Spring is starting to show itself around Mangawhai, and there’s plenty happening at Brewed As as we head towards the warmer months.

This month we’re celebrating the Aotearoa Barista Champs, introducing you to one of our favourite local sweet treats, sharing our Saturday Sessions on Mixcloud, and getting very excited for the return of Dumplings & Dub over Labour Weekend.

On the drinks front, we’ve also snuck a new Kiwifruit Melon Mezcal Margarita onto the specials list while we put the finishing touches on our new bar menu, due out very soon.

Summer is starting to feel a little closer, and there’s plenty more still to come.

Thanks for following along, and hopefully we’ll see you in the courtyard soon.

Kids Eat Free these school holidays

School holidays are here, so we’re making lunch and dinner a little easier.

Kids eat free at Brewed As on weekdays from 12-2pm and in the evenings, with one free kids meal for every adult main ordered.

A big weekend for Aotearoa coffee

The Aotearoa Barista Champs wrapped up last weekend, bringing together some of the best coffee people in the country for three pretty full-on days of competition.

A huge congratulations to Alan Bruce of Acme Cup Co, who took out the 2026 Aotearoa Barista Championship after 13 years competing and judging. He’ll now represent Aotearoa at the World Barista Championship in Tokyo next April. Daniel Woodhouse of Grey Roasting Co took out the Latte Art Championship and will head to Lisbon for the world competition next year.

A special mention too for Charlotte Green of Swimsuit Coffee, this year’s People’s Champion. That one will always have a soft spot with us after I (Gareth) took home the same award in 2024.

Having been part of the competition ourselves, from technical & sensory judge to simply volunteering, we know just how much work goes into getting up on that stage. Huge respect to everyone who competed, judged, volunteered and helped make it happen.

While we can’t upload the performances, here are a couple of pictures from the latte art champs.

Mezcal-melon kiwifruit margarita

A little taste of the new bar menu

While we put the finishing touches on our new drinks menu, we couldn’t resist sneaking one of the new cocktails out early.

Our Kiwifruit Melon Mezcal Margarita is bright, fresh and just a little smoky, with Del Maguey mezcal, Arette reposado tequila, melon liqueur, fresh kiwifruit and lime.

It’s on as a special now, with the full new bar menu landing very soon.

Finding cabinet food that caters for different dietary requirements and tastes genuinely delicious isn't always easy.

That's why we're such big fans of What The Food. Founded by food technologist Katherine, every recipe is thoughtfully developed to be gluten free, dairy free, vegan and refined sugar free - without ever compromising on flavour. It's proof that great food and food science can go hand in hand.

Food technology has always fascinated me. Anna's dad spent his career in Research & Development at Frucor as a food technologist and was part of the team behind the original V Energy. Years ago, while travelling through the tiny French village of Fours in Burgundy, home to just over 580 people, I wandered into the local corner store and couldn't believe my eyes when I spotted a can of V sitting on the shelf. It was one of those moments that made the world feel incredibly small.

If you're after something that happens to be gluten free, dairy free, vegan and refined sugar free - but first and foremost tastes delicious - make sure you grab one before they're gone.

Saturday Sessions - now on Mixcloud

If you've been in for brunch or lunch on a Saturday lately, you might have noticed the decks set up in the courtyard.

Our Saturday Sessions have become a bit of a weekly ritual - Gareth on the decks (& the odd guest from time to time) from around 11am, playing whatever feels right for the day. Funk, soul, Latin, global grooves, downtempo, house, dub and plenty of odd little finds in between.

We've started recording the sessions too, so if you hear something you like - or just want a bit of Brewed As playing in the background at home - we're now uploading each mix to Mixcloud.

A little slice of Saturday in the courtyard, whenever you feel like it.

Dumplings & Dub is back!

Dumplings, dub & a Sunday well spent

Labour Weekend Sunday means one thing around here - Fish & Bread back in the courtyard.

Their hand-built sound system will be taking care of the soundtrack, we’ll be taking care of the dumplings and drinks, and the courtyard can do the rest.

We’ve also got a live performance of a different style, to bring a little festival vibe to the courtyard…but you’ll have to come along to find out what we’ve got instore for you.

Sunday 25 October, 5:30pm - 10:30pm

Tickets $10 from Humanitix