Perth's new Optus Stadium is set to open this weekend and the beer lineup has been confirmed. While all general admission areas will only be pouring mid-strength beers due to liquor licensing restrictions, Gage Roads has brewed special versions of a number of its beers too.
It means that as well as the brewery's new Alby Crisp Lager, all attendees will be able to choose from 3.5 percent ABV versions of Single Fin summer ale and Atomic American pale ale plus the Hello Sunshine apple cider. Anyone with seats in the premium parts of the stadium will be able to choose from the entire Gage Roads range.
The announcement was made by the stadium management today, along with the news that fans will pay the same price as they have previously at Domain Stadium and the WACA Ground. This means a 425ml cup of beer at the stadium will be $8.50.
Optus Stadium CEO Mike McKenna said the intention was to put the fans first.
“Gage Roads is a fantastic local company, producing quality beers," he said in a statement. "We’re thrilled to be providing a broad selection for patrons, including two special edition beers that will only be poured at Optus Stadium.
"Stadium fans will have a choice of beverages that are brewed just 14 kilometres away at a price consistent with other major sporting venues.”
Among the beers available in premium areas of the stadium will be the full-strength Alby Draught lager, 2016 AIBA Champion Australian Beer Little Dove, Sleeping Giant IPA, Narrow Neck Pale Ale and Breakwater Australian Pale Ale.
Gage Roads managing director John Hoedemaker said: “It’s a very exciting time for our company. We are looking forward to providing fans with a selection of our locally crafted beverages to enjoy while they are experiencing the very best sport and entertainment at this magnificent venue.”
Optus Stadium will open this Sunday with an Open Day, followed by the Gillette One Day International between Australia and England on January 28, an AFL Women’s match on February 10, Ed Sheeran concerts on March 2 and 3, the Perth NRL Double Header on March 10, and the AFL Premiership Season from March 25.
Read more on this story in our interview with Gage Roads head brewer and COO Aaron Heary – how the beers were chosen and redesigned, what it means for the wider beer industry and more – here.
UPDATE: Since the Perth Stadium lineup was announced, Gage Roads has also been confirmed as a beer partner for the forthcoming Rugby 7s tournament in Sydney.
About the author: Guy drinks and writes about beer, goes for a run most mornings and makes his own chilli hot sauce. Find out more on Goodtimes Craft Beer via Facebook and Instagram.
For me, beer writing is about sharing experience with others, most of which is as much about what happens around the glass as what’s in it. It’s why I started a blog in 2014 after years of drinking beer and through quite literally bumping into founder James Smith at Good Beer Week began writing for The Crafty Pint. Many amazing friendships have developed from the love of water, malt, hops, yeast, adjuncts and hype!
The beer(s) or moment(s) that turned you on to good beer
Early 90s experience with Dogbolter and bottles of Delirium Tremens at the Sail and Anchor proved that there was more to beer than the cheap stuff I was drinking. A few years later, Chimay Blue once again teased before Little Creatures Pale Ale and Feral Hop Hog set the course for beer with flavour and nuance.
Favourite beer styles
Balance and drinking context are key but a short list includes Brett saisons, super fresh West Coast IPAs, well constructed BA sours, BA imperial stouts and fresh India pale lagers.
You've got three beers to turn someone else on to good beer; what are they and why?
Depending on the beer and circumstance, bitterness and acidity are the hurdles to overcome.
- Right now, Eagle Bay’s IPL is a great modern expression of technique and approachability. The hop presence arrives in soft mango and lime with enough bitterness but it’s the tight carbonation and refreshingly super dry finish that seals the deal.
- Boston Brewing’s Afterglose: Raspberry gose brings a near-perfect fruit / salt / acidity balance to a vibrantly coloured beer. It’s a real talking point which can lead to conversation about the history of beer styles, acidity on the palate or just: "Do you want another one?"
- Any fresh Czech-style pilsner. This has to be fresh in order to pick up the grassy noble hop characters and zippy bitterness on the slightly more biscuity malt body. While familiar to many, a really fresh expression is great starting point for a massive world of beer.
Tell us about a standout beer moment
A favourite beer memory involves spending an afternoon sitting under the dripping eaves of a café in the 5th Arrondissement watching Parisians run in and out of a bakery with fresh baguettes while I drank large goblets of Duvel as the winter rain soaked the tiny cobblestoned square. So much about beer is context!
