Steven Bradbury shares dream to turn Last Man Standing into brewing ‘institution’

Now without offending the beer-loving public, a cold one wouldn’t normally be my first pick – I am more of a rosé or a chilli margarita girl. Though this Aussie icon may have changed that.

So I got to drink a pint with four-time Olympian Steven Bradbury, and I think I might be a beer drinker now?

For context, the former Australian speed skater has his own brewery, Last Man Standing, which this week moved into the inner-Brisbane home of Newstead Brewing Co, which has gone into liquidation

Last Man Standing – started by Bradbury and Stephen and Damian Prosser, the sons of Wallaby great Roy Prosser – has taken over the Milton spot, right across the road from Suncorp Stadium.

Steven Bradbury (centre) with his Last Man Standing co-owners Stephen and Damian Prosser in Brisbane. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Now without offending the beer-loving public, it wouldn’t normally be my first pick on the drinks menu – I am more of a rosé or a chilli margarita drinker.

And to be honest, I haven’t really given beer a real chance in the past.

But sipping a glass of Last Man Standing’s mid-strength lager actually made me consider changing up my go-to drink altogether.  

Within minutes of greeting the Olympian and his team at their newest location, Bradbury is already pouring us a glass – telling us all about their latest venture.

You could tell he was passionate about what he does and the product he and his team make.

The venue offers two lagers, full strength and mid-strength, both equally as crisp and fresh.

As we chat next to the bar at the Milton venue, Bradbury said the process of nabbing the prime spot happened “very quickly”.

“We had been talking with the guys from Newstead Brewery for quite a while. And from the outside looking in, it feels like it has happened very quickly,” he said.

Brisbane craft brewing pioneer Newstead Brewing Co has gone into liquidation.

“It is a little bit sad that Newstead Brewery is no longer with us, and there are quite a few other independent brewers in Brisbane and around Australia that are going bankrupt as well.

“But we are very excited about taking on this project. It is now called Last Man Standing, right across the road from Suncorp Stadium and the plan is to turn it into one of Australia’s greatest brew pubs, and hopefully build a reputation all the way up to the 2032 Olympic Games.”

The brewer makes lager options only, but will be working with independent brewers to get their craft beers on tap.

“We want to make this place into an institution, have a great atmosphere, be showing sports. We have got two massive screens with big projectors, we are looking to show the UFC, boxing, all the footy, you know any sport that is on,” he said.

Steven Bradbury crosses the line first in the men's 1000m speed skating final during the Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games. Picture: Steve Munday/Getty Images

“Hopefully we can create a relaxed atmosphere, and turn this place into something that people say ‘Let’s go down to Last Man Standing and have a couple’.”

At this point I realised I had actually taken multiple swigs of my drink – maybe I do like beer? It was super refreshing and I thoroughly enjoyed the taste. I could actually even see myself ordering a pint in future, a changed woman for sure.

I know one thing — I will be returning back to Last Man Standing and 100 per cent ordering a glass of their famous lager.