The Speight's Ale House Dunedin
What makes your venue the Best Gastropub in New Zealand?
The Speight's Ale House, situated in the historic Speight's Brewery in Dunedin has been defining the meaning of Gastro Pub in New Zealand since 1999. It was founded on the concept of hearty servings of Southern fare matched with award winning ales brewed right on site at the Brewery. When we first opened there was a major gap in the market between traditional pubs and restaurants.
Traditional pubs tended to focus on sports events, TABs, poker machines, pool, darts and karaoke. None of these have been part of the Ale House offering. From day one, our key feature has been our food, and despite being a beer-themed outlet, food has always been the largest percentage of our total turnover.
The sustained growth and success of The Speight's Ale House Dunedin over a 25-year period is a testament to our evolving commitment to quality food and ales. The extremely low staff turnover and the stable ownership have helped us deliver a consistent offering, showcasing local Southern fare. We were the first restaurant to suggest a beer match with every meal. This had previously been the domain of the wine industry.
The success of the original Speight's Ale House in Dunedin has been the catalyst for the creation of 18 Speight's Ale Houses around the country. All are individually owned, but all adhere to the original menu, charter and ethos of the original outlet. We have lead the way in the introduction of Gastro pubs in New Zealand, sticking to our positioning statement - She's in a restaurant, he's in a bar.
Describe the experience your customers have at your establishment – what is your food and beverage offering and why do people come back for more?
The Speight's Ale House in Dunedin has a unique point of difference from all other outlets in that it is based in the historic Speight's Brewery. The Speight's Brewery has been based on site since 1876 and has undergone many transformations over the years.
The largest transformation was in 1999 when the Speight's Brewery tour and The Speight's Ale House were opened. The Building we are in has been used for many purposes over the years, including the brewery workshop, a barley store, an air raid shelter during the war, the home of the Dunedin Brass Band and, latterly, the Speight's Ale House.
As well as an untouched Historic Places Trust-listed exterior, we incorporated many of the original features into the fit-out. The bar was constructed from timber from the kauri gyles (the last wooden gyles used in the Southern Hemisphere). The original keg lift is still on display and was a major component of the gravity-fed Brewery. We also have on display a keg wall, which is constructed from complete oak beer barrels dating back to the 19th century.
The other stand out is the front of the beer tanks. These were constructed in Leven, Scotland and transported to the Dunedin site. They pre-date stainless steel, so they required a glass-blown lining to stop the steel from tainting the beer. All of these incredible features have created a brilliant environment to showcase the award-winning ales brewed on-site, a great selection of Central Otago wines and the finest Southern fare. Our menu has always reflected the use of local Southern fare, including meat, fish, cheeses, pasta and vegetables, all sourced locally whenever possible.
The names of our dishes reflect this locality, including Blue 'n God (Blue Cod), Cavalcade Ribeye, and Highland lamb. All meals are matched to one of our local award-winning ales, and a tasting tray of all our beers is an ever-popular option for locals and tourists alike.
Tell us how you showcase NZ produce / offerings? Does your menu change with the season and how is it locally influenced. How do you accommodate allergy and dietary requirements?
The focus at The Speight's Ale House Dunedin has always been on hearty, value-for-money serves, matched with local Speight's beer and ales brewed on-site. We pride ourselves on using the finest local produce and supporting our local suppliers. The beef is sourced through Alliance, an Otago/Southland-based farming cooperative. Our fish comes from Southfish, a fishing cooperative based in Bluff. The wild shot Fiordland Venison comes from Fare Game, and our small goods are made in Dunedin by Leckies Butchers. Our cheeses are sourced from Whitestone Cheese in Oamaru, and the scale of our operation allows us to buy all our fruit and vegetables directly from the markets in Dunedin. Our dishes have always carried local names, including, for example, Cromwell Crumble, Shearer's Shanks, and Rattray St Ribs.
The menu includes a match with the local beers. We have a range of vegetarian and vegan options. The menu is coded to advise customers of the gluten-free and dairy-free options. It also advises customers to liaise directly with our staff regarding any allergies or requirements. Many dishes can be made to fit in with the customer's requirements.
What are your key points of difference and how have you managed to deliver them?
Our goal is to deliver consistency. This means all customers visiting The Speight's Ale House Dunedin will get friendly, down-to-earth service while enjoying great ales and delicious, value-for-money hearty meals in a relaxing, welcoming atmosphere. These are all the things that define a good gastropub. We believe offering a consistently good product is what sets us apart from other outlets, making it our main point of difference and ensuring our success over 25 years.
Best Known for:
Hearty, value-for-money serves
Historic beer kegs
Please describe your commitment to sustainability.
The Speight's Ale House Dunedin has always championed tap beer brewed on site at the Speight's Brewery. This significantly reduces transport costs, along with waste from bottles and packaging. The kegs are returned and refilled completing the recycling process. The majority of our deliveries come in reusable crates which are returned to the supplier. All cardboard from other deliveries is recycled through Full Circle recycling. Where possible we have reduced our reliance on single use plastics e.g. changing from plastic to cardboard straws. As mentioned previously, food supplies are sourced locally as much as possible further reducing transport costs and carbon miles.
Please describe how you create ambience.
The ambience at The Speight's Ale House Dunedin starts with the décor used as the fit-out in the historic Shamrock building. It has a beer theme appropriate for being located in the iconic Speight's brewery. While the central bar dominates, various nooks and crannies are used to give some areas a feeling of more privacy, along with clever movable walls to create distinct areas if required. A mix of furniture is utilised, including booth areas, leaners, and stools, and Speight's dining chairs and tables are in the dining area at the back. Music does not dominate but is used to create ambience and background sounds while allowing the customers to enjoy their conversations. Staff are encouraged to be friendly and helpful but not intrusive. Plaques with information regarding Speights, Dunedin, and the building itself are dotted around the bar and restaurant, giving customers background on the history of the site. Lighting is used to further create ambience with various settings throughout the day and evening.
