‘I’m up against some big boys, but I’ll take anyone on’: Rugby league great Mark ‘Spudd’ Carroll on his new challenge

They said it couldn’t be done because it sounded too much like an American beer giant but former rugby league player Mark Carroll didn’t listen.

For years, rugby league great Mark “Spudd” Carroll thought it would be funny to have a beer called Spudd Wiser.

People told the former Panthers, Rabbitohs and Manly player there was no way that would fly. It was too close to the American beer, Budweiser.

However Carroll, 57, was up for the challenge.

“I got it made,” he said. “Everyone said, ‘Spudd, you won’t be able to get it trademarked’ but the thing is, maybe I’m too smart. Wiser is spelt different. It’s two words. Two D’s.”

Mark "Spudd" Carroll with his new beer called "Spudd Wiser" at his gym in Sydney. Picture: Ryan Osland

Carroll, who has been retired from the game for 25 years, first got the nickname because of the amount of potatoes he would eat. And the spelling was courtesy of not being able to get “Spud” on number plates.

The name has stuck. It’s the name of his gym, which he’s been running for 20-years next year on Crown Street in the CBD. And the branding is courtesy of actor Russell Crowe, who Carroll trained on the film Cinderella Man.

On the decision to make a beer, Carroll said he “wanted a challenge.” It’s also helped him take his mind of his treatment of CTE.

He proudly declare the beer is a premium ale and nothing like the craft beers that are currently very popular.

“Don’t get me going about craft beer. You know when they say it tastes like passionfruit? Well go and buy a passionfruit,” he said.

The goal is to get the beer on tap at pubs around the city, no mean feat for a small brewery.

Mark Carroll playing against Canberra in 1995.

“CUB and Lions. They are first grade. I’m in Under 23s trying to work my way up. They have money,” he said.

“I know I’m up against some big boys, but I’ll take anyone on. I’ve done it rugby league and I’ll do it the beer fraternity as well.”

Carroll is the latest in a line of sporting stars that have stepped into the alcohol market. Penrith star Nathan Cleary is linked with Drink West while Josh and Brett Morris and Trent Hodkinson developed Cattleman’s Lager.

While the focus at the moment is solely on the beer, Carroll did joke that he would love to make a Spudd-ka.

“I want to make a Vodka. And I didn’t realise potatoes make vodka. So it works.”