Craft brewery expands to toast Games tourists
BURLEIGH Brewing already has more medals than most Olympians can ever dream of but the craft brewer is now out to win 2018 Commonwealth Games accolades as well.
With the Games brewing as the party of the century, the small Gold Coast beer maker wants to make sure it is in line for honours by building a second brewery.
Brennan and Peta Fielding are renovating an industrial warehouse on Ern Harley Drive at West Burleigh close to its existing brewery.
Mrs Fielding said they hoped the brewery would shine when tens of thousands of athletes and fans flock to the city for the Games.
“The heart and momentum has always been here but it’s almost like the city is coming to life,” she said. “The Commonwealth Games is a massive part of that.
“I want the Gold Coast to be able to turn itself on for the world when the time comes.
“Hopefully the great new place we’re building will be a piece in that puzzle when people rock up to the Gold Coast and say, ‘Show us what you’ve got’.
The new site is about 2000sq m and is expected to open by the end of the year.
“We’re building it for everyone – it’s a place we want people to come and enjoy,” Mrs Fielding said.
She hoped the new brewery would draw the tourists.
“With beer in particular, it’s not uncommon for people to check out breweries when they get to a town or city.”
Burleigh Brewing sells eight beers and has won four gold and six silver medals at the World Beer Championships as well as a number of other national and local awards.
Mrs Fielding is on the board for GOLDOC, the Games organising committee.
“I think we’re in for a good time,” she said.