on the walk back to your bunk.

So, if your idea of après-hike involves a cold beer in a spectacular setting, Slate Hut could be just the ticket. Just remember to bring your walking boots – this isn’t the sort of pub you can reach by calling a taxi.

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