Blasta Brewing have been named the Official Bevvy Partner of Western Force, with the new partnership opening up a range of opportunities for the Perth brewery.
Founder Steve Russell told The Crafty Pint the deal meant their multi-purpose Burswood home would be the home of rugby in Perth and host not only fans of the state's team, but also pre and post-games celebrations for international matches, such as this Saturday's Wallabies-Springboks Test. Steve says it means Blasta can act as "the home of rugby in WA"
"This reaffirms our commitment to community," Steve says. "Adding the Western Force and WA Rugby reaffirms our commitment to community, enabling those social interactions in an official home for the first time in Western Australia."
In terms of location, the Blasta Collective is ideal for such events: the upcoming test is at Optus Stadium, which is an easy stroll from the brewery, while Western Force's home at HBF Park is just a short train ride away. Indeed, that proximity was part of what captured the attention of the Western Force team; Steve says they approached Blasta after enjoying beers at the multifaceted venue.
"Their leadership team had been in and felt this could be great for Western Force and great for rugby in general," Steve says. "So, there's a lot of activations as well from a national and international perspective."
The partnership builds upon years of support for local sports clubs, including the Perth Redbacks basketball side who Blasta have worked closely with since 2021. Steve says opportunities like this offer the chance to connect with the wider community as they continue to build.
"We've always been involved in local and grassroots and sponsored what we can when we can," Steve says, adding the Redbacks are currently growing fast with a dedicated stadium in the works.
"We're six years old and we're keen to support anything local and any bigger initiatives going on. [Western Force and Redbacks] are both still in their early stages of growth, so it's a really exciting place to be."
The deal sees Blasta offer 15 percent discounts to rugby fans before and after games. Beyond that, however, Steve is particularly excited to have the chance to share his brewery's hospitality with a new audience.
"I don't want to make a faceless transaction," he says. "This is something we're doing for a reason, and building our brand even more in terms of the food and beverage we offer."
Further details of the announcement are in the media release below.
Media Release: Force And Blasta Brew Up Exciting Bevvy Partnership
The Western Force are excited to announce they have teamed up with Burswood-based Blasta Brewing to be the Club’s Official Bevvy Partner, offering a range of benefits for rugby fans in WA.
The new partnership will see Blasta’s family-friendly and extensive, multi-purpose Burswood gastropub become the home of rugby for the upcoming 12-month calendar of events.
Blasta’s new venue opened only six months ago and is a multi-purpose family-friendly venue, with a restaurant, beer hall, café and function space suitable for rugby watch parties with Stan Sport access, plus corporate events and social gatherings.
As part of the partnership, Blasta will offer Force Members and sponsors a range of discounts on food and beverages, plus discounts on Force matchdays to all fans. There will also be discounts on Force away games and international games for watch parties with supporters.
The Burswood venue is only a short train ride or drive to HBF Park for home Force games, while it’s only a short walk to Optus Stadium for next year’s British and Irish Lions game along with Saturday’s Wallabies-Springboks Test.
As part of Saturday’s Wallabies-Springboks Test, Blasta are offering 15 per off all purchases for fans wearing either Force, Wallabies or Springboks sporting colours within the venue both two hours before and after the game.
Blasta managing director Steven Russell was excited to partner with the Force to create an authentic and genuine home of rugby for fans in Perth.
“With Blasta's premier hospitality there is a true home for WA rugby, centrally located within Perth for the first time,” Russell said.
“Rugby fans will now have the opportunity to make home in a top-tier hospitality and beer brand, supporting them along the way.”
Russell added that there was great synergy between Blasta and the Force as two local brands with similar values.
“Blasta's foundations come from humble beginnings in 2018 to becoming a premier hospitality brand in WA and Australia,” Russell said.
“We don't just make and sell beer, we provide memorable experiences, while supporting the local community by enabling positive social connections and sense of belonging.
“The Western Force partnership aligns with our own values and track record of supporting community, grass-roots sports and positive social outcomes.”
Force business development manager Huw Lock was delighted about the partnership and the benefits it will provide not only the two brands but the WA rugby community.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Blasta who represent a great local success story underlined by ambition and with values aligned to the Force,” Lock said.
“The partnership is a big win for WA rugby fans, given the discounts and benefits on offer, but also the sense of community that will be created by a hub for home Force matchdays along with watch parties for Force away games plus international matches from Wallabies, Springboks to All Blacks, Six Nations and more, given the range of expatriate populations that live within Perth.”
Blasta will host watch parties at the Burswood venue for upcoming rugby events including the Rugby Championship, November internationals, Perth SVNS, Six Nations, Super Rugby Pacific and Super Rugby Women’s.
As well as an extensive food menu at the beer hall and gastro brewery, Blasta boasts a great range of award-winning beers and ciders, including alcohol-free low carb options.
For more info on Blasta Brewing, go here.
Will Ziebell is a history graduate who knows more about The Wire than he does about beer. He was awarded the AIBA Best Media trophy for 2018; HBO have told him to please send his fan mail elsewhere. He can be found on Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.
The beer(s) or moment(s) that turned you on to good beer:
Spending time living in the UK (and backpacking across Europe) when I was 21 certainly gave me a better understanding of the beer and different styles of the world. But I'd say it was a holiday to the High Country a little while later when lunch and a tasting paddle at Bridge Road Brewers created an obsession with Australian breweries and locally made beer.
You've got three beers to turn someone else on to good beer; what are they and why?
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Boatrocker's Miss Pinky: It's a raspberry-packed Berliner Weisse that neither looks or tastes the way many people conceive of beer.
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Bad Shepherd Hazelnut Brown: A luscious mix of chocolate and hazelnut that can appeal to the sweet tooth within us all.
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Stone & Wood Pacific Ale: As the father of my oldest friend once said to me: "It's the perfect refreshing pint that smells like they've loaded it with the God's herb."
The last beer you enjoyed:
Garage Project's DFA while sitting at the bar at Miss Moses as the sounds of The Rolling Stone drifting in the background.
Three things that represent you:
- Bruce Springsteen
- Ken Burns
- The State Library of Victoria
