Some of the Hunter's most famous sporting identities have founded a beer brand in the name of Newcastle's industrial moniker.
Steel City Beer Company, whose founders include Knights legends Andrew and Matthew Johns, Danny Buderus and Kurt Gidley, along with surfers Craig Anderson, Matt Hoy and Ryan Callinan, has launched its first beer - a lager dubbed Steel City.
"After a number of years of planning and development we are excited to announce the launch of Steel City - finally, a beer the people of the Hunter can call their own," the company's managing director Oliver Semken said.
"Our partnership with industry leader Lion and the godfather of Australian craft brewing Chuck Hahn puts us in a great position to make great beer and deliver it in a no-nonsense manner."
Dr Hahn added: "Newcastle has long been the epicentre of Australian manufacturing, and Steel City's founders all have a meaningful connection to this region they call home. Steel City will brew beers that are easy drinking [and] refreshing."
The full-strength lager is available on tap at The Burwood Inn, The Prince of Merewether and The Ship Inn, and in cans at bottle shops at Lambton and Wickham Bottle-O, Whitebridge Cellars, The Prince, Adamstown Celebrations and Newcastle Express Liquor.
Steel City marketing director Ryan Ginns said the beer recognised everything great about Newcastle's past.
"In today's crowded beer market Steel City is a brand more in touch with culture than craft," he said.
"It is a brand that delivers easy drinking beer, while recognising the unsung achievements of the hundreds of thousands of working-class people across the Hunter."
The company hopes to establish a local brewing presence later this year.
