Beer wars a sign of times
Pub says that’s ‘Gold’
FOR 12 long years an unforgivable slur has gone unanswered.
An assault on every Queenslander, splashed in the most sacred of places – the local pub.
“It hurts my eyes,” says manager Mark Westaway of the VB sign that mars Mudgeeraba’s much-loved Wallaby Hotel.
“It’s visible from the bloody M1. It is unAustralian. It’s one hundred per cent unQueensland.”
No longer.
After more than a century of service, one of the Gold Coast’s oldest hotels is getting a $2.3m makeover, and the priority will be restoring the original XXXX sign to its rightful place on the roof.
Mr Westaway is unsure how one of our most revered watering holes, an institution since opening its doors in 1883, was ever allowed to sport Victorian propaganda.
“Our No. 1 selling beer is XXXX Gold. Always has been, always will be,” he said.
“We’re through and through a XXXX pub.
“About 12 years ago a decision was made by previous owners to change the XXXX sign to the VB sign and from what I can gather it literally happened overnight.
“Mudgeeraba went to bed one day with XXXX on the roof and woke up the next day with VB.
“There was an uproar and it’s been a sore point ever since.”
The message, from the old salts propping up the bar to the 9000-strong Mudgeerabarbarians community group, was clear: get rid of it.
“I’ve managed hotels all across Australia and I’ve never worked in a hotel in my life before that is so supported by what you’d call a genuine community,” Mr Westaway said.
“Our renovations were to really tailor to that community and the first topic when we started talking about them was to get the XXXX sign back on the roof.”
The public bar, bistro, outdoor deck and gaming room will be transformed, while the Wallaby’s live music legacy will be enhanced with more room for live touring acts on a new stage.
Reflecting a renewed family focus will be a huge 400sq m kids’ play area,
Diners can expect a revamped menu focusing on meat from the grill, wellloved pub classics, and kids’ meals.
“We’ve got a brand new kitchen going in and it’ll be about doing bloody great pub
food,” Mr Westaway said. “We’re talking steaks, we’re talking schnittys, bangers and mash.”
The new outdoor deck, ready in time for summer, will be the best spot to knock the top of a frothie. XXXX of course.
The Wallaby Hotel will fully re-open in November, but parts of the venue will remain open throughout the staged renovation.
Mr Westaway wish.
“Putting the sign back on the roof will be the last piece of the puzzle – I just hope those Victorians are allowed back up in time to see the finished product.” has one