Tens of thousands of footy fans will this week have the chance to taste a new purple beer from Gage Roads while watching the Fremantle Dockers in Thursday night’s qualifying final against Hawthorn.
The purple-coloured lager, Purple Reign, will be on tap at Optus Stadium from Thursday for the rest of September in what’s been touted as a “big cultural moment” for Western Australia.
Purple Reign was revealed as Optus Stadium announced it has extended the Palmyra brewer’s contract by five years.
More than 16 million Gage Roads beers and ciders have been poured at Optus since its appointment in 2017 by stadium operator VenuesLive.
Gage Roads spent about two months developing the drink before coming up with a combination of purple carrot and blackcurrant.
“It’s a big moment for the month of September. So we thought, what a better opportunity than to brew a purple beer to celebrate,” Gage Roads executive strategy director Aaron Heary said.
Nailing the colour though, was far from a simple process.
“The purple beer itself is very difficult to brew. With beer being yellow, it’s actually quite difficult to get the purple colour. So we’ve experimented with all different types of of colours and flavours,” he said.
“We really wanted it to taste like a clean, refreshing, crisp lager beer that people could enjoy quite a few of, and without impacting the drink too.”
Fans were keen to add to the game-day excitement with a purple beer in hand.
“I can’t wait. What a cool addition to the menu. We can drink purple and wear purple to support the Dockers and fully embrace that fan culture,” Fremantle Dockers fan Katie McDade said.
“We’re just so excited to have a have a qualifying final here at Optus Stadium. I think that the fans are excited. I feel like we’re going to have lots of bums in seats, which is super exciting, and I can’t wait for everyone to get their hands on a purple beer.”
“What a way to bring in the first qualifying final,” fellow fan Scott Bray said.
The 4 per cent lager will be on tap at Gage Roads in Fremantle for punters who missed out on tickets to the game, and at participating pubs in the port city, but only for the next few weeks.
“It’s a bit of fun, and and then you know hopefully we can all celebrate in that big last game,” Mr Heary said.
Minister for Sport and Recreation Rita Saffioti described Purple Reign as “very tasty” and threw her support behind the WA beer brand’s continuing partnership with the stadium.
“This is going to be a massive game here at Optus on Thursday. I’m already nervous just being here. It’s going to be at capacity. Get here early. It’s going to be an incredible night, and of course, go Dockers,” she said.
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