After operating a successful pop-up beer garden at Melbourne Airport for the past two summers, Stomping Ground Brewing Co has announced plans to open Australia’s first airport brewery.
From February, travellers will be able to enjoy a wide range of Stomping Ground beers inside Virgin Australia’s domestic departure hall. Beers will include old favourites to some limited editions brewed on onsite in a six hectolitre brewery, along with a full beer hall food menu and tinnies to take away.
Design team Studio Y will ensure the venue, set against the backdrop of the brewery tanks and the airfield, will be the perfect place for passengers to relax before they board.
The project will make Melbourne the fourth city in the world, alongside Munich, Tampa and Johannesburg airports, to have its own airport brewery.
Stomping Ground expects to brew between 30-40 beers at the airport every year. About 20 beers, including those brewed in Collingwood, will be available to buy.
Steve Jeffares, a Stomping Ground co-founder, told the Australian Financial Review the brewery expects to collaborate with other Melbourne brands moving into the airport, such as Proud Mary Coffee.
“We could make a coffee beer,” Jeffares said. “There’s Cobb Lane Bakery, we could make a beer using some of their out-of-date bread if they have any. ”
Younger brewers will be sent to the airport to experiment and test new beers on frequent flyers.
“A little R&D brewery is an opportunity for them to flex their creative brewing skills,” Jeffares said.
Jeffares added that Stomping Ground may expand into other terminals if the brewery goes well.
The airport also plans to bring in Biggie Smalls, a kebab shop started by TV presenter Shane Delia that also offers cocktails, next year.
