Newstead Brewing Co to open third Brisbane brewpub

With operations already in Newstead and Milton, this Brisbane beer icon is set to open another venture in an unusual spot for a suburban brewery.

Enjoying a pre-flight beer is a ritual for many travellers and now Newstead Brewing Co. is set to cash in on the proclivity, opening a third venue at Brisbane’s domestic airport.

The hugely popular brewery and restaurant, with operations in Newstead and Milton, is moving into the domestic terminal near Jetstar.

The partnership with Airport Retail Enterprise was supposed to open mid-last year but was delayed with COVID.

“We don’t want a normal airport experience … it will be a total Newstead Brewing experience. It will be like walking into a Newstead venue at either Doggett st or Milton,” said Newstead Brewing Co. chair Peter Howes.

Newstead Brewing Co. chair Peter Howes at Brisbane Domestic Airport where his new brewpub will open later this year. Picture: Liam Kidston.

The approximately 100-seat operation will be fitted out in the brand’s signature industrial look with similar furniture and offer roughly the same modern pub-style menu, plus 12 beers on tap (although nothing will be brewed on-site).

Drinkers can expect the business’s core range of brews, plus up to three new or seasonal beers that will change each month. That means sipping on everything from the Polar Opposite tropical sour to the Heartacre Double IPA.

Alongside the venue’s signature pizzas, parmigiana and share plates, guests may also see the brewery’s new line of house-reared steaks, with the Howes’ family farm in the Sunshine Coast hinterland providing beef that has been fed on spent grain from the brewery to deliver a unique flavour profile. Their much-hyped meat smoked at their Milton premises may also find its way to the airport.

Meanwhile the Milton venue is set to focus on events, after opening a 1000sq m function space upstairs at the end of last year.

“I think it’s going to take time to build up but we’ve got a growing inquiry list already,” Mr Howes said.

The new airport brewery may also provide a launch space for head brewer Mark Howes to launch some of his fresh, experimental beers under the label “Working Title”.

“Mid-April he’ll release four beers initially – four collaborations with different venues across Brisbane and then one or two per month after that,” Peter Howes said.

The end of this month will also see the release of their new Droughtie mid-strength premium lager, with the sale of each beer supporting cattle farmers and the Droughtmaster Stud Breeder Society.

The airport venue is set to open in July.