Beer towers now available at Melbourne stadium

FORGET a pot or a pint, footy fans can now order a whopping two litres of booze in one go after this Melbourne stadium’s move to tap into the craft beer craze.

Katherine Kyriazis and Shaun Jarvie check out the new offering at Etihad Stadium. Picture: David Caird

FORGET a pot or a pint, footy fans can now order a whopping two litres of beer in one go at AFL-owned Etihad Stadium.

“Beer towers’’ holding about five standard drinks are the latest fan-friendly initiative to be rolled out to enhance the spectator experience.

Fans cannot take the tubes to their seats but can watch the footy while pouring their own beers from the plastic cylinders packed with ice to keep the precious amber fluid cold.

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Amanda Pozzobon pours her own glass of beer from the beer tower. Picture: David Caird

It is part of a new food and beverage push at Etihad Stadium with a food truck park and craft beer bar set-up on match days and open to the public for lunch and dinner on Fridays.

Tapping in to an Aussie craft beer craze that has seen a 14 per cent rise in consumption of premium brews in the past three years, permanent open-air bar Garden Gate has been unveiled at the stadium.

Stadium chief executive Michael Green said the food trucks and beer garden gave fans the kind of “premium street food offering Melbourne prides itself on”.

“Etihad Stadium is embracing the fact the dining trend of shared plates and experiences are gaining in popularity and the beer towers are a prefect addition to Garden Gate,’’ he said. “It’s great to see groups of friends getting together and enjoying the beer towers.”

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The beer tower, designed by a Melbourne company, cost between $30 for a serve of Carlton Draught and $48 for Goose Island IPA.

Cider, ginger beer and craft brews such as Fat Yak, Four Pines Kolsch and McCrackens are also served in the towers insulated by polycarbonate and packed with “chill sticks’’ to keep drinks cold for up to four hours.

The food truck park boasts 20 different vendors on rotation including Bigger Than Texas and Real O.G. Burgers, a full drinks menu featuring handcrafted cocktails, craft beers and a long wine list.

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