Burleigh Barrels is the handiwork of two beer-loving pals, Pat McCarthy and Peter Trimble. On their way to a Jimmy Buffet concert in Paris back in 2014, their itinerary took an unexpected detour across Belgium. On the way, they made it their personal mission to sip from the source at as many Trappist breweries as they could find, bunk in the odd beer-producing castle, and sample many (many) of the secretive local brews. This was the start of Pat and Peter’s obsession with beer that has been brewed with strict adherence to centuries-old traditions. Upon returning to Australia, they eagerly bided their time and watched the burgeoning craft-beer scene explode. For Pat and Peter, it was never an issue of ‘if’ but ‘when’. After a long search, the perfect spot presented itself in the former The Cove Tavern along West Burleigh Road, and the pair excitedly signed the lease – precisely three months before Covid reared its ugly head. They faced a decision – the business partners could bunker down and ride it out or they could cut their losses. Well, safe to say you wouldn’t be reading this if they chose the latter. After two long years of planning and patiently waiting, the doors to Burleigh Barrels have swung open, and boy was it worth the wait.
A striking driftwood ‘barrel’ hovers over the bar, a nod to Burleigh’s coastal-cool, laid-back vibe. A scattering of high and low tables fill the inside space, while the outdoor beer garden lures groups like moths to a flame. Here is where you will find the venue’s smoker, which is capable of smoking upwards of 350 kg of meat at a time. Speaking of, a far cry from typical ‘pub grub’, Burleigh Barrels has seriously upped the ante when it comes to its fare with hatted chef Meyjitte Boughenout at the helm. The menu meanders from pizzas in a mouth-watering array of combinations to bar snacks, salads, sides and burgers. Carnivorous folk will gravitate towards the smoked- and braised-meats section, which includes beef brisket, pulled pork and ribs slathered in the venue’s own signature sauces. Can’t decide? Opt for the sharing board, which contains a little bit of everything. As for the brews, Pat and Peter enlisted the help of head brewer Chris Smith to help bring their frothy vision to life. At present, Burleigh Barrels features six of its own beers, ranging from a clean, easy-drinking lager to a full-bodied hazy IPA that explodes with hints of citrus and stonefruit. There’s also a rotating selection of guest taps featuring the likes of Precinct Brewing Co, Seven Mile Brewing Co, Helios Brewing Company and Black Hops Brewing. The pair have big plans to delve into the distilling side of things, but for now, they’re focusing on brews and bites, both of which they’ve nailed judging from the line out the door. Burleigh Barrels also features live music from Friday through to Sunday.
Burleigh Barrels is now open! Skip over to our Stumble Guide for opening times.