WA brands Alby lager and Mrs Mac’s join forces to launch new beer pie at 60th Western Derby

While West Coast Eagles and Fremantle Dockers fans won’t see eye-to-eye at the 60th Western Derby this Sunday, both tribes will be going for the pies.

Not the Collingwood Magpies, of course, but new slow-cooked beef and lager pies made by Mrs Mac’s using locally brewed Alby beer, which will be available at Optus Stadium this weekend.

Alby head brewer Ross Brown said “there’s no better combo” than a hot pie and cold beer.

“While brewing beer is the world’s greatest gig, creating a pie might give it a run for its money,” he said.

“The pie was a true collaboration between brewers, pie makers and a few very lucky taste testers.

“It’s rich and tasty, with that award-winning Alby flavour tying it all together,” Mr Brown added.

The launch of the Alby and Mrs Mac’s pie coincided with Gage Roads releasing the lager in new-look 375ml cans.

Made at Mrs Mac’s Morley factory, the beer pie will retail for $8.50 at stadium outlets selling Mrs Mac’s products as well as the Alby Bar and Gage Roads Bars on level 1 throughout the rest of the AFL season.

A spokesperson, who refused to reveal her sauces, said that more than three million Mrs Mac’s pies and sausage rolls have been sold at Optus Stadium since the venue opened in January 2018.

Founded in WA more than 70 years ago, Mrs Mac’s was acquired by Aus Pie Co backed by Melbourne billionaires and service station owners Avi Silver and Eddie Hirsch in November 2022.

The company recently extended its exclusive rights to supply Optus Stadium for a further three years after a competitive tender.

Aus Pie Co chief Bruce Feodoroff said the company was “delighted” to win the tender, adding that the limited-edition beer pie was a “showcase” of Mrs Mac’s “culinary innovation”.

“Mrs Mac’s has been a Western Australian institution for over 70 years, known for crafting delicious, hearty pies, sausage rolls and pasties made with premium, locally sourced ingredients and a passion for flavour,” he said.

“We use flour from the Wheatbelt region of WA and locally grown vegetables wherever possible.”

Optus Stadium head of retail food and beverage Gemma Hansen said her team’s goal was to provide new products for footy fans.

The Western Derby was an ideal opportunity to unveil the beef and lager pie, she said.

“Bringing together two loved WA brands and launching an exciting new local product at one of the State’s biggest sporting events makes perfect sense.”