Melbourne Airport and Collingwood’s Stomping Ground Brewing Company have joined forces to reopen the brewery’s pop-up beer garden at the airport, dubbed Terminal 3 1/2 (T3 ½).
The family-friendly venue offers travelers a wide range of locally brewed craft beers on tap, some of Melbourne’s most iconic food trucks on rotation, and Proud Mary coffee.
Throughout summer, customers will be able to watch Australia’s major sporting events pre- or post-flight on a large screen while relaxing in deckchairs placed around the garden.
Andrew Gardiner, chief of retail at Melbourne Airport, commented, “You don’t get much more ‘Melbourne’ than craft beer plus food trucks. Then throw into the mix bright art and major sporting events and you get all of the best elements of our city in the one place, which makes T3 ½ so appealing.
“Another perk of the venue is its proximity to our domestic terminals with its convenient location in between Terminals 3 and 4. Plus, there will be flight information display screens inside the bar, so passengers won’t need to rush to the gate.
“With the festive season upon us, Melbourne Airport is expected to experience its busiest travel period for the year, so it is only fitting to bring the city to life for the millions of people that will fly through over summer.”
Stomping Ground co-founder Steve Jeffares said, “Last year, so many people enjoyed an unprecedented range of beer styles at the airport, so this year we are stepping up the experience again with more beer, takeaway tinnies and a whole new look.”
Local illustrator and muralist Justine McAllister has collaborated with Stomping Ground to develop the new look of T3 1/2.
Commenting on the collaboration, McAllister said, “It was so much fun collaborating with such a Melbourne institution to create artwork for Terminal 3 ½. Whether you’re arriving or departing, I have tried to capture a friendly atmosphere with some edge for locals and visitors alike. The design also depicts elements from the brewery process using my signature palette.”
Stomping Ground’s Terminal 3 1/2 will trade seven days a week from 7:30am until late.