Just Open: Bavarian Beerhaus, Brisbane

What's the lowdown?

Rockpool Dining Group is now on schnapps, schnitzel and sundae duty at the RNA Showgrounds. Bavarian Beerhaus is a 350-seat "bohemian-inspired" space with 40 unique beers on tap and steins the size of your head.

It's at the site of the old Royal Snack Bar and similar to Rockpool's existing Bavarian restaurant on Eagle Street Pier but, as the name suggests, with a lot more beer. Espresso martinis are available from a tap and by the litre.

When does it open?

Thursday, May 24, at 5pm with a free dagwood dog for the first 500 customers.

What's the cause for excitement?

There's a few great brews on tap and beer nerds will be keen to get across a range of ales from Lagunitas, the one-time "craft" brewery from California that's now owned by Heineken and making a move into the Australian market.

Queensland breweries feature among Bavarian labels such as Hofbrau, Spaten and Paulaner, and 500ml of Newstead session ale will set you back $12. The same pour of Green Beacon Windjammer IPA is yours for $12.70.

What's on the menu?

Beer-friendly food with no shortage of carbs. We're talking a giant pretzel with butter, pickles and sweet mustard ($10), a sausage platter for one with thuringer, kransky, kielbasa, frankfurter, mash and sauerkraut ($34), pork knuckle ($28/$35) and something called a "schnitzelmeister" ($100) involving one kilogram of crumbed veal and your choice of sides.

It was a shame to see the original Royal Snack Bar knocked down. Such brilliant steak-and-onion sandwich signage that can never be replaced. In a small tribute to the old girl, Bavarian Beerhaus has a snack bar menu featuring dagwood dogs with fries ($12) and a strawberry sundae ($6) to get you through to Ekka.

Anything else I need to know?

There's $2 hot dogs for this weekend's grand opening celebrations plus 10¢ chicken wings, a tarot card reader, roving burlesque performers, "roller skate entertainers" and a magician. Local beer legends will also showcase their goods at a series of Meet the Brewer sessions over the two days. Stone & Wood, Young Henrys and Newstead are pouring and talking on the Saturday, while Sunday features Burleigh Brewing, Green Beacon and Hope Estate (they make more than just wine). Visit the Beerhaus website for more information.

Also, ordering a one-litre beer for yourself might make for a fun Instagram post, but this is Queensland and that pale ale isn't staying cold for long. Do you really want to be stuck with a long-neck's worth of warm beer in your mitts? Stick to the 300ml pours, pals.

Open daily 11am-late

Shop 6, 45 King Street, Bowen Hills, 02 9259 5600, thebavarians.com/bavarian-beerhaus