New home Old school

If we had a spirit animal, it would be the powerful owl that lives deep in the Yarra Valley’s old growth forest. We’re older. Wiser. And have the patience to let nature take its course. Our aim is to always create beautiful beer, in our own styles. To do that, we’re going old school with a contemporary twist. Find out about our brewing philosophy and range below.

FOLLOWING IN NO ONE'S FOOTSTEPS SINCE 1983

Our brewing purpose can be summed up in one sentence - the pursuit of balance. Over the past 40 years we have graduated more than our fair share of world class brewers, and brewed nearly every style of beer. With that wisdom and experience comes the conviction to do things our own way. You won't see us chasing down the latest trends: instead expect from us innovative takes on classic beer styles. We’ll be re-mastering our greatest hits - beers that were brewed to stand the test of time - and creating future classics using time honoured techniques and just four natural ingredients. Always with our own spin.

Hazy Lager

Brewing a quality lager takes time, precision and expertise. Quality ingredients and technique are brought together by the skill of the brewer to deliver a beer to savour. This time the team have delivered a Hazy Lager, unfiltered to keep the best bits in. Brewed with the finest ingredients (including rice) to bring a crisp freshness that combines with subtle hop bitterness to show you what a quality lager should really taste like.

ALC:

4.2% ABV

BU:

12

Colour:

6 EBC

Style:

MODERN LAGER

Tasting notes

  • Aroma Fresh, Floral, Fruity, Subtle.
  • Palate Characteristics of stone fruits, with hints of spicy and herbal hop notes. The subtle toasted malt flavour and aroma carries through to a crisp, refreshing finish.
  • Malt Australian Pilsner Malt, Rice and Rolled Wheat.
  • Hops Saaz, Tettnanger and Hallertau Hersbrucker.
  • Serving Best served between 2-4ºC.

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Tasting notes

Tasting notes

  • Aroma Spicy hops with fruit and malt tones
  • Palate Palate starts smooth and creamy with roasted malt and biscuit notes, next are hints of caramel, toffee and finishing with a pleasant, soft bitterness.
  • Malt English Marris Otter barley malt, Australian pale barley malt, German specialty barley malts.
  • Hops East Kent Goldings, European Styrian Goldings.
  • Water Yarra Valley mountain water.
  • Serving Best enjoyed between 4-6° C.

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Tasting notes

OWL ORIGINAL ALE

Our Owl is an original creation by the Sexton family – who spent 18 months perfecting this European Golden Ale. The Owl pours with a pale, slightly cloudy golden glow and creamy head. Aroma is malty and biscuity with underlying hints of stone fruits and dusted with fresh hop spices. Palate starts smooth and creamy with roasted malt and biscuit notes, next are hints of caramel, toffee and finishing with a pleasant, soft bitterness. What results is a beautifully balanced beer that we have spent more than 27 separate brews perfecting; a true original.

ALC:

4.2% ABV

BU:

26

Colour:

18 EBC

Style:

CLASSIC AUSTRALIAN PALE | EUROPEAN GOLDEN ALE

REDBACK

Originally released in 1987, under the name Summer Weizen, this incredibly popular but unpronounceable wheat beer was soon re-christened Redback. This rendition of Redback has been revamped for modern palates, traditional with a twist. Striking the balance between a sparkling Summer Ale and a Belgian Wheat Ale, our new Redback delivers a smoothly sessionable experience from start to finish. Aroma is floral with mandarin rind and underlying fruit, with a hint of hop spice and a slightly biscuity malt tone. Palate is creamy and soft, yet firm; balancing lovely lemon curd and ripe fruit notes to produce a well-balanced mild palate with high drinkability. Finishes bright and extremely fresh.

ALC:

4.7% ABV

BU:

18

Colour:

9 EBC

Style:

AUSTRALIAN SUMMER ALE | BELGIAN WHEAT BEER

Tasting notes

  • Aroma Floral with mandarin rind and underlying fruit, hint of hop spice and a slightly biscuity malt tone.
  • Palate Palate is creamy and soft, yet firm; balancing lovely lemon curd and ripe fruit notes to produce a well-balanced mild palate with high drinkability. Finishes bright and extremely fresh.
  • Malt Organic Australian raw wheat, German organic wheat malt, Australian pale barley malt.
  • Hops European Hersbrucker, Australian Vic Secret.
  • Serving Get it cold, best between 0-2ºC.

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Tasting notes

Tasting notes

  • Aroma Fresh pine and citrus notes with floral hints.
  • Palate Firm with malted sweetness, refreshing bitterness and a long finish.
  • Malt Premium Australian pale barley malt, English Crystal roasted barley malt.
  • Hops Australian Topaz, American Cascades.
  • Serving Best served cold, between 2-4ºC.

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Tasting notes

ALPHA PALE ALE

The idea for Alpha came after our then-brewing team visited now legendary breweries across the USA. But this American Pale Ale inspired brew is more true blue than red, white and blue. This Australian style natural Pale Ale has smashed beer competitions ever since; refocusing the craft beer world from US West Coast style hops and winter barleys, to the classics of Australia. Its nose-tickling aroma of fresh citrus and exotic spice dust is derived from fresh hops from all around the world. The palate is firm with malted sweetness, refreshing bitterness and a long finish. Your classic and original Australian Pale Ale.

ALC:

5.2% ABV

BU:

32

Colour:

25 EBC

Style:

AUSTRALIAN PALE ALE | AMERICAN PALE ALE

DOGBOLTER

First brewed by Matilda Bay in 1985, this full flavoured Dark Ale has steadily been refined over the years, to become less 'look at me' to more 'just drink me'. Its impressive dark red hue gives way to an aroma of chocolate, caramel and toast with a dusting of complex spice and pine resin from the fresh hops. Palate is deep, dark and complex, yet balanced by the silky backbone of caramel and 'ever so light' malt sweetness, all brought together by a firm hop bitterness and a dry finish.

ALC:

4.7%ABV

BU:

25

Colour:

45 EBC

Style:

DARK ALE | ALTBIER

Tasting notes

  • Aroma Chocolate, caramel and toast, with a dusting of spice
  • Palate Deep, dark and complex, balanced by the silky backbone of caramel and 'ever so light' malt sweetness, all brought together by a firm hop bitterness and dry finish.
  • Malt Australian pale barley malt, German specialty roasted barley malts.
  • Hops European Hersbrucker, Australian Enigma.
  • Serving Best served between 4-6ºC.

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Tasting notes

We don't like to brag but...

2021

Owl Original Ale wins gold at the Australian International Beer Awards, in the British & European Ale category

2020

Alpha Pale Ale wins Brewer’s Choice Best Champion Australian Beer since 2012 at the Australian International beer Awards.

2013

Alpha Pale Ale wins Champion Australian Beer at the Australasian International beer Awards.

2011

Launched our first ever cider, ‘Dirty Granny’. Wins Best Australian Cider at the Australian Cider Awards.

2011

Alpha Pale Ale wins Champion Bottled Beer at the Sydney Royal Fine Food Show.

2010

Alpha Pale Ale wins Champion Draught Beer at the Sydney Royal Fine Food Show.

2008

Alpha Pale Ale wins Champion Beer at the Royal Beer Competition.​

2008

Alpha Pale Ale wins Best Australian Ale at the Australian Hotel Beer Awards.

2008

Redback wins Champion Wheat Beer at the Australian International Beer Awards.

2008

Redback wins Best Australian Ale and Australian Wheat beer at the Australian Hotel Beer Awards.

2008

Matilda Bay Brewery wins Champion Brewery at Australasian International Beer Awards.​

2007

Barking Duck wins Bronze at the World Beer Cup in USA.

2005

Bohemian Pilsner wins Champion Lager Trophy at Australian Beer Awards.

2004

Alpha Pale Ale wins Grand Champion Beer at Australian Good Taste Beer Awards.

2003

Premium Lager wins Champion Reduced Alcohol Beer at Australian International Beer Awards, while Alpha Pale Ale wins more awards than any other beer

1993

Redback wins Grand Champion Beer at the Australian International Beer Awards.

OUR VIEW ON SUSTAINABILITY

Matilda Bay is certified carbon neutral, meaning we offset 100% of our excess carbon emissions. You can find out more about our mission by clicking below.