This was the first serious sit-down leg of my Wellington trip where I arranged to meet my friend Brian Eerwriter. The bar is quite a stylish little joint. I was expecting wooden panelling and British pub-like decor but got a fair modern urban trendy type place. The tap selection is extensive, the bottle selection is nothing short of impressive. I didn’t have any food, but I am led to believe it is rather good as well. Comfortable surroundings and (crucially for this prematurely old man) the ambient noise is better than tolerable. Swift, friendly and knowledgable service adds to the overall impression that this place is a must-visit and also that I’m sorry I could only go there once on this trip. A definite must return.

Huge list of stuff there. SA Utopia?? Really? Great location to everything in Wellington and after Hashigo the next best place to go to

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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!

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

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. Of course, you’ll find a nice selection of NZ micros with seasonals and one-offs making an appearance, but there are taps of run of the mill boring stuff too. Loses points here for service. Staff seem to be disinterested and really lacking knowledge of beer, which doesn’t sit well for a place that classes itself as a ’premier’ beer bar. A nice place to enjoy a quiet beer but almost unbearable when it packs out.