Specialty side-pour beer taps were imported from Europe for the perfect pour at Lager House. Photo: Lucy Ridge.
Lager House has officially opened the doors to Capital Brewing’s latest venture. The new pub is the entree (if you will) of venues at East Traders Hall, a new hospitality precinct in Campbell, with more neighbouring venues to come in the next few months.
Capital Brewing Co co-founder Laurence Kain told attendees at the opening that 85 per cent of beer sold in Australia is sold by two Japanese-owned companies that employ very few people locally. But local breweries create local jobs, keep profits circulating in the local community and (most importantly) brew bloody delicious beers.
“I just want to say one thing: f*** the multinationals and thanks for coming out for local business tonight,” he said.
We’ll drink to that!
Lagers are stored and chilled on site in large tanks. Photo: H Creations.
Big shiny tanks are filled with the appropriately named House Lager, which is sold in cans or poured via Czech-made side-taps which the staff tell me changes the profile of the ‘head’ (the frothy white bubbles on top of your pint). You can even get the lager in a stein for an authentic touch. Non beer drinks are aptly catered for with house-cocktails, local wines and non-alcs.
In a big departure from the Fyshwick brewhouse, Lager House has a full kitchen run by Chef Paul Starley, specialising in wood-fired and chargrilled dishes that go beyond classic pub-grub. Small bites include grilled haloumi with pistachio, grapes and honey, and stracciatella cheese on charred focaccia. There’s also a delicious mini prawn brioche roll with lumpfish caviar, dill and tabasco.
Larger bites to share are where things get really interesting. The beer-braised crispy pork knuckle is a proper centrepiece dish, served on creamy mashed potatoes with sauerkraut and mustard. It’s a fitting nod to the European origins of lager and beer halls, and makes an excellent dish to share with friends. The pork was tender, the skin was crispy and it was the perfect accompaniment to the lager.
Save time by pre-ordering the larger cuts of meat to share between friends. Photo: Capital Brewing Co.
Vegetables are also given the wood-fired treatment with a charred cabbage dish and miso-glazed pumpkin with cashew cream and pepitas. The pumpkin had a creamy-as-anything interior and the glaze was perfectly caramelised.
Also on the menu are steaks, burgers, schnitzel, and chips because it is still a pub, after all.
The considered design of Lager House includes acoustic treatment which keeps the noise levels to a happy hum: despite the busy room and live music, we were still able to hear ourselves think and, crucially, have a proper conversation. Acoustic panels in the roof, curtains and carpet are unobtrusive but effective and should be employed by more venues.
Lager House has weekly specials and events lined up including a schnitty night on Mondays, $19 burgers on Tuesdays, trivia on Wednesdays and a cheese raffle on Thursdays (yes please!).
Brioche prawn rolls are a bourgie little snack at Lager House. Photo: Region.
The location between the Fyshwick Brewhouse and Bentspoke also had our table immediately planning a boozy bike ride between the three (with a possible add-on tram ride out to Cypher). The East Traders Hall is also located very close to the lake, so will surely be the end-point for many a run, cycle, or stroll.
Lager House is located at East Traders Hall, 62 Constitution Ave, Parkes. It is open from 11:30 am seven days a week, closing at 9 pm Sunday to Wednesday, 9:30 pm on Thursday, and 10 pm on Friday and Saturday. Follow Lager House on Facebook or Instagram. Follow East Traders Hall on Facebook or Instagram.
Original Article published by Lucy Ridge on Region Canberra.
