In a rare moment of spontaneity, we dropped the kids off at their cousins and headed to the Gold Coast for
Burleigh Brewing's Brewhouse Bash. Held on the first Friday of every month, the Brewhouse Bash is an opportunity to sample the craft brewery's beer, enjoy a German sausage, and listen to live music.
www.burleighbrewing.com.au
As it turns out, we could have taken our children. The Brewhouse Bash is a family friendly event. We weren't sure what to expect but beer snobs sitting around talking about hops and other beer jargon did cross my mind. Instead, we found families and friends out for a great night of entertainment. Set up in the parking lot of the brewery, located in an industrial estate at Burleigh Heads, it was more like a mate's backyard barbecue; with local band,
The Lamplights, performing to a languid, laid-back crowd.
Co-founder and brewmaster Brennan Fielding and his wife Peta (the other co-founder) mingled with guests, answering any questions about their popular line of boutique beers; all available fresh from their bar taps. If you're lucky, as we were, you might get to try one of their brews not available elsewhere. My husband fell in love with their Dunkel, a dark German lager which was brewed for last year's Oktoberfest.
Sirromet's wines and sparkling wines are also available to sample.
We also found the brew crew to be very knowledgeable and extremely friendly. When my husband expressed interest in a My Wife's Bitter beer stein (which was sold out), the staff went above and beyond the call of duty and located one for him in the staff room. We later found out, talking to Brennan, that my husband's stein is actually the prototype and is one of a kind.
Entry to the bash is free, drinks are at bar prices, and $5 will buy a ticket for a delicious German sausage on a bun. Guests are asked to write down the local charity of their choice on the back of the ticket. At the end of the evening, the charity with the most tickets receives a portion of the proceeds from the draught beer sales. The evening we attended, a local childcare centre received the generous donation. So far, the brewery has donated over $30,000 to the local community.
For a good cause and a fantastic Friday night, head to the Brewhouse Bash; from 5pm to 8:30pm on the first Friday of every month (except January and Good Friday).
