Australian craft beer royalty Matilda Bay will throw open the doors to its new pub-brewery in the Yarra Valley on Boxing Day, led by the returning founder, Phil Sexton.
Sexton began Matilda Bay 35 years ago, partnering with Carlton & United Breweries to reinvigorate the country’s artisan beer market. In October came announcement he would be returning to his former label and stomping ground.
A complete internal renovation has been undertaken at the old Giant Steps cellar at Healesville, 65 kilometres north-east of Melbourne, where Sexton resides.
It will welcome the public through the doors next week with the ambitious aim to “establish itself as the home of the finest craft beers in the state”.
The new brewery is getting its finishing touches, and new Matilda Bay brews will begin flowing by mid-January. Customers will be able to sample new batches as they are freshly made. In the meantime, the pub’s taps will serve a dozen selected Australian craft beers.
The new business will employ 40 people once in full operation, and counts some pedigree and familiar faces. Sexton’s son Harry will join the brewing team, alongside Drew Parker, returning for his second stint with Matilda Bay, and Will Goodyear, who holds family ties with the Sextons all the way back to Youngs Brewery London, which was first imported to Australia by Matilda Bay.
David Himmelfarb will bring his pub and hospitality experience to the pub operation, which will pour a range of selected wines, ciders and beers, while head chef Ben Ledingham will showcase the best of Yarra Valley produce, including cheeses, meats, olives, vegetables and trout.
Sustainability has been a major consideration of the new project. An array of solar panels will supply the power, and all waste is to be recycled. Beers made onsite will be brewed using pristine Healesville water.
Phil Sexton is an acclaimed brewer and winemaker. After Matilda Bay, he founded Little Creatures Brewing in Perth, and launched wineries Giant Steps, Innocent Bystander and Devil’s Lair. His return heralds yet another new evolution.
“I have been looking forward to revisiting my craft brewing roots through tackling unfinished business with Matilda Bay,’’ he says.
