Rows upon rows of fresh hops line rural roadsides in the Nelson Tasman region and it's been that way since the early 1840's. Early German settlers planted hops and created the beer brewing traditions that still hold strong today. Find out more about the oldest beer region in New Zealand. Established in 1850, Moutere Inn is the oldest pub in New Zealand. Just 30 minutes drive from Nelson, the pub serves New Zealand beer and wine. You can park up and stay the night too as there is space for self-contained campers and a hearty pub menu. Located in Onekaka in the heart of Golden Bay, The Mussel Inn is known to have produced New Zealand’s first recorded brew which British explorer Captain James Cook made from a blend of tea and leaves from native forest trees. Named ‘Captain Cooker’, this historic brew is an all malt beer made from locally grown organic hops and flavoured with freshly picked tips of the native mānuka tree. Interested to know more about the history of New Zealand beer? Take a step back in time at the Hop and Beer Museum at Founders Heritage Park in Nelson.