AFL game-day drinks: The best themed picks for the top 8 teams

Read time 3 Mins

Posted 19 Sep 2024

By
Amelia Ball

We round up a selection of the most fitting drinks to celebrate your winning (or losing) team.

September is like Christmas for footy fans. Well, for footy fans whose team are in the finals. If you’re into the AFL and your team’s still going strong, congrats to you – it’s crunch time. No doubt you have another heart-stopping game and tense watch party ahead. In addition to throwing your team’s colours around the house and prepping the best footy snacks and drink pairings for the game, you could also theme your drinks.

Keeping the drinks local to your team’s home city or on-brand through another connection are great ways to fly the flag. The semis might already be here, but we think all top eight AFL teams deserve to be celebrated. After all, your mates are going to rope you into watching it regardless. As a result, we’ve rounded up a selection of drinks for each of these teams, from beers brewed locally to wines with a broader link. And even if your team is out, settle into these final three games with one of these drinks in hand – no emotional investment required.

The top four teams

Click image to shop

1. For Sydney Swans fans

To really show your support for this year’s minor premiers, turn to Doozy. This new premix comes from actual Swannies – gun players Will Hayward, Ollie Florent and Isaac Heeney, along with Will’s brother Harry, are behind it. The Vodka Iced Tea Lemonade with Raspberry will refresh while pouring a Swans-appropriate colour.

Not into premixes?

With the Swans also known as the Bloods, a Bloody Mary fits the bill. Mix it with Archie Rose Distilling Co. Native Botanical Vodka – this Rosebery distillery is close to their SCG home ground.

2. For Port Adelaide Power fans

There’s no better local pick for Port than Pirate Life. This Port Adelaide brewery makes a raft of brews, but for the next big clash against the Swans, keep it simple with the South Coast Pale Ale. It’s a balanced, tropical and refreshing beer that won’t steal your attention away from the game.

Prefer a wine?

With the Barossa the closest wine region to Port Adelaide, the Barossa Valley Estate Grenache Shiraz Mouvèdre is a crowd-pleasing drop to share while you all shout at the telly.

Click image to shop

3. For Geelong Cats fans

Footy finals may be nothing new for you, but it still doesn’t hurt to encourage some good juju. Do just that with the Lucky Cat Pinot Gris – it will work a treat with everything from sausage rolls to a cheese plate in front of the TV. Lively and fresh, this white wine is a winner.

Looking for a beer?

Go for the Little Creatures Pale Ale. It’s originally a WA classic, but this brewery’s adopted home of Geelong – and fresh, easy-drinking nature – makes it a prime pick.

4. For Brisbane Lions fans

After a heroic effort by the Lions, you should be throwing a major game-day party this weekend. If you’re after a brew with a little more going on than the top local choice, XXXX, seek out the Balter Eazy Hazy from the nearby Sunshine Coast. Bright and zesty, this beer should keep everyone appropriately refreshed to make it through the game.

Into mixing drinks?

Keep it in Queensland with Bundaberg Ginger Beer – serve it with ice and fresh lime to keep your cool, or set up a station for guests to mix up Moscow Mules.

Click image to shop

The other four teams

Click image to shop

5. For GWS Giants fans

Your elimination was tough to swallow, so you deserve something truly lovely to sip on. With Canberra being a second home for GWS, it’s a great excuse to reach for Clonakilla Riesling. This producer is famous for their spectacular reds, but this riesling will be an excellent match for every snack on the day, from a box of Cheezels to a curry at half-time.

6. For Western Bulldogs fans

We know you’d prefer the Doggies to be playing this weekend, but you can still fly the flag with Moon Dog. It’s all in the name, but with this brewery setting up a new home in Melbourne’s Footscray – mechanical bull and all – they also now count as local. Go for their Fizzer Juicy Summer Pash. It’s sweet, refreshing and loaded with passionfruit and mango flavours.

Click image to shop

7. For Hawthorn fans

That last game hurt, but given your first five rounds this season, we reckon there’s still plenty to celebrate. James Sicily may have hit the post on that final critical kick, but we’re giving the captain a big nod with a standout wine from Sicily in Italy. The Colpasso Nero d’Avola is a complex and intense red, and it will play nicely with the charcuterie, party pies and hot dogs served up.

8. For Carlton fans

After the season that was, you’ll want to be in good company for these games, so you’ll need a drink to share around. Yes, the Baggers are out, but you can still grab a bagnum in their honour. These 1.5-litre pouches of wine are made for a crowd, and the South Island White Mist Sauvignon Blanc is our pick here. Goat’s cheese and crudites to go with it are essential. Alternatively, you could go all out and mix up some retro blue cocktails.