THE RHYME OF THE ANCIENT , BURPING , THIRSTY SHIPPING REPORTER

 Water, water  everywhere - and  a   new drop  to drink  on  Magnetic Island.  Our waterfront  roundsman journeyed to Townsville's Jewel in the Crown on Friday for  the first day of   trading  at the new    Magnetic Island   Brewery in the Picnic  Bay  Arcade  .  It   was  so  busy  and   noisy ,  he  said  it   reminded   him  of  his school holidays  , during six  o'clock closing,  when   he   sipped   squash    with  Crealy  Brothers    truckies   in  a   Sydney   pub  near    Central  Railway , experiencing   life  in  its  many   frothy  forms . The boutique  brewery  produces several brews  , one  with a certain  Germanic  taste , so  you could end up  slapping  your  lederhosen  in  a  scene  from  a Chevy Chase  National  Lampoon  movie.  There  is  a   good range  of   pub   tucker .