Garage Project Aro Taproom

Allan & Rose Hansen

2 weeks ago

A refreshing change, four dark beers on tap at once! So, of our 4, ratings first no. 4 the Garbage Stout 11.5%, second no.3 the Black Milk Stout 8% third no.1 the The Great Deluge Sour 7.8% and last but by no means least no.2 Aro Noir 7%. A big thanks to Tallulah for your help and service during our visit.

Bernard Savage

a month ago

This was a first time visit after years of driving past. The tap room isnt huge but there are quite a few seating areas. What is particularly impressive is the range of brews on offer. I didn't go for the tasting flight because I knew I wanted the Belgian style blonde beer - and I wasn't disappointed. The staff were extremely friendly and helpful and we were made to feel very welcome. The food options are fairly limited to some bar snacks and toasties which are good as toasties go but I didnt let that affect the overall rating since this is after all primarily a tap room showcasing Garage Project beers.

Michael Coates

4 months ago

Never been? Get a flight (dealers choice). You know the rest. Known internationally for good reason. Edit: get the cheese & ham toasty. The pickles balance this so well I couldn't help but recommend getting out from behind the bar & into a kitchen. There's an understanding of balance here missing from so many chefs. Seriously, you've got what it takes if you ever get the urge ♥️ A birthday away from home, but definitely not alone. I will be back, and I will send friends in the interim

Robert S

5 months ago

I had one of those rare, genuinely memorable experiences here last Friday. I already knew I liked Garage Project beers, and I’ve always had a soft spot for Aro Valley (I used to live here), but what stood out most was the people. Barry and Brandon behind the bar were incredibly welcoming — relaxed, open, and deeply knowledgeable. Barry (from the UK) guided me through the beers in a way that felt more like a conversation than a sales pitch. I started with a couple that caught my eye, and from there he thoughtfully curated what to try next based on what I liked. Before I knew it, I’d explored most — if not all — of the taps. What really stood out was the tone of the whole experience — it felt genuinely about sharing great beer rather than pushing a sale. That kind of trust and generosity of spirit makes you want to stay, explore, and come back. I ended up ordering a flight of four based on my favourites, and also finally tried the kimchi toasted sandwich (which was one of the reasons I came in the first place) — and it absolutely delivered. The whole experience felt like a perfect expression of Aro Valley itself: welcoming, unpretentious, a bit quirky, and genuinely inclusive. I even ended up chatting with Brandon about tech and UX, and he happily showed me their POS setup — which says a lot about how open and down-to-earth the team is. Great beer is expected here. Great people are what make it special. I’ll definitely be back.

Douglas Donoho

7 months ago

It’s all about the beer. Had a flight and everything was very good. Garage project has spots in several places around town (including one just 100 meters down from this one on arlo). Small venues and pretty simple but pleasant.