The Cargo Collective
The Cargo Collective is a unique and innovative brewing company based in Queenstown, NZ.
We are now open and are working on the first batch of beverages from our new brewery and distillery!
The Brew Hall offers a modern, versatile and high tech space for events. Located 15 minutes from Central Queenstown and with a capacity of 250 the venue is perfect for weddings, corporate events, team building programmes, welcome functions and gala dinners.
Our Story
Brewing begins!
After 12 years of working in event management Malcolm discovers the joys of brewing using a basic brewery set up in his garage. ‘The whole process of brewing fascinated me. The fact that it was just as much a science as an art and there was so much to learn about it. Brewing was a hobby for me back then but the beer industry had me captivated from that point’.
Logo and packaging design
Cargo’s innovative and distinctive design is credited to MakeBardo, a creative design industry based in Queenstown. Moving far away from the stereotypical beer labels, Luis Viale & Bren Imboden created a simple and empathetic design which breaks down the gender stereotypes linked to beer and focuses instead on the essentials of the product. The Cargo design has been featured in design magazines and blogs around the world and has won various awards.
The Bedford joins the family
After many months Malcolm managed to persuade Meron to be part of turning a 1971 Bedford TK into a mobile brewing and food truck. Meron, who happens to be a chef by trade, took on the challenge on the condition the food would be innovative, fresh and healthy. And so the mobile Cargo Brewery & Kitchen hit the streets.
First commercial beer produced
The Cargo Classic Range hits the shelves (and taps) of Queenstown. Easy drinking and refreshing they are an instant hit with the local craft beer drinkers
We find our home in Gibbston
After years of looking, Cargo finally found its first home! The stunning Waitiri Creek became available and in November 2017 Cargo moved in and transformed the venue into a unique tasting room, and the best beer garden in New Zealand!
Party Time!
To launch Cargo’s new beer and to celebrate the end of the summer Cargo invited The Black Seeds to perform in April 2018 at their first live music concert. 2000 people enjoyed a beautiful day, great sounds and tasty beer
More concerts
Cargo’s reputation as an open air music venue grew as guests enjoyed gigs with Carl Cox in November 2018, Fatboy Slim in February 2019 and Ben Harper/Matt Corby in February 2020.
Cargo at Gantley’s opens!
Gantley’s is Queenstown’s oldest hospitality business and was always destined to be a Cargo pub for a while! This historic stone building was built in 1865 by Patrick Gantley to provide food, drink and lodgings in the gold rush era. Cargo at Gantley’s opened as a summer pop up in summer 2019/2020 … closed for a short time in April and May of 2020 thanks to Covid-19 then was re-opened with fresh enthusiasm later that year
Construction begins
Construction of our new Brew Hall began in April 2023. The new building has been designed as anexciting new event space as well as a production venue where we will produce a range of beer, spirits and non-alcoholic drinks
Progress as we moved into 2024
Queenstown’s newest event venue starting to take shape
We open the doors to the Brew Hall
We open the Brew Hall exactly a year after construction begins. The venue offers a modern, versatile and high tech space for events. Located 15 minutes from Central Queenstown and with a capacity of 250 the venue is perfect for weddings, corporate events, team building programmes, welcome functions and gala dinners.
Time to relax? Not yet
Cargo is now 8 years old but our story has only just begun…
Our story has only just begun.
Our Philosophy
We believe in fresh, locally sourced ingredients for both our Brewery and Kitchen. We believe that people are unique and so should be the products we offer. We push ourselves by creating new recipes which will inspire and excite.