XXXX Gold Coast Commweath Games beer goes retro with a wink to the 1982 event in Brisbane

ICONIC Queensland brewery XXXX is giving a wink to the past after releasing its commemorative beer cans for the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in April.

Pippa Jeffries looks at a collection of the 1982 beer cans obtained by GOLDOC. Photo by Richard Gosling

ICONIC Queensland brewery XXXX is giving a wink to the past after releasing its commemorative beer cans for the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in April.

Commonwealth Games Minister Kate Jones showcased the series of beer cans at a media conference at 11.30am.

About 500,000 cartons will be produced amounting to 12 million cans to be consumed by Queenslanders and guests — some of them likely to remain on shelves at home as a reminder of the celebration.

Beer from the 1982 Games. Photo by Richard Gosling

Games insiders who have watched over the process say the cans will incorporate different themes like swimming, cycling and running and are also intended to celebrate the return of the Commonwealth Games to Queensland.

“The best of them is a can which is like a throwback to the 1982 Games. It’s a replica of the one they had then,” a Games insider said.

Ms Jones said it was fitting that XXXX produced the commemorative cans.

“In years to come, these cans will be a special part of Queensland’s history,” Ms Jones told the Bulletin.

“It’s pieces of memorabilia like this that last generations — people will be able to hand down these cans as a reminder of the largest event in Queensland’s history.

Games Minister Kate Jones knows the beer cans will be collector items. Picture: Jerad Williams

“Visitors from overseas will be able to take home a souvenir that is uniquely Australian.

XXXX Brewery Director Irene Bell said GC2018 commemorative cans would appear in specially-marked cartons of XXXX GOLD and would be sold at major liquor outlets across the state from March and throughout the Games.

“We are really excited to be brewing XXXX GOLD in these special cans and create something nostalgic for Queenslanders,” she said.

“The commemorative cans are a nod to our longstanding support of the Games and the Australian team.

“Sport brings us together and helps us celebrate the best of being Australian, something we hope the commemorative cans will also achieve.”

The Bulletin has previously campaigned for a special brew similar to the one created for the 1982 Games.

The 1982 beer cans. Photo by Richard Gosling

Brisbane’s 1982 XXXX brew was regarded as one of the strongest and best ever limited-edition beers.

At six per cent alcohol content, the Games special beer was almost twice your mid-strength beer.

The fascination in the Games was sparked by the discovery of a crusty old 1982 Games can during earthworks for the new aquatic centre at Southport, made an astonishing discovery.

Workers scooped it up and later sent to the desk of GOLDOC communication and media manager Tamara Morris where it joined an expanding range of mementos.

Originally published as XXXX Gold Coast Commweath Games beer goes retro with a wink to the 1982 event in Brisbane