The restoration of the iconic Queenslander pub, established in 1905, includes a gentle facelift of the bistro, improved accessibility, air-conditioning, new furniture, including for the gaming room, new lighting, and upgraded kitchen and bathroom facilities. A new car park is adjacent to the just-launched beer garden. Upstairs accommodation is under full renovation, and is expected to open by the end of the year, strengthening the getaway offerings and food-and-drink experiences in the increasingly popular travel destination of the Scenic Rim.

The old-fashioned hospitality of the much-loved pub remains in the public bar and bistro. The addition of Boonah Brewing Co and beer garden, however, brings a unique new offering to the region as Ghanem Group fulfils a long-held dream of opening a craft brewery.

The brewery is in full production, with a full-flavoured mid-strength beer brewed with a variety of malts and a mix of Australian and European hops, and an alcoholic ginger beer already on tap. An additional four core brews will gradually hit the taps over coming weeks, including an Aussie XPA brewed with 100% Australian Galaxy hops, an Italian lager brewed with specially grown Italian barley, a rice lager brewed with flaked rice and pilsner malt, and a hard lemonade. Seasonal and specialty brews will follow. The beers are exclusively available at the Commercial Hotel Boonah and BBCo, but will eventually be available in all Ghanem Group venues and bottle shops.

From today, visitors can enjoy a refreshing brew accompanied by dishes from a newly launched and expanded bistro menu, served either inside the hotel, or in the open-air beer garden, which looks back into the brewery.

The family-owned Group, which has a farm in the nearby town of Tarome where they raise livestock and grow fruit and vegetables, has close ties to local communities. Natural spring water from the farm will be used in the beers, and beer barley mash from the brewing process will be fed to the family’s cattle. 

The full refurbishment of the historic hotel is expected to be complete by late-2025, positioning it as a boutique, short-stay destination for Scenic Rim visitors.

Ghanem Group director Adonis Ghanem says the Commercial Hotel Boonah is a rare beauty, ripe for renovation in the heart of the spectacular Scenic Rim – a region that his family cherishes. Restoring the property, with the exciting addition of a craft brewery and beer garden, is a project that the family hopes will give back to the community by further boosting the region’s tourism appeal.

“To restore a property that is so precious to locals, and to add to the region’s already unique getaways and food-and-drink offerings with the creation of Boonah Brewing Co, is something we are very passionate about,” Mr Ghanem says. 

“The Commercial Hotel Boonah is central to the fabric of the community and will continue to be so. BBCo beers are pouring, and we invite everyone to come along, pull up a stool at the bar, or table in the beer garden, and enjoy the autumn sunshine, cold beers, and bistro menu this weekend.”

Executive Chef Jake Nicolson brings an elevated bistro menu to life that includes classic pub dishes, as well as  ‘Commie Classics’, such as House Made Hake Fish Fingers and Chips, Tandoori Duck Curry, Slow-Cooked Lamb Shank Pot Pie, Smoky Beef and Maple Sausage with Caramelised Onion and Gravy, and Slow-Cooked Glazed Pork Ribs with Honey BBQ Sauce and Asian-Style Slaw. A range of starters, salads, sandwiches and burgers, and deep-pan, Detroit-style pizzas complete a family-friendly menu that ensures there is something for everyone.

“We’ve elevated traditional pub classics and added our own spin with a section of unique Commie Classics that really bring out the best flavours of the region, and of Boonah Brewing Co beers,” Chef Jake says.

Website: commercialhotelboonah.com.au | Instagram: @commercialhotelboonah @boonahbrewingco
Facebook: CommercialHotelBoonah

Ghanem Group
Ghanem Group is a pioneering, award-winning, family-owned hospitality group with a 45-year history in Queensland and Victoria. The Group offers a growing portfolio of first-class dining experiences from around the world, including Lebanese, Spanish, modern Australian, French, American, Japanese, modern Chinese and Thai/Vietnamese. The portfolio includes Brisbane restaurants Byblós, Blackbird Bar, Dining & Events, Bisou Bisou, Boom Boom Room, Donna Chang, Iris Rooftop, Lúc Lắc, and the development currently known as The Fox Hotel; the Commercial Hotel Boonah and Boonah Brewing Co in regional Queensland; and Byblós, Le Bon Ton and Blackbird Bar, Dining and Events in Melbourne. Ghanem Group has grown meticulously to where it is today and has its sights set firmly on the role it will continue to play in the future of Australia’s exciting and evolving hospitality landscape.

Website: ghanemgroup.com.au | Instagram: @_ghanemgroup | Facebook: GhanemGroup

Media Enquiries: Sass Communications, Director, Rachel Lebihan | rachel@sasscomms.com.au.

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