April 22, 2012
Great place in the centre of Wellington. Great selection on tap. Friendly staff/good service. Atmosphere is quite good. Tried just a few beers since I had to drive. Would probably one of my favourites when I lived in Wellington.

August 8, 2011
Using an international comparison (if this were New Zealand only, I’d give it another 20 points but that is the standard in NZ, it is not a very high bar) AMBIENCE: Physically this is an attractive place (and without the ubiquitous sports bar loud and large big screens). During the off hours, quite pleasant to plunk a few down with friends or go on line. When it starts to get busy the atmosphere is typical for NZ, noisy, and not what I would call friendly. Not all the bar staff are that accomplished at their trade either: The good natured, knowledgeable publican is nearly an extinct breed in New Zealand. SERVICE: Adequate and relatively prompt but these people get paid squat and the sort of service you would expect in a tipping society that prizes good hospitality (like Dallas or New York or Paris) is just not there (NZ hospitality in restaurants is often almost as poor as Muscovian government restaurants). The staff at Hashigo Zake are far more amenable. Having said that, Malt House is head and shoulders above many places in Wellington. (Like the Back Bencher where the wait staff are just plain unprofessional and arrogant – it is laughable.) SELECTION: Beer selection is far better than most pubs. Hashigo Zake has a bigger selection but this is fine. FOOD: Never disappointed, good pub tucker. VALUE: You pay for it, small portions and overpriced beer is the norm in New Zealand. New Zealand craft beers sell for less in Chicago, St. Louis and Kansas City - no idea why. OVERALL: Head and shoulders above the norm. That said, they are a long way away from world class - but that is the way it is in New Zealand. There are some great places in New Zealand, usually small out of the way wine and vineyard restaurants, so they know what they need to do.

August 6, 2011
Bloody busy place. Selection didn’t wow me after hearing everyone talk about it at Beervana. Prefer Hashigo zake. Nice enough though

December 5, 2010
The range is awesome and the staff are knowledgeable, if not always friendly (or even polite). The neo-brutalist concrete architecture does nothing for me, a big disappointment after the comfortable Willis Street location. Still I have to take my hat off to The Malthouse for nurturing decent beer in Wellington long before it became borderline trendy.

November 15, 2009
Popular, yet relaxed bar on busy Courtenay Place. Excellent beer range on draught, including 1-2 cask ales, with many local & imported bottled beers. A little disappointing to see Monteiths, which have their own chain of pubs, but a minor quibble. Staff are helpful & know their beers and friendly punters make for a pleasant atmosphere. Pizza & fries are available if you’re hungry and the loos are clean. Definitely worth more than one visit.

September 19, 2009 [ Updated September 29, 2009 ]
My favourite beer bar in Wellington, if not NZ! Nice atmosphere, friendly and knowledgeable staff (Scott is particularly good). Great range of NZ and European beers and have seen some Aussie craft beers on tap recently too. Alsways guest beers on- think they now have 29 taps... Heaven!

June 4, 2009
wellingtons no 1 spot! great selection and around 15 beers on tap! a definite must-go!

March 24, 2009
The Malthouse was a well embraced relief from the rain and wind cutting through the streets outside. Around 15-20 taps available and 100+ bottles. A great range for NZ micros and the beers are kept and served well. This should be your first stop in Wellington.

February 5, 2009 [ Updated May 25, 2011 ]
The atmosphere is great and the beers are fantastic. The giant fridges behind the bar look like beer bookshelves, and the staff have to use a ladder to reach the top ones. Almost like a beer library. One minor note: the taps and handpumps are too cold. The food is the biggest let-down. The pizza and snacks are good, but over priced (appart from the fries).

August 1, 2008
I may be slightly bias as I work just above the Malt House, but this does make for a pleasurable Friday liquid lunch. Everyone in the office was jumping for joy when they moved from Willis Street to Courtenay Place in late 2007. We were more devastated when they stopped the bar food. The chiefs Fish and Chips (very deserving of the capital letters) was to die for. The range of beers is large even though the move has half the bar size. Like donfardz64 said, you need to get in early but people are polite enough to make room at the bar when you want a beer. My favorite place when I want a quality beer.