Capital Brewing Co will open their second venue, Lager House, in early 2026. The venue will be a warm neighbourhood pub that brings the founders back to their Canberra hospitality roots and introduces one of the region’s most respected chefs, Paul Starley, as Executive Chef. 

Lager House is the venue Managing Director Laurence Kain and co-founder Tom Hertel have always dreamed of creating. After years spent sharing Capital beer across Australia and building one of the country’s most loved independent breweries, they felt a pull back to the simple joy of local hospitality and the role it plays in connecting communities. 

The idea manifested in the form of a wedding invitation handed to them at the Fyshwick taproom. The couple who gave it had met on a first date at Capital, returned over the years, and eventually planned their wedding within those same walls.

“That was the moment we realised the taproom was much more to the community than a place to have a beer,” says Laurence. “It made us think deeply about the importance of creating spaces where people feel welcome and connected.”

Long before the brewery existed, hospitality shaped who they were. In 2005 Laurence and Tom first met behind the bar at Trinity in Dickson while working to support their studies. They went on to open Honkytonks in Garema Place, then revitalised Hippo Bar, before launching Capital Brewing Co in 2016.  

“We are still a couple of local blokes just having a crack, operating one of Australia’s most beloved craft breweries, and now returning to our roots in Canberra hospitality,” says Laurence. Nearly twenty years after those early shifts polishing glasses, they are creating the kind of venue that ignited their love for the industry in the first place. 

Lager House is designed as a familiar neighbourhood pub that feels elevated yet easy going. Capezio and Copeland have shaped a warm interior using recycled timber from Thor’s Hammer, tactile surfaces and an open U-shaped bar inspired by classic Sydney and Melbourne pubs. The kitchen will work over wood fire and three 1500 litre tanks will pour fresh seasonal lagers directly from the source. A spacious terrace will extend the relaxed atmosphere. 

To enhance the drinking experience, Capital has commissioned LUKR in the Czech Republic to hand make traditional side pour taps. In the birthplace of Pilsner, pouring beer is considered a true craft, and Laurence says this level of care will define Lager House.  

“The three specialty lagers on tap will be brewed on site at the Fyshwick brewery, then lagered and delivered using a custom-built trailer that can transport up to 1500 litres at a time. It will cruise around town dropping the beer off straight into the tanks, so guests are drinking the freshest lager possible.” 

Esteemed chef Paul Starley will lead the kitchen. Known for his work in the Snowy Mountains region, Paul brings a deep respect for produce, fire cooking and generous pub food. At the heart of the kitchen is a massive Brazilian wood fired grill built specifically for the venue. It will anchor a menu of coal cooked meats and seafood, vibrant vegetarian dishes and snacks designed for drinking, alongside classic pub favourites done properly and priced well.  

Guests can expect to drink tank fresh seasonal lagers, a curated line up of Capital favourites and rotating small batch releases, along with local wines and classic cocktails. 

Lager House is a pub for the locals wanting a regular spot to call their own, corporates seeking an easy lunch or knock off destination, families gathering for dinner and friends meeting without a plan.  

“It’s the culmination of our experience exploring beer cultures around the world. Like our favourite pubs in Europe, it’s about creating a place for people to come together in their neighbourhood and enjoy really good quality specialty lager and really good quality food,” says Laurence. 

Lager House is an authentic extension of Capital with its own distinct personality. It celebrates simple pleasures such as cold beer, good food and familiar faces. It opens February 2026. 

For more information, visit Capital Brewing Lager House or follow along for updates on Facebook or Instagram.