Craft beer companies Young Henrys, Gage Roads give sports fans more choices

With the footy finals in full swing around the country, here’s why discerning sports fans are starting to see more choices of craft beers at the big venues.

As far as life moments go, this was a pretty good one for policeman turned brewery part owner Dan Hampton.

There he was with some fellow parents at the hallowed turf of the SCG, watching his eight-year-old daughter play footy during half time at a Sydney Swans match, while drinking one of his own Young Henrys beers he’d just bought at the venue.

“We are all sitting there drinking Newtowners in the sun thinking ‘this is pretty amazing’,” he recalls with a chuckle. “We got a bit carried away to be honest – we had about five and thought ‘who’s driving? What have we done?’.”

Apart from the personal pride he felt, it was also a good indication of just how far the independent Newtown brewery had come, and more broadly of the rise and rise of craft beer in Australia.

When Young Henrys started 11 years ago, the idea that craft beers could sit alongside the major players in big sporting venues around the country seemed fanciful but now their most popular product, the Newtowner Pale Ale, is available both at the SCG and the newly revamped Allianz stadium.

Oscar McMahon, Richard Adamson and Dan Hampton from Young Henrys brewery in Newtown.

They are not alone either, on the other side of the country Fremantle’s Gage Roads, one of the country’s biggest independent brewers, has just extended their exclusive pouring rights at Perth’s Optus Stadium.

Hampton, who is Director and Head of Sales at Young Henrys, says it’s a reflection of what’s happening more broadly for drinkers and following in the steps of sporting venues in the US, where it’s common for independent craft breweries to have their own stands.

Young Henrys is a sponsor of the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the NRL, and league fan Hampton says the footy and beer are still a very tight fit for many punters, so expanding into stadiums is all about giving them more choices and meeting.

“A lot of people when they go to the footy, they want to drink a beer,” he says. “It’s still one of those traditions and I am exactly the same. If I go to a restaurant, I would probably drink wine, but if I go to the footy, I want to drink beer.”

Dan Moraday from Gage Roads agrees, adding that many drinkers are much more adventurous and selective, buying for specific occasions rather than in bulk, and that experience has extended to their stadium offerings.

“In the stadium world, if people are given the choice of up to four or five brands on tap, at least 70 per cent of people are choosing to trial craft beer rather than the standard lager,” Moraday says.

“There is a massive consumer trend towards craft and premium products and we are seeing that sort of expectation in the stadium world.

Footy fans have more beer choices than ever at stadiums. Picture: Image/Brendon Thorne

“Gone are the days where you just have the standard lager or draught that’s available – there are so many options out in the retail world and that trend is following in the stadium space too with craft beers and pale ales and summer ales.”

That said, brewers are careful about which of their beers they put in stadiums, opting for lighter, more sessionable styles such as the Newtowner and Gage Road’s top-selling Single Fin Lager, rather than heavier IPAs or crazy sours. And given the higher prices at stadiums, drinkers tend to opt for their better known brands rather than taking a chance on something new.

Hampton says for those footy grand final parties that can stretch on for hours, mid-strength beers such as his Young Henrys aptly named Stayer can be a good option.

“I always have a few Stayers in the fridge,” he says. “We do a big full-flavoured mid-strength and I am on the wrong side of 40 now so I need to reach for a mid-strength every now and then. If I am watching a whole day on grand final day I will be having the Stayer mid-strength for sure.”

GAME ON: BEST BEERS FOR BACKYARD BBQ

With footy finals in full swing, the Smart Craft Beer Club’s resident expert Michael Taberner picks the best beers for your backyard barbie.

Young Henrys Newtowner Pale Ale

Young Henrys Newtowner Pale Ale

The brewery’s biggest seller, a stalwart in Sydney’s craft beer line-up, readily available and incredibly approachable, this is hard to go past when the footy kicks off. Being an Australian style pale it’s not too bitter or hoppy. A fuller body than some pales, it’s also a little tropical thanks to the Galaxy hops. Pairs well with your schnitzel or pie.

Green Beacon 3 Bolt Pale

A Queensland staple perfect for Spring BBQ weather thanks to the delicate malt and hops balance. Stone fruit, pine needle and passionfruit aromas come through, with a clean crisp finish that rolls off the tongue. This comes highly recommended for home made burgers that have a slathering of relish and bacon.

Green Beacon 3 Bolt Pale.

Moon Dog Dip Hop Opotamus Dip Hopped Cold IPA

Moon Dog Dip Hop Opotamus Dip Hopped Cold IPA

The Victorian craft kings are back at it with a punny beer name, and this delivers on more than one front. A cold IPA, a very new style of craft beer, are beers that have a big hop aroma, more on the bitter side but have a clean and crisp finish. Hints of mandarin and melon, there’s a depth of flavour that can only be described as fruity, ripe and crisp all at the same time. Get the salty snacks ready, and crack open this 440ml 6.5% beast at the start of play, continue to sip until the siren marks full time.

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