PALMYRA-based company Gage Roads has slain international brewing giants and won the lucrative contract to supply beer and cider at the new Perth Stadium.

In an extraordinary coup for the craft beer business, which was formed in 2002 and has about 40 employees, Gage Roads had to prove it could supply 5000 kegs of different variety beers over a five-day period before securing the multimillion-dollar contract.

The WA firm was up against the biggest brewing corporations in the world: the Belgian headquartered owners of Carlton and United Breweries, Anheuser-Busch InBev; and the Japanese-owned Lion.

“This appointment represents a significant milestone for this truly West Australian company,” Perth Stadium chief executive Mike McKenna said.

Camera Icon Marcel Brandenburg, left, company secretary of Gage Roads Brewing Company, and national sales manager Scott Player, celebrate their company winning the beer supply contract for the new Perth stadium. Credit: PerthNow, Nic Ellis

Named after the shipping channel between Fremantle and Rottnest Island, Gage Roads is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange at 6¢ a share, compared with AB InBev, which was yesterday worth about $147 a share on the London Stock Exchange and last year enjoyed a turnover of $46 billion.

“Our vision is to see Gage Roads established as the State’s iconic beer brand,” the company’s marketing manager Scott Player said.

Premier Mark McGowan, who caused a stir in June by suggesting that only mid-strength beer should be available at the $1.4 billion stadium, including the corporate boxes, will announce the Gage Roads contract win today.

He later said the decision on whether full-strength beer would be available to the paying public would be left up to the WA Director of Liquor Licensing.

Gage Roads produces mid-strength ales and a pilsner but can also supply beers with alcohol volumes between 4.5 per cent and 6.2 per cent if permitted at the 60,000-seat stadium.

During the last financial year the company produced 11 million litres of beer and made a $2 million after tax profit.

Mr Player said winning the five-year contract ensured most of the profits would stay in WA and that local farmers and other suppliers of ingredients would also benefit.

He said the company would have to employ more people.