Hop down to craft venue

Beer lovers will have more reason to visit the Ningaloo Coast soon with a local trio set to open a restaurant dishing up modern Australian cuisine and beers brewed in-house in Exmouth.

Pete Firth, Phil Gray and Tyler Little are aiming to have a soft opening for Froth Craft restaurant on February 23 at the old 5 Kennedy Street premises in the shopping mall.

Mr Firth said the trio were following their passion to create a “pint of difference” in the market not available elsewhere in the North West.

“We think there’s a large market here and certainly a niche to be filled,” he said.

“Pairing great local produce with artisan craft beers is yet to be seen in the Pilbara (and Gascoyne) area.

“Hopefully, we can create a pumping venue that can entice people to return and experience everything Exmouth has to offer.”

The restaurant has been decked out with six tonnes of Margaret River jarrah, restored furniture and fence posts which Mr Firth said should create a rustic vibe.

The party piece will be at the point of sale inside.

Froth Craft beers will flow through a driftwood structure, dubbed draughtwood, above the bar.

Mr Little, who has taken on the role as head brewer, said he expected easy drinking styles such as kolsch to go down well in the North West heat.

“I have been brewing for more than 10 years doing a bit of work down in Eagle Bay and Bootleg, but it has always been a dream to start our own brewery up here,” he said.

“Being Canadian, I definitely have more of a North American hops influence to my brewing, but we want to stick to traditional styles to start off.”

Once established, Mr Little said he would like to get more experimental with seasonal releases and some of his own personal projects.

“My favourite is definitely pale ales, or what I consider a west coast pale ale,” he said.

“It is quite fruity and hoppy, so hopefully everyone else will like it too. “I’ve been slowly over the last few years using my friends to taste test.”

Mr Firth said he hoped the venue would become a social hub for residents and tourists.

Initially, Froth Craft will be running on a restaurant licence with a liquor without a meal extended trading permit.