4 Pines Pink Beer to debut at 16th McGrath Foundation Pink Test

Cricket fans dressed in pink will pour into the Sydney Cricket Ground today for the 16th McGrath Foundation Pink Test — and for the first time they will be able to enjoy a pink beer.

Thousands of cricket fans dressed in pink are expected to pour into the Sydney Cricket Ground today (Friday) for the 16th McGrath Foundation Pink Test, where they can also enjoy a Pink Beer.

As a proud partner of the McGrath Foundation, 4 Pines Brewing has put a “distinctive rose-coloured twist” on its “4 Pines Pink Beer”.

The special-edition drink will be available for spectators at the SCG, and at pubs and bars around Sydney including Solotel venues, the Paddo Inn at Paddington and The Clock at Surry Hills.

As well, 4 Pines will be donating $20,000 to the McGrath Foundation to fund 250 McGrath Breast Care Nurses across Australia by 2025.

McGrath Foundation chief executive officer Holly Masters said the “phenomenal support from the community and partners like 4 Pines” ensured more McGrath Breast Care Nurses can help communities across Australia.

Jennifer Schweser, Victoria Day and Tom Burns try the Pink Beer specially brewed for Pink Day at the Sydney Test against Pakistan. Picture: Richard Dobson

4 Pines Brewing’s Sarah Turner said she “admires the work of the foundation ... many of us know someone, be it friend or family member, who has experienced breast cancer”.

“We were incredibly excited when the opportunity to support the McGrath Foundation presented itself again this year.”

Kirribilli’s Victoria Day said the beer was “really pretty” and tasted “pretty fresh”.

“I have not had anything quite like this, something that stands out in the glass,” she said.

“It’s really nice to see the McGrath Foundation celebrated. They do very important work, supporting women going through a really hard time.

“This beer is another nice way to highlight the great work they do.”

TICKLED PINK TO SUPPORT BREAST CARE NURSES

For Di Head, watching her nephew, cricketer Travis Head, play on day three of the Pink Test is full of emotion.

After being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018, watching the game against Pakistan is not just about supporting family, but also the McGrath Foundation breast care nurse who helped save her life.

Coming from the small town of Whyalla in regional South Australia, Ms Head already knew local breast care nurse Kate Croll when she rushed to her office after discovering a lump on her right breast was actually stage 2 cancer.

Di Head with her breast care nurse Kate Kroll. Picture: Tom Parrish

“Kate made me an appointment with a breast surgeon at 10 o’clock the very next morning in Adelaide,” Ms Head said.

“I was in shock and I just knew I needed to talk to Kate because I knew she would be able to help me navigate everything … she was my guiding light from there on.”

Ms Head’s sister was diagnosed with ovarian cancer just two weeks before, but she did not have access to the same support.

“Her journey was cut short and we lost her along the way,” Ms Head said.

Ms Croll said she hoped in the future that patients with cancers such as ovarian would see similar support.

“The McGrath Foundation has done such a fabulous job … hopefully we will eventually see something like this for other types of cancer,” she said.

Ms Head is now cancer free and is thrilled to attend the Pink Test.

In the lead-up to the 2019 Test, her whole family chipped in to bid for Travis’s baggy pink at auction and surprised his aunt with it.

“It still takes pride of place in my loungeroom,” she said.