Liberty Brewing vs McLeod’s Brewery:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, McLeod’s Brewery had more branded searches than Liberty Brewing among craft beer brands in New Zealand. McLeod’s Brewery had about 620 branded searches, while Liberty Brewing had 280. McLeod’s Brewery made up 2.3% of all craft beer brand searches we track, and Liberty Brewing accounted for 1%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about craft beer brands, McLeod’s Brewery appeared in two of the five answers and Liberty Brewing in one. Liberty Brewing and McLeod’s Brewery were each mentioned first in one of the two answers that named either.
Who do people search for more?
McLeod’s Brewery, about 2 searches for every 1 for Liberty Brewing
Who does AI mention more?
McLeod’s Brewery, mentioned in 2 of 5 answers, Liberty Brewing in 1
Who does AI recommend more?
Each is named first in 1 of 2 answers.
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Top craft beer brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, McLeod’s Brewery was mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Liberty Brewing was mentioned in one out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Liberty Brewing and McLeod’s Brewery were each listed first in one of the two answers that named either.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Garage Project1st
Parrotdog2nd
Emerson's3rd
Panhead4th
Sawmill5th
Behemoth Brewing6th
Liberty Brewing7th- McLeod’s Brewery8th
Tuatara–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Garage Project5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Emerson's4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Parrotdog4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Panhead3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Behemoth Brewing3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Sawmill3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- McLeod’s Brewery2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Liberty Brewing1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Tuatara0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about craft beer brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which craft beer brand should I buy in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best craft beer brands in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best craft beer brand in New Zealand for local beer?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best craft beer nz”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“new zealand craft beer”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.
Is Liberty Brewing or McLeod’s Brewery more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Liberty Brewing and McLeod’s Brewery by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all nine craft beer brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for McLeod’s Brewery, Liberty Brewing. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Emerson's | Garage Project | Panhead | Parrotdog | Behemoth Brewing | Sawmill | Tuatara | McLeod’s Brewery | Liberty Brewing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 28.1% | 20.6% | 11.7% | 19.7% | 4.9% | 7.7% | 4.1% | 2.2% | 0.98% |
| Nov 2025 | 28.4% | 18.9% | 10.6% | 21.9% | 5.1% | 7.1% | 4.1% | 2.7% | 1.1% |
| Dec 2025 | 25% | 20.3% | 12.8% | 19.7% | 4.9% | 9.3% | 4% | 3.1% | 0.97% |
| Jan 2026 | 30% | 15.4% | 11% | 14.9% | 11% | 10.1% | 4.1% | 2.5% | 0.85% |
| Feb 2026 | 36.4% | 18.7% | 12.4% | 11.9% | 5% | 8.2% | 4.1% | 2.5% | 0.84% |
| Mar 2026 | 38.4% | 18.4% | 12% | 12.1% | 4.7% | 8.1% | 3.3% | 2.2% | 0.9% |
| Apr 2026 | 36.1% | 17.7% | 11.2% | 13.7% | 4.7% | 9.3% | 3.4% | 2.6% | 1.2% |
| May 2026 | 37.1% | 16.4% | 10.5% | 15.7% | 5.8% | 7.4% | 3.6% | 2.5% | 0.95% |
| Jun 2026 | 44% | 16.3% | 9.3% | 12.4% | 6.3% | 5.9% | 2.6% | 2.1% | 1.1% |
| Jul 2026 | 36.6% | 17.6% | 11.5% | 14.2% | 6.9% | 6.6% | 2.9% | 2.9% | 0.97% |
| Aug 2026 | 34.7% | 18.8% | 12.7% | 15.1% | 6.5% | 5.9% | 3.4% | 2% | 0.89% |
| Sep 2026 | 37.8% | 18.5% | 12.3% | 11.9% | 6.9% | 5.9% | 3.4% | 2.3% | 1% |
How has the Liberty Brewing and McLeod’s Brewery comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- McLeod’s Brewery was ahead of Liberty Brewing in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Liberty Brewing’s share of searches among craft beer brands in New Zealand moved from 0.98% to 1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 280.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, McLeod’s Brewery’s share of searches among craft beer brands in New Zealand moved from 2.2% to 2.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 640 to 620.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand craft beer brands in September 2026?
0 changes
Neither Liberty Brewing nor McLeod’s Brewery moved beyond provider rounding among craft beer brands in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
5 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Liberty Brewing’s and McLeod’s Brewery’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Liberty Brewing
3 branded search terms
- liberty brewery
- liberty brewing
- liberty brewing company
McLeod’s Brewery
2 branded search terms
- mcleod's brewery
- mcleods beer
Other head-to-heads among craft beer brands
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