In 1983 Phil Sexton, together with Garry Gosatti, John Tollis and Ron Groves, formed Brewtech Pty Ltd to brew commercial boutique beers. Due to lack of support from Perth Hotels the company purchased and renovated the Freemasons Hotel on the corner of South Terrace and Henderson Street, Fremantle. The hotel was renovated, a micro brewery installed and renamed the Sail and Anchor, under the banner of Anchor Brewing Company. The first beer, Anchor Ale, "a dark, copper-coloured, traditional ale", was produced in late 1984. In 1985 Brewtech opened their second venue, The Brewery Alehouse on Stirling Highway in Nedlands. The Company also established a second micro brewery at 31 Carrington Street in Nedlands, which housed the Matilda Bay Brewing Company and began producing beers in 1985. In 1986 the company launched its first wheat beer, Redback, which went on to be one of the company's best commercial successes. In 1987 Brewtech Pty Ltd changed their name to Brewtech Limited, following which they made the decision to consolidate their business under the Matilda Bay Brewing Company banner. The Company purchased another three outlets in Perth. In 1988 Carlton & United Breweries purchased a 20% shareholding in the Matilda Bay Brewing Company, which led to the company in 1989 purchasing larger premises, the former Ford Motor Company building, on Stirling Highway in North Fremantle to brew their beers. In 1990, Elders IXL renamed the Foster's Group purchased the Matilda Bay Brewing Company, in a deal that valued Matilda Bay at more than A$50m. Carlton & United then sold the Sail and Anchor Hotel to the Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group, a subsidiary of Woolworths Limited, who subsequently closed the micro-brewery operations at the hotel. In 2000 the original brewers of Matilda Bay opened the Little Creatures microbrewery in Fremantle. In 2005, the Matilda Bay Garage Brewery began operating in South Dandenong, Victoria in an effort to brew small batches of more experimental beers, such as Alpha Pale Ale and Dogbolter, Crema, Barking Duck and Rooftop Red Lager. In June 2007 Fosters announced the Perth-based brewery would close in September and its beer production would be moved to its other breweries to improve cost and capital efficiency, with most of the larger volume production beers, such as Redback, Beez Neez, Fat Yak and Bohemian Pilsner being moved to the Cascade Brewery in Hobart. In 2012 the company opened the Matilda Bay Brewery Bar in the former Cadbury factory building in Port Melbourne, relocating the brewery operations from Dandenong.
Redback, a German style hefeweizen or wheat beer, named after the infamous Australian spider. Originally released in 1986 as a seasonal beer called Summer Wheat, it was renamed in 1987 and released nationwide. In 1993 it was awarded grand champion at the Australian International Beer Awards.
Bohemian Pilsner, an award-winning Czech-style pilsner.
Beez Neez, a specialty honey-infused wheat beer. Often changes yearly due to honey supplies and varieties available.
Brewers' Reserve Alpha Pale Ale, an American style Pale Ale.
Brewers' Reserve Dogbolter, a dark lager.
MB21, a strong, dark, unfiltered wheat beer. MB21 is not available for sale, or public ownership. Bottle size is 750ml, with a directly printed label design and a large, heavy red wax seal. At last count, all production units of MB21 were accounted for.
Fat Yak, an American style pale ale.
Wild Yak, Pacific Ale. Subtle aromas of melon and passionfruit, the flavours in this south seas yak sing out like a forest full of parakeets. New world hops nestle together to deliver a unique and refreshing island brew.
Matilda Bay I.G.P. , a cloudy Australian pale ale.
Minimum Chips Handcut Golden Lager, a golden lager, using pale and crystal malts and producing a mild malty palate
The Ducks, an Australian pale ale known for its fruity aromas and clean finish.
