It was the first night of the conference, and a group of us decided to skip Quiz Night and take a short walk to Emerson’s Brewery. Unfortunately, the brewery was booked for a private event, but we were still able to eat in the courtyard. It was lightly raining, but we were lucky enough to stay dry under the outdoor heaters, which kept us warm.

I had planned on ordering a small plate, but when someone suggested the Korean Fried Chicken Burger, I couldn’t resist—I’m a sucker for Korean Fried Chicken. The burger came with crispy fried chicken inside a brioche bun, topped with burger mayo, gochujang sauce, kimchi, and a side of thrice-cooked chips. The chips were flavorful and looked great, but they weren’t as crispy as I’d expected. The burger, on the other hand, was excellent, and I particularly enjoyed the kimchi. However, I felt it could have used a little more gochujang sauce to bring out the full flavor.

Overall, it’s a solid spot to eat in this part of Dunedin. It’s very popular, and the drink selection is what you’d expect from a brewery. Despite the rain, the atmosphere was lively and enjoyable, and everyone at our table was happy with their food. Even sitting outside in the wet weather didn’t dampen the experience.

Website: Emerson’s Brewery