Pirate Life Brewing brings craft beers and tasty tucker to fans with a branded bar at RAC Arena

RAC Arena’s best-kept secret is the bar behind the stage. Since the arena opened in 2012, only BankWest customers could grab a drink or snack at this venue within the venue without battling long lines. That has changed, with Carlton & United Breweries-owned craft beer brand Pirate Life taking over the space and making it open to all comers. The Pirate Life beers, including the South Australia-based brewer’s popular South Coast Pale Ale and Hazy XPA, are on tap. RAC Arena executive chef Stuart Montgomery uses the brews in a new range of dishes sure to satisfy fans of music, comedy and basketball. There’s Hazy IPA-battered fish (cod or snapper) and chips, and juicy pulled-pork sliders made with South Coast Pale Ale. Montgomery explained that, for the latter dish, collar butt was slow-cooked overnight in reduced beer combined with chipotle, mustard and other spices before being stored in cryo-vac bags each holding 400g — enough pork for eight sliders. Two tasty sliders with chips sells for under $20 during events. Other dishes include a Greek lemon chicken burger featuring a tender grilled breast, dill ranch sauce, smoked garlic ketchup, feta cheese and coleslaw. Montgomery’s new menu features gluten-free options — most surprising are the mac ‘n’ cheese bites served with spicy buffalo and ranch dipping sauces for $18. The pasta in the bites is made by The Gluten Free Lab in Osborne Park. There’s also vegan beetroot falafel and the gluten-free corn dogs the chef says were very popular at a recent Wiggles concert. Having worked at RAC Arena for the past nine years after being head chef at award-winning seafood restaurant Mosmans, Montgomery admitted to a little frustration feeding customers who weren’t there for the food. However, he is determined to cater to everyone and satisfy fans without gouging — an increasing struggle with rising costs. Lachlan Howarth is general manager of Sneakers & Jeans, which owns Pirate Life Perth, located 300m from the arena on Murray Street. He said the brand-in-hand exercise was not only about getting beer lovers familiar with Pirate Life products but also reminding them that the brewpub was a great place to go before or after an event. Pirate Life Perth was packed during a recent concert by Byron Bay metal heroes Parkway Drive. “We love when the arena is on because it brings a crowd to the city,” Howarth said. “It’s a world-class venue with a world-class beer.” He added that the founders of Pirate Life — beer industry veteran Michael Cameron and his son Jack, plus Jared Proudfoot — are West Aussies, so the brewery was right at home in the arena. “The boys are stoked,” Howarth said. “We’re all in the game of bringing people out of their houses and entertaining them. It just goes hand in hand.”