The Cargo Collective

20/11/2024

Exciting news from The Cargo Collective!

Bookings are now open for our immersive Brewery Tours and Create your own Gin Workshops!

Running weekly from December onwards these are great activities to do with friends, family and colleagues

Get in touch if you'd like to book a private tour or workshop - perfect for Christmas parties

https://thecargocollective.co.nz/tours-workshops/

15/11/2024

🏆🥂 Announcing Our Champion! 🥂🏆

We are thrilled to announce Xander Bairstow from Little Blackwood, who took home the title at the first-ever Cargo Collective Cocktail Championships! 🎉🍸

With his outstanding cocktail, the Wharfe to Wharf, Xander wowed the judges with creativity, flavour, and finesse, showing us all what Queenstown’s bartending talent is all about.

Big thanks to all our incredible participants, judges, and partners – including Cardrona Distillery & Alchemy & Tonic – for making this event unforgettable. Not to forget all the incredible Queenstown bartenders who shook, stirred, and impressed us with their talent and creativity. This event wouldn’t have been the same without their dedication and passion.

Here’s to the first of many! 🥂💥🍹

24/10/2024

🍸 TOMORROW is the day! Get ready for the Cargo Collective Cocktail Championship at the Brew Hall! 🎉

We’re shaking things up with none other than the legendary Monty Montgomery, Comedy Queen of the South, as your MC! 👑 With a wit as sharp as your favorite gin and the charm to match, Monty’s guaranteed to keep the good times flowing with sass, laughs, and a whole lot of fun.

Haven’t grabbed your tickets yet? 🎟️ What are you waiting for?! Snag them now at https://www.trybooking.com/nz/UAH

Sip, laugh, and cheer as the best bartenders battle it out for cocktail supremacy. 🍹🔥 It’s going to be an afternoon full of bold drinks, bold moves, and even bolder humour.

Drinks up, Queenstown! 🥂🍾

19/10/2024

🚨 LAST CALL, Cocktail Creators! 🚨

🍹 Ready to show off your skills and mix your way to glory? Today’s your FINAL chance to enter the Cargo Collective Cocktail Championships! Think you’ve got the perfect pour? 👀

🍸 Email us at [email protected] before the clock runs out, and let’s see if you’ve got what it takes to stir up some magic!

17/10/2024

Attention, Gin Enthusiasts!

Our Distil Your Own Gin experiences are coming to our website SOON! 🍸🌿✨ Get ready for the ultimate gin-making fun at The Cargo Collective Brew Hall —stay tuned for the launch.

But why wait? If you're planning a Christmas party, our private distilling sessions are the perfect way to add some festive flair. 🎄🎁 🎅

Email us at [email protected] and let's make your holiday gathering extra special with some hands-on gin magic! 🎅🍋

14/10/2024

Shaken or Stirred? We're in the spotlight!🍹Check out our Cargo Collective Cocktail Championships feature in the latest Mountain Scene!

Time's running out! ⏳ Don't forget competitor submissions close this Saturday, October 19th & our line up is already staked with talent.

https://digital.scene.co.nz/html5/default.aspx

11/10/2024

Announcing our final judge for the Cargo Collective Cocktail Championships🍸🎉

Meet Sarah McDonald, your go-to cocktail enthusiast and adventure-loving Queenstown local. Originally from Dunedin, Sarah has spent countless holidays in Queenstown, and now calls it her second home—because, let’s be honest, once Queenstown gets under your skin, it’s hard to leave!

Though she may not have a competition resume (yet!), Sarah’s love of unique drinks and memorable moments makes her the perfect addition to the judging panel. Her dedication to sipping her way through QT’s vibrant cocktail scene speaks for itself. With a taste for the finer things in a glass, Sarah knows a good cocktail when she sees one.

We’re beyond excited to have her on board, and we can’t wait to see the magic she brings to this year’s Cocktail Championships!

🚨Don’t forget! 🚨Deadline to enrol into the competition is Saturday 19th. Email us your cocktail name today to hold your spot!

03/10/2024

Announcing our second judge for our Cargo Collective Cocktail Championships!🍸🎉

Meet Chris "CJ" Johnston, your go-to drink aficionado and spirited representative for Alchemy & Tonic and Premium Liquor Co NZ.

CJ kicked off his professional journey at Rain Bar, Papamoa 2010, mixing cocktails and discovering a love of hospitality and beverages. Having moved to Melbourne to find work as a bar tender, CJ ended up working for a Coffee Distribution company and fell in love with all things coffee. Learning about the importance of roast profiles, terroirs and preparation made CJ go down the rabbit hole of how to make the perfect beverage in all shapes and forms!

CJ took this love and knowledge of the coffee world and applied it to wines and spirits; which has allowed him to work with brands like Drumshanbo Irish Gin, Tomatin Scotch Whisky, ROKU, Makers Mark, Empress Gin's, just to name a few!

When he’s not curating liquid magic, you’ll find CJ sipping on a classic Negroni or anything with a splash of maple syrup - because, well, he’s half-Canadian! (hint hint to the competitors!)🥃🤫

30/09/2024

Get ready, it's October, and the countdown the Cargo Collective Cocktail Championships has officially begun! 🎉To kick off with a splash, meet our very first judge - the one & only Ben Stewardson! 🍸🥂

"Hi! My name is Ben Stewardson, but you can call me Benny or Benjamin.

Like great whisky I'm originally from Scotland, aged in London for 10 years, matured in California for 1 year & available in Queenstown for these last 8.

Drink by drink leisurely attempting to discover the stories & spirits behind all drinking styles. From cocktails to coffee, beer to wine, tea to tequila.

I can currently be found working at Arrowtown's local cafe Provisions, but you may have spotted me at Brennan Wines, propping up several hotel cocktail joints or at craft beer bars Smiths or Searchlight.

First got into shaking back in North London, where I worked everything from music venues, local bars, private members bars to functions, events, & cocktail classes. Won a few competitions here in QT including getting to represent Otago for the 1st Global Cardrona Cup Cocktail Competition."

Can you think of anyone better to kick off this epic event? We sure can’t! His expertise is going to set the bar sky-high, and we can’t wait to see him on the panel!

15/09/2024

What an awesome first brew day at Cargo and it was great to have QAST join us for their awards afternoon. Lovely way to spend a Sunday!

15/09/2024

Would anyone like some spent grain for their animals? Make them happy on this wet day! Pick up Arthurs point.

14/09/2024

🚨🍻BIG NEWS, CARGO LOVERS! 🚨🍻
Our brewers have just dropped something special - THE FIRST OFFICIAL BREW is in the making, and we couldn't be more excited to introduce.. Cargo's Pale Ale! 🎉

If you loved our Cargo Lager and Pilsner, you're going to go wild for this one. It's just as easy-drinking but with a citrusy twist thanks to the bold Cascade hops!🍊🍋 Pours beautifully with an off-white head and big, bubbly goodness, paired with an irresistible hoppy and malty aroma! 🤤

Don't miss out on the action! Come grab a pint with us today, chat with our brewers, and witness the start of something special!

See you soon! Doors open 12pm

11/09/2024

From our humble start with our 1971 Bedford TK to opening the doors of our brand new facility, this Sunday marks a truly special moment in Cargo’s journey.

Join us at the Brew Hall to share in the magic as we craft our first batch of beer in our new home - an exciting chapter built on passion, hard work and community.

Come grab a drink, watch the brew masters at work, and celebrate this exciting milestone with us! 🍺🎉

Free entry. Doors open at 12pm

07/09/2024

Planning a Christmas Party, Wedding, Birthday ... ?

The Cargo Collective's new Brew Hall offers a unique and versatile events space for groups of 40 to 240.

Throughout September we are opening on Sunday afternoons to give you the chance to have a drop in and have a look around this awesome new space.

Today we have the Julian Temple Band joining us for a chilled afternoon set after a busy few days at Snow Machine ... and you have to try the incredible burgers from The Smoke and Pickle who join us in the garden.

Free entry. Doors open at 12pm

Hope to see you then

05/09/2024

🍔🔥 Burger Bliss is coming! 🔥🍔

This Sunday, The Smoke and Pickle is rollin’ in with their drool-worthy burgers, and we've got Cargo Brews to wash it all down 🍻! Oh, and did we mention live jams by Julian Temple Band? 🎶

Burgers, beers, and beats—what more do you need? 😎

04/09/2024

Guess who's crashing our brewery after a wild weekend at Snow Machine? It’s the one and only Julian Temple Band! 🎸🍺

Get ready for a Sunday Session like no other—think killer tunes, icy cold brews, and good vibes all around. Whether you're recovering from the weekend or keeping the party going, The Cargo Collective is the place to be!

from the album Tunnels