Matso’s Broome Brewery director Justin Wiebrecht and head brewer Marcus Muller. Below: Some of the products from Matso’s Brewery.
Camera IconMatso’s Broome Brewery director Justin Wiebrecht and head brewer Marcus Muller. Below: Some of the products from Matso’s Brewery. Credit: Supplied/Andrew Ritchie, Andrew Ritchie www.communitypix.com.au d425887

Breakthrough brewing

Staff ReporterWestern Suburbs Weekly

Owner Justin Wiebrecht said the Broome-based brewing company used its locals as guinea pigs before brewing and bottling its signature beers in Palmyra for distribution around WA, Australia and now the world.

Mr Wiebrecht said they had another six countries across Europe ready to go.

The journey started in 1997 when Justin’s parents-in-law Martin and Kim Peirson-Jones bought an established brewery, cafe and art gallery at the Matso’s site.

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Three years later, Justin and his wife Dannielle Hart took over so Martin and Kim could concentrate on the family’s other businesses, including the Kimberley Hotel, Hotel Kununurra and the Berkeley River Lodge.

‘When we first took over we used to brew 10,000l in Broome, now we brew 100,000l,’ Mr Wiebrecht said.

‘In terms of cartons, in 2007 we did 10,000 cases and this year we finished with 300,000.’

Matso’s brewer of nearly five years Marcus Muller said the pale ale was his favourite after working on it for 12 months.

The German national who moved to Broome with his wife and two children said he prepared brews for several events each year, including the Perth Royal Show, Chilli Festival, Melbourne International Beer Awards and the Good Food and Wine Show.

He started brewing beer in Germany 23 years ago and said the profession was more about passion and talent in Australia rather than a graduate certificate.

Mr Wiebrecht said the pale ale was also his favourite because it was something he and his cricket mates could drink easily.

Matso’s won a gold medal for its chilli beer at last year’s Perth Royal Show and will be represented by Broome resident and family friend Paul Adair in the guest town exhibition at the show.