Two South Australian icons have joined forces to give one of the state’s most beloved bakery treats a very boozy makeover.
Pirate Life Brewing has teamed up with Vili’s Family Bakery to create a limited-release Vanilla Slice Specialty Ale, inspired by the classic pastry that has been a fixture in South Australian bakeries for decades.
The keg-only release is pouring now at Pirate Life’s Port Adelaide brewery, with the beer also hitting The District at SkyCity.
Brewed on Pirate Life’s 500-litre District kit, the 6.5 per cent ABV specialty ale takes inspiration from the flavours and textures of a traditional vanilla slice.
A blend of malted barley, oats and wheat gives the beer a rich toffee hue and plenty of biscuity notes, designed to echo the pastry base.
Post-fermentation additions of vanilla and coconut bring a creamy sweetness to the brew, while a subtle hit of candied passionfruit rounds things out.
It’s essentially a slice of Vili’s, just poured into a pint glass.
The limited-edition beer is only available on tap, meaning you won’t find it sitting in cans or bottles at your local bottle shop. And once the kegs run dry, that’s it.
The collaboration brings together two brands with deep South Australian roots.
Vili’s has been baking in Adelaide since 1968, growing from a small family bakery into one of the state’s best-known food brands.
Pirate Life began its own South Australian story in 2014, when Perth brewers Jack Cameron and Jared ‘Red’ Proudfoot made the journey across the Nullarbor to set up a new brewery in Hindmarsh.
The brewery has continued to embrace collaborations over the years, working with everyone from Hilltop Hoods and Ballast Point to St Agnes Distillery, Tasting Australia and sporting organisations.
Now, one of its latest collaborations has swapped the usual hops-and-malt inspiration for something a little closer to home, the humble vanilla slice. So if you’re a fan of both Vili’s and Pirate Life, this one might be worth getting in quick for.
Pirate Life x Vili’s Vanilla Slice
Where: Pouring Pirate Life Port Adelaide and The District at SkyCity
For more information, click here.
