Redcliffe’s Turtle Head beer marks new dining era for home of the NRL Dolphins

The man who fought hard to keep the beloved Suttons Beach Pavilion open is back with a bang and is now launching a new local brew.

Oli Thomson. Picture: Supplied

Last week Redcliffe got its own NRL team. This week the bayside town got its own brew, which also has a naughty nautical theme.

Turtle Head beer is now on tap at a newly opened restaurant which overlooks the waterfront.

The local brew is part of a new dining scene taking shape on Redcliffe’s waterfront following Moreton Bay Regional Council’s decision this month to condemn and demolish the crumbling Suttons Beach Pavilion.

The former owner and manager of the pavilion, Oli Thomson, who battled the council to save the pavilion, has returned to the waterfront restaurant market.

This time he is armed with his own beer, brewed especially for Redcliffe and in the former Bayview Hotel once owned by Dolphins legend Artie Beetson.

He said the name was a little risque and was a play on “urgency” to give customers the idea of the need to help turtles.

Former Bayview Hotel owner Artie Beetson at the bar. The hotel has now been overhauled as Era Bar and Grill and sells its own Turtle Head brew. Picture: Supplied

“We hoped the name would attract lots of attention and would work as we already have a beer called Roots and Leaves, which also has its own fun connotations,” he said.

“That’s what having a drink is all about — having a few laughs and getting out of your shell.”

Era Restaurant bar and grill opened late last year but this week it launched its Turtle Head beer on tap.

As the sun sets on the pavilion, Era, on Redcliffe Pde, is lighting up with the buzz of locals and tourists trying the all-new Turtle Head Session Pale Ale.

Oli Thomson and Sandra Duncan at his former venue, The Pavilion, at Suttons Beach which will be ripped down because of concrete cancer.

The house beer, brewed through a partnership with Hip Hops Brewers in Brendale, has a distinct aroma of rosella, pineapple, and raspberry.

The restaurant has pledged to donate $1 from every Turtle Head beer sold to local marine and environmental groups.

Era has already made waves in the local community with its charitable initiatives, partnering with DV Safe, a Sunshine Coast charity which gives second-hand mobile phones to victims of domestic violence and natural disasters such as floods and fires.

“We wanted to give back to the local community and what better way than to partner up with charities that are making a real difference,” Mr Thomson said.

“Our Turtle Head beer is not just unique and delicious, but it is also helping to protect and preserve our precious marine life.”

The name Turtle Head may sound peculiar, but it has a deeper meaning.

“Turtle Head is often used to describe running out of time, and that’s exactly why we named our beer that,” Mr Thomson said.

“Time is running out to protect our marine life, and we want to do our part in preserving it for future generations.”

Era Bar and Grill has got its own Redcliffe beer on tap called Turtle Head.

Moreton Bay is home to six out of the world’s seven species of marine turtles, including loggerhead, green, hawksbill, leatherback, olive ridley, and flatback turtles.

Mr Thomson said the turtles were at risk due to environmental factors such as plastic pollution and climate change.

The restaurant and bar hopes to raise awareness and funding for local marine and environmental groups through their “beer back” initiative.

The launch of the beer this week attracted locals and tourists and followed a highly successful Clean-up Australia Day event, which the bar also sponsored.

Despite months of angst during the fierce battle with the council over the fate of the beach pavilion, Mr Thomson said he now had a sense of accomplishment and pride with the launch of the local Redcliffe beer.

“We have hit a niche in Redcliffe, and we are grateful to be able to give back to the local community in a meaningful way.”

■ Era Bar and Grill 75 Redcliffe Parade, Redcliffe