Ballistic Beer Co has launched a new range of Reef beers, available exclusively in regional Queensland, which will help support restoration and research efforts along the length of Australia’s iconic Great Barrier Reef.
Created especially to suit the sultry Queensland coastal climate, Reef Lager, Reef Pale and Reef Red were launched at Ballistic Bargara Brewhouse in Bundaberg today.
Ballistic Beer Co-commander-in-Chief David Kitchen said ten cents from every can of Reef beer sold in the greater Bundaberg Region would be donated to CQUniversity’s Coastal Marine Ecosystems Research Centre (CMERC) to help restore ecologically important seagrass meadows in Bundaberg, Gladstone and the Discovery Coast.
He said ten cents from every Reef beer sold at Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort, at the same time, would go towards satellite tagging of manta rays, turtles, sharks and red tailed tropic birds, as well as other Island-based activities.
“Earlier this year, Ballistic Beer Co expanded its footprint beyond their Brisbane venues and merged with two regional craft breweries to create Ballistic Whitsundays and Ballistic Bargara,” David said.
“Regional communities are the beating heart of Queensland and we know that if we want to become Queensland’s favourite craft beer, we need to expand beyond Brisbane and support causes that are important to locals, like protecting the reef.”
CMERC Director, Associate Professor Emma Jackson thanked Ballistic Beer Co for their support of important regional research, which has global impact.
“Sea grass meadows are the kidneys of the Great Barrier Reef, as they offset our carbon footprint and are vital for the survival of several species, including dugongs,” Emma said.
“This partnership will help fund work to restore and research sub-tropical seagrass meadows as CMERC runs Queensland’s only dedicated seagrass nursery, where we are teaching the next generation of environmental scientists.
“We work with recreational fishers and Traditional Owners to collect seagrass flowers and harvest millions of seeds for dispersal.”
Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort owner Peter Gash said the partnership with Ballistic would support the extensive research, restoration and educational activities that were conducted each year.
“Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort has achieved Advanced Ecotourism Certification, Climate Action Leader Certification and Green Travel Leader status from Ecotourism Australia in recognition of our sustainability programs and low impact resort operation,” Peter said.
“Our mission is to be the custodians of this pristine environment, giving visitors from all over the world an opportunity to experience this naturally beautiful and fragile ecosystem in an ecologically viable and sustainable way.
“As well as conducting our own regeneration projects on the island, we support the work of a wide range of visiting environmental charities and research organisations.”
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