Matilda Bay Bitter ‘Fresh from the Bay’ Poster

The Matilda Bay Brewery was the first of the modern-day boutique pub-breweries to operate in Australia. Completely independent of the long-established and powerful breweries, including the Swan Brewery in Perth, the new company was the pioneer in introduc­ing a new range of specialty beers and old-style English ales.

The promoter of this profoundly courageous venture was Philip Sexton, a young man who had worked for years at the Swan Brewery, and had been involved in developing the highly successful Swan Special Light. In 1983 he left Swan and completed a master’s degree in biochemistry in Britain, specialising in the fermentation of beer.

Returning to Fremantle, Sexton began to shape his vision of an up-market hotel brewery into reality.
A company was formed in October 1983 as Dallenton Pty Ltd, changing to Brewtech Pty Ltd, and then Brew­tech Ltd in December 1987.

On 20 October 1988 the company was listed on the Australian Stock Exchange, and CUB acquired a shareholding. This ultimately led to the takeover and total control of the Matilda Bay Brewing Co. Ltd and its operations by CUB in April 1990.

After the takeover by CUB the new owners wanted to tackle the Mid-strength market which had grown to such an extent it was taking over the full-strength market. They used a two prong brand launch with Fremantle Bitter and a CUB branded Carlton Midstrength. At the same time relaunching full strength  Matilda Bay Bitter Beer.