An exclusive, refreshing ale and a Moreton Bay Bug roll will be on the menu for passengers travelling through Brisbane Airport’s Domestic Terminal following yesterday’s opening of Newstead Brewing Co.

Airport Retail Enterprises (ARE) and Newstead Brewing Co partnered to open the brewery’s third venue as part of Brisbane Airport’s $40 million redevelopment of the Domestic Terminal.

The 300sqm taproom is one of the iconic food and beverage spaces in the Domestic Terminal and is fully fitted with 12 taps, which will showcase the brewery’s core range as well as limited release specials.

Passengers will also be able to enjoy the Brisbane Airport exclusive beer, the newly created ‘Tailwind Ale’.

The venue was scheduled to open last year but was delayed due to COVID. With today’s official opening, Newstead Brewing Co is now ready to welcome up to 120 guests with a new and exclusive menu just for Brisbane Airport passengers.

The menu includes an elevated offering of pub-style classics such as Moreton Bay Bug rolls, chicken parmi, burgers and pizzas, as well as vegetarian, gluten-free and vegan options.

Peter Howes, one of the family owners and Chair of Newstead Brewing Co said the opportunity to welcome and farewell interstate travellers at the airport with the taste of Brisbane was too good to pass up.

“A beer pre or post flight is popular for many travellers, and we saw this as a great way to introduce more people to Newstead’s range that has proudly been brewed right here in Brisbane,” Mr Howes said.

Located on level 2, near Gate 38 (after security), guests of the brewery will be able to enjoy their meals and cold brews with the perfect backdrop overlooking the apron and runway before their flight.

Martin Ryan, Executive General Manager Commercial at Brisbane Airport Corporation said the new F&B offering will appeal to travellers wanting to enjoy a wide variety of locally crafted beers alongside delicious, fresh food.

“Airport Retail Enterprises is continually innovating and changing airport dining. Newstead Brewing Co goes that one step further by bringing the brewery’s signature industrial look into the Domestic Terminal – it’s like you’re at one of their other iconic venues in Brisbane,” Mr Ryan said.

John Chapman, Chief Executive Officer of Airport Retail Enterprises, said the partnership with a local success story in Newstead Brewing Co was the perfect way for ARE to strengthen its long-term relationship with Brisbane Airport.

“We are thrilled to be opening a new venue in partnership with Newstead Brewing Co, which is also our eighth venue here at Brisbane Airport.

“With Newstead Brewing Co’s reputation and formidable place within the Brisbane beer culture, this third location is certain to be a memorable pit stop for anyone traveling in the Domestic Terminal,” Mr Chapman said.

Already a long-time tenant of Brisbane Airport’s Domestic Terminal, Airport Retail Enterprises operates more than 50 outlets across six Australian airports, with a number of other F&B venues at BNE including Coffee Royal, Graze Grill & Bar, Merlo Caffee, Mezze Za Za, Seeds by Bruno Loubet and New Farm Confectionery at the Domestic Terminal, as well as Corretto at the International Terminal.

Airport Retail Enterprises recently claimed the top spot in the inaugural Airport Food & Beverage Study (AFABS), which ranked the top 12 the operators within the Australian and New Zealand airport F&B markets based on sales.