04-07-2025
Full Throttle Ranch goes the whole hog and brisket on opening weekend
After five long years of COVID setbacks, development applications and construction delays, Mick Tyrrell's long-held dream of bringing his love of southern American barbecue cuisine, music and culture to the Hunter is "running wild."
On Friday afternoon, the Hunter Valley businessman's Full Throttle Ranch opened its doors at the site of the old Buttai Barn.
The new venue hosts up to 500 people but is expected to be fully booked on its opening weekend.
"Tomorrow morning it'll probably hit home a little harder," Mr Tyrrell told the Newcastle Herald two hours before opening.
"Right now, I suppose when you're busy, the pressure and the stress of it takes hold. It's exciting."
The Lings Road property was home to the Buttai Barn for 38 years, hosting country dances, music, and other entertainment.
In January 2020 Mr Tyrrell and his partner, Sara Berg, purchased the property as they looked to expand their business portfolio, which includes Beresfield businesses Full Throttle Custom Garage, a high-end muscle car mechanic, and Full Throttle BBQ & Cafe, known for its brisket pies.
Since then, the old Buttai Barn site has been expanded and transformed into an American-style restaurant and entertainment venue.
The menu is carnivore heaven. It features southern fried chicken, two-kilogram tomahawk steaks, Texan brisket and pulled pork, deep south gumbo, burgers, and Mr Tyrrell's personal favourite, chicken fried catfish.
Much of it is prepared in the slow-cooked smoker dubbed "The Undertaker," which is capable of barbecuing 1.2 tonnes of meat at a time. Full Throttle Ranch is expected to dish up 3.5 tonnes of brisket a week.
"Chicken fried catfish was non-negotiable," he said. "It's a dish that I love from down in Tennessee and it's very rural Tennessee and so delicious."
Full Throttle Ranch also promises to provide another option for the Hunter music scene.
Next Friday the venue kicks off its music program with a sold-out show from Melbourne rock band Kingswood.
"For a first event and for a venue that hasn't even opened yet to sell out is pretty spectacular," Mr Tyrrell said.
"It's huge for us because it sends a message to all of the artists around that we can sell out a gig."
Newcastle's country music star Catherine Britt is the venue's manager and booking agent. Britt's husband, Brad Bergen, fronts the host band, the Full Throttle Outlaws.
"We've built this place for a number of reasons," Mr Tyrrell said.
"Obviously the interactions with people, having good food and music, but also we wanted to build something for artists where they can feel appreciated and have a venue that is really going to work hard for them."
There is a development application with Cessnock Shire Council for Full Throttle Ranch to host outdoor concerts capped at 5000 people.
Full Throttle Ranch is situated in rural Buttai, a 20-minute drive from Maitland and Cessnock and more than 30 minutes from Newcastle.
Mr Tyrrell said ensuring his patrons got home safely was a priority. Return coach services are available twice a night from Cessnock, Maitland and Newcastle.
"A big concern for us was people drink-driving because we're out of town," he said. "We've gone to great lengths to do everything we physically can to give everybody the option."
After five long years of COVID setbacks, development applications and construction delays, Mick Tyrrell's long-held dream of bringing his love of southern American barbecue cuisine, music and culture to the Hunter is "running wild."
On Friday afternoon, the Hunter Valley businessman's Full Throttle Ranch opened its doors at the site of the old Buttai Barn.
The new venue hosts up to 500 people but is expected to be fully booked on its opening weekend.
"Tomorrow morning it'll probably hit home a little harder," Mr Tyrrell told the Newcastle Herald two hours before opening.
"Right now, I suppose when you're busy, the pressure and the stress of it takes hold. It's exciting."
The Lings Road property was home to the Buttai Barn for 38 years, hosting country dances, music, and other entertainment.
In January 2020 Mr Tyrrell and his partner, Sara Berg, purchased the property as they looked to expand their business portfolio, which includes Beresfield businesses Full Throttle Custom Garage, a high-end muscle car mechanic, and Full Throttle BBQ & Cafe, known for its brisket pies.
Since then, the old Buttai Barn site has been expanded and transformed into an American-style restaurant and entertainment venue.
The menu is carnivore heaven. It features southern fried chicken, two-kilogram tomahawk steaks, Texan brisket and pulled pork, deep south gumbo, burgers, and Mr Tyrrell's personal favourite, chicken fried catfish.
Much of it is prepared in the slow-cooked smoker dubbed "The Undertaker," which is capable of barbecuing 1.2 tonnes of meat at a time. Full Throttle Ranch is expected to dish up 3.5 tonnes of brisket a week.
"Chicken fried catfish was non-negotiable," he said. "It's a dish that I love from down in Tennessee and it's very rural Tennessee and so delicious."
Full Throttle Ranch also promises to provide another option for the Hunter music scene.
Next Friday the venue kicks off its music program with a sold-out show from Melbourne rock band Kingswood.
"For a first event and for a venue that hasn't even opened yet to sell out is pretty spectacular," Mr Tyrrell said.
"It's huge for us because it sends a message to all of the artists around that we can sell out a gig."
Newcastle's country music star Catherine Britt is the venue's manager and booking agent. Britt's husband, Brad Bergen, fronts the host band, the Full Throttle Outlaws.
"We've built this place for a number of reasons," Mr Tyrrell said.
"Obviously the interactions with people, having good food and music, but also we wanted to build something for artists where they can feel appreciated and have a venue that is really going to work hard for them."
There is a development application with Cessnock Shire Council for Full Throttle Ranch to host outdoor concerts capped at 5000 people.
Full Throttle Ranch is situated in rural Buttai, a 20-minute drive from Maitland and Cessnock and more than 30 minutes from Newcastle.
Mr Tyrrell said ensuring his patrons got home safely was a priority. Return coach services are available twice a night from Cessnock, Maitland and Newcastle.
"A big concern for us was people drink-driving because we're out of town," he said. "We've gone to great lengths to do everything we physically can to give everybody the option."
After five long years of COVID setbacks, development applications and construction delays, Mick Tyrrell's long-held dream of bringing his love of southern American barbecue cuisine, music and culture to the Hunter is "running wild."
On Friday afternoon, the Hunter Valley businessman's Full Throttle Ranch opened its doors at the site of the old Buttai Barn.
The new venue hosts up to 500 people but is expected to be fully booked on its opening weekend.
"Tomorrow morning it'll probably hit home a little harder," Mr Tyrrell told the Newcastle Herald two hours before opening.
"Right now, I suppose when you're busy, the pressure and the stress of it takes hold. It's exciting."
The Lings Road property was home to the Buttai Barn for 38 years, hosting country dances, music, and other entertainment.
In January 2020 Mr Tyrrell and his partner, Sara Berg, purchased the property as they looked to expand their business portfolio, which includes Beresfield businesses Full Throttle Custom Garage, a high-end muscle car mechanic, and Full Throttle BBQ & Cafe, known for its brisket pies.
Since then, the old Buttai Barn site has been expanded and transformed into an American-style restaurant and entertainment venue.
The menu is carnivore heaven. It features southern fried chicken, two-kilogram tomahawk steaks, Texan brisket and pulled pork, deep south gumbo, burgers, and Mr Tyrrell's personal favourite, chicken fried catfish.
Much of it is prepared in the slow-cooked smoker dubbed "The Undertaker," which is capable of barbecuing 1.2 tonnes of meat at a time. Full Throttle Ranch is expected to dish up 3.5 tonnes of brisket a week.
"Chicken fried catfish was non-negotiable," he said. "It's a dish that I love from down in Tennessee and it's very rural Tennessee and so delicious."
Full Throttle Ranch also promises to provide another option for the Hunter music scene.
Next Friday the venue kicks off its music program with a sold-out show from Melbourne rock band Kingswood.
"For a first event and for a venue that hasn't even opened yet to sell out is pretty spectacular," Mr Tyrrell said.
"It's huge for us because it sends a message to all of the artists around that we can sell out a gig."
Newcastle's country music star Catherine Britt is the venue's manager and booking agent. Britt's husband, Brad Bergen, fronts the host band, the Full Throttle Outlaws.
"We've built this place for a number of reasons," Mr Tyrrell said.
"Obviously the interactions with people, having good food and music, but also we wanted to build something for artists where they can feel appreciated and have a venue that is really going to work hard for them."
There is a development application with Cessnock Shire Council for Full Throttle Ranch to host outdoor concerts capped at 5000 people.
Full Throttle Ranch is situated in rural Buttai, a 20-minute drive from Maitland and Cessnock and more than 30 minutes from Newcastle.
Mr Tyrrell said ensuring his patrons got home safely was a priority. Return coach services are available twice a night from Cessnock, Maitland and Newcastle.
"A big concern for us was people drink-driving because we're out of town," he said. "We've gone to great lengths to do everything we physically can to give everybody the option."
After five long years of COVID setbacks, development applications and construction delays, Mick Tyrrell's long-held dream of bringing his love of southern American barbecue cuisine, music and culture to the Hunter is "running wild."
On Friday afternoon, the Hunter Valley businessman's Full Throttle Ranch opened its doors at the site of the old Buttai Barn.
The new venue hosts up to 500 people but is expected to be fully booked on its opening weekend.
"Tomorrow morning it'll probably hit home a little harder," Mr Tyrrell told the Newcastle Herald two hours before opening.
"Right now, I suppose when you're busy, the pressure and the stress of it takes hold. It's exciting."
The Lings Road property was home to the Buttai Barn for 38 years, hosting country dances, music, and other entertainment.
In January 2020 Mr Tyrrell and his partner, Sara Berg, purchased the property as they looked to expand their business portfolio, which includes Beresfield businesses Full Throttle Custom Garage, a high-end muscle car mechanic, and Full Throttle BBQ & Cafe, known for its brisket pies.
Since then, the old Buttai Barn site has been expanded and transformed into an American-style restaurant and entertainment venue.
The menu is carnivore heaven. It features southern fried chicken, two-kilogram tomahawk steaks, Texan brisket and pulled pork, deep south gumbo, burgers, and Mr Tyrrell's personal favourite, chicken fried catfish.
Much of it is prepared in the slow-cooked smoker dubbed "The Undertaker," which is capable of barbecuing 1.2 tonnes of meat at a time. Full Throttle Ranch is expected to dish up 3.5 tonnes of brisket a week.
"Chicken fried catfish was non-negotiable," he said. "It's a dish that I love from down in Tennessee and it's very rural Tennessee and so delicious."
Full Throttle Ranch also promises to provide another option for the Hunter music scene.
Next Friday the venue kicks off its music program with a sold-out show from Melbourne rock band Kingswood.
"For a first event and for a venue that hasn't even opened yet to sell out is pretty spectacular," Mr Tyrrell said.
"It's huge for us because it sends a message to all of the artists around that we can sell out a gig."
Newcastle's country music star Catherine Britt is the venue's manager and booking agent. Britt's husband, Brad Bergen, fronts the host band, the Full Throttle Outlaws.
"We've built this place for a number of reasons," Mr Tyrrell said.
"Obviously the interactions with people, having good food and music, but also we wanted to build something for artists where they can feel appreciated and have a venue that is really going to work hard for them."
There is a development application with Cessnock Shire Council for Full Throttle Ranch to host outdoor concerts capped at 5000 people.
Full Throttle Ranch is situated in rural Buttai, a 20-minute drive from Maitland and Cessnock and more than 30 minutes from Newcastle.
Mr Tyrrell said ensuring his patrons got home safely was a priority. Return coach services are available twice a night from Cessnock, Maitland and Newcastle.
"A big concern for us was people drink-driving because we're out of town," he said. "We've gone to great lengths to do everything we physically can to give everybody the option."
