Since launching at the start of 2017, Ballistic Beer has garnered a well-earned reputation in Brisbane and beyond. The brewery’s beers have gone from strength to strength, and anyone who’s been to the brewery and cellar door in Salisbury can attest to the sheer delight of being surrounded by Ballistic’s freshies.
In response, the good folk at Ballistic decided to extend this sheer delight to even more people by opening up a satellite location, Ballistic Alehouse & Kitchen in West End.
When you first approach the Alehouse in Montague Road, you’re met with relaxed seating on the deck out front, where people while away the afternoons in the dappled light of the overhanging trees. Once through the doorway, you’re immersed in a sophisticated vibe, with navy walls and natural timber giving the feeling of a suave clubhouse. But this club is open to all, offering a warm welcome to anyone looking for comfort, conversation, or community.
You’re equally likely to see people caught up in deep, intelligent conversation as they nurse a whisky or gin on a leather Chesterfield sofa; or beer lovers standing around a wooden barrel, discussing the depths and complexities of flavour in the latest limited release brew; or friends catching up beneath the orange glow of exposed lightbulbs, laughing and sipping at their favourite beer without taking it too seriously.
Far from a raucous pub, this is a place where locals come to unwind and first-timers feel right at home.
As far as social lubricant goes, Ballistic provides plenty of options, starting with their core business – superb beer. (The iconic keg bomb emblazoned on the front of the bar should give this away if nothing else does.)
While a number of Ballistic’s core range beers have received awards (as has their head brewer, Lachy Crothers, crowned Best Brewer at the 2018 Beeries), you don’t need to know this to enjoy them – just dive straight into the six taps, from the balanced and accessible Dirty Word Lager to the bitey Australian Psycho IPA.
The bar always has a few limited releases available, delivered straight from the brewery to allow you to experience Ballistic’s spectrum of flavours. A guest tap and some packaged offerings from other breweries complement the local colour. And, while beer is the specialty here, this venue isn’t a one-trick pony; a well-curated back bar boasts shelves of spirits (focusing heavily on whiskies and craft gins) and wines.
Even the best drinks shine a little brighter when they’re partnered with the right foods, and the kitchen meets this challenge with gusto. The chef serves up a rotating seasonal menu, built around fresh produce sourced from local farmers. When it comes to the dishes, some are simple, some are snazzy, and all are satisfying. Think succulent burgers and substantial salads, arancini balls and Vietnamese rolls to tofu bites. If a full-sized feed isn’t what you’re after, there are cheese and charcuterie boards to graze on as you work your way through the drinks.
Whether you’re relaxing after work, catching up with old friends, or just letting your taste buds take advantage of an award-winning brewery’s expertise, come put your feet up with a beer. Make yourself at home. That’s what the Ballistic team would want, after all.
Mick Wust
