There are two beginnings to the story of Surfboat Brewing. One is the closure of an RSL. The other is a beekeeping hobby that grew out of control.
Kim Hall and Terri Revell are part of a social dancing group called Northern Beaches Jive, which ran out of Narrabeen RSL for seven or eight years. So when Narrabeen RSL closed its doors in early 2022, Kim and Terri explored if there was a way they could help. The idea of starting a brewery in the space came up; ever the beer lover, Kim latched onto it, and the couple began to do their due diligence.
Ultimately, they couldn’t save the RSL; among other things, zoning issues prevented a brewery from being built in that location. But by this time, Kim and Terri had envisioned a local brewery that would be a meeting place for people in the community, providing a home not just for their dance group but also for other groups. Unable to let this go, they searched around the Northern Beaches for an alternative spot and landed in an industrial estate up in Warriewood. They found the locals here were thirsty for such a venue, and so they set about bringing their vision to life.
It may sound cliché, but Surfboat Brewing is more than a brewery. As well as a 16-tap bar pouring the beers made onsite, there’s also a section of the venue that’s a cafe, and another section that’s a restaurant.
“It’s hard to visualise,” says Kim. “When you say ‘brewery,’ people's head goes to what they think that looks like. We’re a little bit different.
“And we have a surfboat in the front yard!”
The brewery’s theme harks back to Kim’s younger years as a volunteer surf lifesaver. Beginning with the boat out front, the sea motif flows through the venue, including a fishing net on the wall and floor-to-ceiling murals that put the bar above the waves and the brewhouse underwater.
Surfboat aims to cater to the entire community with colouring-in for children, a pool table and darts for bigger kids, and water bowls for dogs. They’ve found their efforts to be successful, as they attract all kinds of people from tradies to craft beer enthusiasts to the after-work crowd to young families.
“It’s a real mix,” says Kim of the clientele. “If you walk downstairs now [on a Friday morning] there’s a bunch of guys in hi-vis from the local construction site, a bunch people in office-style commercial attire, and a group of dads with kids and backpacks and strollers who decided the cafe of choice is a brewery on a Friday while they’re playing Mr Mum.”
Upstairs are two rooms that accommodate a range of functions: one looks over the brewery, so is good for beer tastings and learn to brew classes, while the other has a band stage with a sound system and coloured lighting for larger functions and live music. And for Northern Beaches Jive and other dance groups, there’s a concrete dance floor so the patrons below don’t hear stomps and shuffles.
“[It] can operate and the people downstairs at the bar and restaurant wouldn’t even know you’re upstairs,” says Kim. “Didn’t want them to think their beer’s being shaken not stirred!”
Which brings us to the brewing side of things, and the bees-to-beer story.
Surfboat’s beers are all made onsite by head brewer Simon Thomas - Terri’s son. Simon’s fermenting journey didn’t start with brewing beer, but with making mead at home as a way to use up surplus honey after he got overly excited about beekeeping.
“I started with one or two beehives, and we quickly ended up escalating to having about fifty beehives,” says Simon, adding that each hive can produce around 20kg of honey each year. “We then realised we had a lot of honey we didn’t know what to do with.”
When he found he was making a high-quality mead, Simon wondered what other drinks he could turn his hand to. He got into making ginger beer and seltzer for a while, but it didn’t take long for him to arrive at beer.
“I found beer a lot more fun and interesting… there’s more nuance in beer, more control, it’s more of an art.”
Apart from a few home brewing classes and commercial brew days, Simon’s a self-taught brewer. But when Brewtique set up and commissioned Surfboat’s brewhouse, he received three months of mentoring from industry veteran Neal Cameron, who took Simon under his wing for the first six brews.
“He knows everything,” Simon says about Neal. “I’ve followed his tutelage… he came in on one of our opening days and seems satisfied [with the beers I made].”
But like many brewers, Simon’s of the mindset that you never achieve perfection. After only a month of Surfboat being open to the public, he’s already seeing where wants to tweak and refine his recipes. If it wasn’t already obvious - Simon’s always got his eye on the next thing.
“I think they’re only gonna get better from here,” he says.
“Also hope to get mead here eventually. Still have all that honey lying around!”
But for all the dancing, the cafe, and the promise of mead, it's the brewery side of things that snags Surfboat a place in our Who Brews...? series.
Surfboat Brewing
Who are you?
Kim Hall (Director): A long-time local of the area, I cut my teeth in the Mona Vale hospitality scene during my youth. Wanting to give back to the community that raised me, I envisioned creating a communal space that's inviting to everyone.
Terri Revell (Director): Terri is the backbone of our business administration. With a master’s in business administration, she expertly handles all the behind-the-scenes activities, ensuring our brewery runs smoothly.
Simon Thomas (Head Brewer): After years in the corporate grind, I turned my home brewing passion into a new career path. Training under the experts at Brewtique, who supplied all our brewing equipment, I've found my calling in crafting beers that are as high-quality as they are delicious.
Where do you brew?
In the heart of Warriewood, NSW, where the community's spirit is as vibrant as our beers.
Why do you brew?
Born from a deep passion for craft beer, our brewery aims to provide a vibrant and inviting environment. It’s a place where locals gather, form connections, and enrich the community – all over a tasty brew.
Was there a beer or a moment that set you on the path to becoming a brewer?
My [Simon's] first Brew in a Bag (BIAB) all-grain brewing experience was a revelation. It set me on this less-travelled path, and I've never looked back.
What’s the inspiration behind the brewery name?
During his youth, Kim was an avid participant in the surfboat racing culture of the Northern Beaches. Naming Surfboat Brewery is our nod to this thrilling local sport that continues to thrive today.
What beer in your lineup best represents you, and why?
The Hazy Hef stands out in our lineup. While we strive to offer a core range that appeals to most, the Hazy Hef with its punchy banana notes tends to surprise and delight even the most unsuspecting drinkers.
If anyone drops in on brew day, what are they most likely to hear blasting from the speakers?
You’ll catch an eclectic mix of folk rock and pop, setting the rhythm for our brews.
If you could have any person in the world join you on a brew day, who would it be, and why?
I'd invite my grandma. She might not know much about brewing, but her stories and company would make any brew day better.
What beers are in your fridge right now?
A delightful mix from our friends at Zig Zag Brewery, 7th Day Brewery and Merino Brewery, alongside staples from Surfboat Brewery.
What would be your desert island beer?
Although our Island Breeze Seltzer might seem like an obvious choice, it’d be our Golden Sand Ale. Its light, crisp, and hoppy profile is the perfect companion for deserted island daydreams.
Which local beers have blown your mind in recent times?
Merino’s NZ COLD IPA and Wayward’s Raspberry Berliner Weisse have been recent standouts.
Is there a particular style, ingredient, or trend in beer that you’d like to explore further?
We’re eager to delve into experimental hops recently developed. While we’ve traditionally stuck with classic options, it’s time to expand our horizons and see what those innovative agronomists have cooked up.
What beers have you released to date?
We offer a diverse range from the light and refreshing to the bold and dark:
From our taproom:
- Whale’s Tail Pale Ale – hoppy, crisp, and refreshing.
- Lifeguard’s Lager (Vienna Lager) – rich, malty, smooth.
- Paddleboard Pilsner – floral, balanced, light.
- Golden Sand Blonde Ale – crisp, malty, bright.
- Sweep’s Stout – Rich, smooth, roasty.
- Island Breeze Seltzer – effervescent, crisp, refreshing.
- Hazy Hef Hefeweizen – banana, clove, summery.
- Raspberry Sour Buoy Berliner Weisse – zesty, fruity, tart.
- Mid Ship Lager – crisp, clean, delicate.
- Hard to Porter – roasty, robust, chocolatey.
- Surfboat Special American IPA – citrusy, hoppy, balanced.
- Rowing Rogue Juicy IPA – hoppy, bold, complex.
Available in cans:
- Whale’s Tail Pale Ale
- Lifeguard’s Lager (Vienna Lager)
- Paddleboard Pilsner
- Golden Sand Blonde Ale
- Sweep’s Stout
- Island Breeze Seltzer
- Hazy Hef Hefeweizen
- Raspberry Sour Buoy Berliner Weisse
Where can people find your beers?
Currently, our beers are exclusively available at our taproom in Warriewood. We're looking forward to expanding to stores across the Northern Beaches and beyond.
Where do you hope your brewery will be ten years from now?
While we aspire to reach the heights of brewing legends like 4 Pines and Balter, our heart remains with the local community. Our commitment to being a community-centric brewery will always be our driving force.
Visit Surfboat at Unit 23/14 Jubilee Avenue, Warriewood – not to be confused with the similarly-named brewing outfit down in Brookvale, or with another brewery with a mounted boat that we recently featured.
While you're there, use the Crafty Pint app to check out all the other breweries and good beer venues around the Northern Beaches (and the rest of Australia).
Mick Wüst is the author of the book Beer Drinker's Toolkit, a fun and approachable guide to beer. He's also a freelance copywriter for the beer industry. You can find him on Instagram as Schoonerversity.
The beer(s) or moment(s) that turned you on to good beer:
I'm sure I'd had good beers before this, but the first barrel-aged imperial stout I ever tried made me feel like Popeye with spinach.
You've got three beers to turn someone else on to good beer; what are they and why?
- Balter XPA
- Wayward Raspberry Berliner Weisse
- Boatrocker Ramjet
The last beer you enjoyed:
A IIPA from Woopi Brewing that tasted like fruit salad and resin.
Three things that represent you:
- Book - World War Z (seriously, give it a go - it's better than it sounds)
- Travel - Greece
- Food - all the bread and hot chips
