Ballistic launches craft brewery and taphouse in the Whitsundays
Local craft beer tailored to the North Queensland market is now on the drinks menu with the opening of Ballistic Whitsundays.
Whitsunday
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A new brewery and taphouse aims to become the social hub for Cannonvale locals, promising a family friendly atmosphere and a selection of locally made beers to suit anyone’s taste.
Ballistic Whitsundays officially opened its doors on Friday and the community was invited to enjoy its wide range of exclusive craft brews, buzzing beer garden, and a bite to eat from the gourmet food truck.
Behind the venture is Brisbane businessman David Kitchen, who runs several successful tap houses along the east coast, from Brisbane’s West End to Bundaberg.
Mr Kitchen said an opportunity opened up in the Whitsundays last year when COVID forced local craft beer enthusiast Dan Mcleod, of Denmans Beer Cafe, to abandon plans to open Whitsunday Island Brewing at the Cannonvale location.
With the venue already fitted out and signed off by the council, thanks to Mr Mcleod, Ballistic Beer Co jumped at the chance to expand into the Whitsunday region, Mr Kitchen said.
“We want to be Queensland’s leading brewery and hospitality business, and to do that we need to get into the regions – the heartland of Queensland,” he said.
“Dan had already done most of the hard work building the brewery and the bones of the tap room, and we could see a lot of potential there.”
Focusing on the local market, rather than tourism, will be key to the business’ success, Mr Kitchen said.
It is a strategy that has served him well in the past, with his original Salisbury venue firmly established as the place to be for a relaxed evening out among familiar faces.
“Our brewery in Salisbury is almost exactly like this one,” Mr Kitchen said.
“It’s at the edge of an industrial estate; it’s not on a high street – none of our venues are – and that’s deliberate.
“Our number one thing is fostering community.
“We want to give people that ‘third place’ to go out and meet friends, that’s not work and not home.
“Tourists are welcome but we’re here for the locals; we want this to be the place to catch up.”
As well as its unique location – right in between Cannonvale’s main industrial and residential areas – the new venue offers in-house brews you will struggle to find elsewhere.
Must tries are the Reef Pale Ale and Reef Lager, specially made in North Queensland for North Queenslanders, and only available as far as the Great Barrier Reef stretches.
Alongside these permanently available signature brews, an ever-changing selection of more experimental flavours on tap encourages repeat visits to the bar.
Grab yourself a tasting paddle and see if you can pick a favourite.
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