Rapper taps Bright Tank brewery for Drapht beer celebrating 20th anniversary of debut album, Pale Rider

Local rapper Drapht has tapped East Perth microbrewery Bright Tank to make a beer celebrating the 20th anniversary of his debut album, Pale Rider.

The special brew, Pale Lager, is an easy-drinking 4.5 per cent ABV beer designed to appeal to the hip-hopper’s many followers.

The beer’s launch at Bright Tank on August 1 coincides with Drapht, the nom de rhyme Paul Reid borrowed from WA beer Swan Draught, hitting the road for a national tour performing tracks from the 2003 release.

The jaunt includes a show at Northbridge venue Jack Rabbit Slim’s on October 28, while Drapht also plays concerts with the WA Symphony Orchestra in Karratha on September 1 and 2.

The hip-hopped brew came about after Reid visited Bright Tank for Noongar rapper Zero’s EP launch earlier this year.

At the event, he met owner Matthew Moore, a huge fan of hip-hop who grew up in the same era and had many mutual friends in the Perth music and arts community.

In fact, the album cover art of Pale Rider had already inspired some of the brewery’s can designs, according to Moore.

“We didn’t talk about a collaboration,” he says. “I said ‘I’ve been following you since your first album’. He’s carved out such an impressive career.”

Reid later called Moore out of the blue to suggest they make a beer together to mark the 20th birthday of Pale Rider and accompanying run of gigs.

The idea for a lighter German-style lager came from Reid, who has spoken about his “gut issues” and has, at times, embraced a gluten-free diet.

He also operated Highgate wholefoods eatery Solomon’s from 2013 during a three-year hiatus from music that ended with the release of ARIA Top 5 album Seven Mirrors.

Making Pale Rider was a hands-on experience for Reid, who was there for both the brewing and canning of the beer at Bright Tank.

“It was amazing to see how passionate, happy and knowledgeable those guys are,” the rapper says, adding that “relatable, tongue-in-cheek drinking anthems”, such as his 2005 track Drink Drank Drunk, have long been a part of Australian hip-hop.

Reid is grateful that he’s able to continue making music and touring. “I honestly can’t believe it’s been 20 years, but it feels great,” he says. “It’s been a crazy ride.”

More than a brewer, Moore has also launched the 6000 Records label to support local grassroots talent.

Pale Lager is Bright Tank’s second team-up with a local rap star following Bluephoria, a New England IPA brewed with rising Perth-based Tamil rapper Baby Bleu.