When it comes to ensuring you have a drink in your hand for all occasions, you cannot look past the versatile, low calorie and deliciously easy-to-drink seltzer. Humble, zesty, and never out to get you, this drink is perfect on a hot summer’s day beachside, actually… it’s enjoyable just about anywhere at any time!

For those who appreciate this tasty and refreshing libation, Hard FIZZ is a name that over the last 12 months has exploded onto the scene with delicious and imaginative drinks. And if you aren’t familiar, take this as a sign that you ought to be. The Gold Coast brand has been involved with a slew of national events and has cemented itself as one of Australia’s go-to drinks in just its first twelve months.

But don’t just take our word for it — why not drop into their brand spanking new seltzer brewery in Burleigh (a world first!) and see what all the f̶u̶s̶s̶ fizz is about.

The immersive headquarters in Burleigh’s expanding light industrial precinct has been expertly designed and executed by Zero 9 Constructions. Upon entry you’ll be welcomed into a huge courtyard leading into where the fun begins. The brewery vats are on full display, with a bar featuring pink and aqua highlights. No bar is complete without a fun neon and in this case, everyone is encouraged to ‘Let’s get fizzy’.

Patrons are now offered the chance to taste their freshly brewed fizz straight from the tap. As well as opportunities for fans to walk in and create their own personalised flavours! Oooooh yes! We are here for this.

If this wasn’t enough though, the venue will also feature a lineup of local Gold Coast beers, artisan spirits and everyone’s favourite, Mr Consistent, as an exciting collaborative cocktail on tap — just in case you feel like mixing it up.

The team behind this successful and fun-fuelled drink is a who’s who of Gold Coast personalities, including international DJ’s Paul Fisher, Brooke Evers and Tigerlilly, along with professional surfers Laura Enever and Nikki Van Dijk, celebrity chef Hayden Quinn and hospitality heavyweights, Billy and Jackie Cross.

The new Burleigh ‘HQ’ will encourage patrons to hang out, share a fizz or two, and watch how it is all put together. (With lashings of fun and laughter, naturally!)

Chief of Fizz, Wade Tiller, is excited about the brand and the opening mentioning “Seltzer is most definitely the drink of choice around the world at the moment, but we’re [Hard FIZZ] proudly Gold Coast and are so stoked to be keeping it here in our hometown. We just want to be synonymous with fun — I think we’re doing that.”

The headquarters will also have food offerings such as bao buns and poke bowls and will be operating Thursday through to Sunday from noon to 9pm, with huge plans to bring a huge schedule of local up-and-coming DJs with deftly curated soundtracks to your summer. We. Are. In.

Gold Coasters, the only thing left to do is get fizzy!

When: Opening Friday 26th November and then operating Thursday – Sunday noon till 9pm
Where: 16 Hibiscus Haven, Burleigh Heads 

Words by Alex Mitcheson.

Ever walk into a venue and really just ogle the space? Yep, us too. And is it just us or does it seem new venues across the Gold Coast have really stepped up their fit-out game recently? A few venues spring to mind when it comes to ones that deserve a feature on the ‘gram; of which include the new Surfers Pavilion, and the reinvigoration of The Star Gold Coast’s Atrium Bar. Both of which were projects of Brisbane & Gold Coast company, Zero 9 Constructions. We were fortunate enough to get to know the founders of Zero 9, Karley & Ryan McAlpin, to talk all things Commercial & Residential construction and boy do they have some big projects in the pipeline! Watch this space!

How long have you been Gold Coast locals?
Karley: All my life, I was born and bred on the GC. (Except for a few overseas adventures!)
Ryan: All my life. Born and bred in Tweed (I’ll claim that as the Gold Coast) haha

Tell us about how Zero 9 Constructions came about?
Ryan: The burning desire to do what I was doing, but better! Shopfitting had this almost ‘unspoken rule’ that you did big hours, nights, never saw your family, and quality was never valued as the space would get re-fit in 3-7 years… Why? Why can’t quality of finish, and quality of life exist in this sector? This is where we focus our values as a company, on quality, detail and professionalism. We’re not about getting a job done purely to get the job done, our values lie in providing our clients with an experience that is seamless, detailed and exceeds their expectations. That is our passion and where the business started and continues to grow.

Can you tell us the meaning behind “Zero 9”?
Ryan: People often assume it is the year we started the company, but there is a bit more of a love story behind it. 2009 was the year Karley and I met, in Canada, on a snow mountain. Even though we both lived on the Gold Coast, it took us both being in Canada, at the right time for us to find each other. When toying with the idea of starting the business, the name just felt so right, a year that was sentimental to us. And with that, this is where the name Zero 9 came about.

What do you love the most about being in the construction industry on the Gold Coast?
Ryan: Being part of such a dynamic, ever-evolving part of the Gold Coast. Having the ability to create new opportunities and be a part of the community growth is really special to us. Not to mention the people we work with and places we work, we’re currently working on the old Pizza Hut site at Kirra and you couldn’t find a more beautiful part of the world (not to mention how sentimental it is with all the birthday parties I had there). It truly is special to be involved in the future of the Gold Coast and shaping it for the generations to come.

What are your areas of expertise?
Ryan: Our brand started in the Commercial Construction industry with the development of restaurants, cafes, bars, clubs, gyms, office spaces; practically we bring any space to life. Finding recent demand for our level of quality and detail in the Residential industry, the Zero 9 team has expanded into architectural home builds, renovations and extensions. Our team work collectively through the design and construction of these spaces to add value to our clients lives.

Whilst it may be hard to pick, have you got a particular favourite project of Zero 9 Constructions?
Ryan: Tough one… If I had to narrow it down to two, I would say Surfers Pavilion and Burleigh Brewing HQ. Both absolute monster projects with unique challenges and great clients!

What can we expect from Zero 9 Constructions in the next 12 months?
Ryan: Massive things!! Epic rooftop spaces, iconic GC venues, and some of the most beautiful homes the GC and Northern NSW has ever seen.

What are your Gold Coast favourites…
Café: Here Coffee at Zero 9’s Burleigh HQ (obviously), but also VERY hard to go past Tarte in Burleigh.
Coffee spot: Here Coffee at Zero 9’s Burleigh HQ (obviously)
Restaurant: Lucky Bao in Mermaid. Absolute pocket-rocket of a place that is our absolute go to!
Bar or pub for a drink: As we have four young kids, our drinking is usually done at home with a Burleigh Brewing Big Head, or a pack of Hard Fizz. If we are lucky enough to have a night off, it’s hard to beat Burleigh Pavilion for the location and atmosphere.

How do you choose to spend your weekends? 
Ryan: As mentioned above, four young ones keep us VERY occupied. (Thank goodness for the backyard pool, incredible Gold Coast weather, as well as family and friends close by!). During the glimmers of silence, you will normally find us in front of a laptop or Netflix. Basically just sitting in silence…

Where: 1/14 Rothcote Court, Burleigh Heads
Phone: 0481 279 984

STORY SPONSORED BY ZERO 9 CONSTRUCTIONS