TIME is ticking down, Canberra Beer Week and the Beer Day Out is closing in, just one week away…but who’s counting? The Beer Day Out, emanating out of the former transport depot in Kingston on November 8 will bring together a wealth of Australia and the world’s best breweries, all under one roof, all in one setting, for one incredible afternoon. Tickets are still available but get in fast in case they do all sell out.

This week in beer has been counting down to the big day by looking at some of the different breweries set to participate. So far we’ve looked at breweries in New Zealand, as well as Australian craft beer darlings Feral Brewing, Tim Thomas’s family run Hop Dog Beer Works and Byron Bay’s very own Stone & Wood Brewery.

This week, we look at a brewery known mostly for its creativity more than anything, this week, we look at Matso’s, from Broome in Western Australia.

It’s truly great to see Matso’s appearing at the Beer Day Out. They appear to be a brewery able to transcend several different genres of beer, from quality pale ales to interesting and diverse ciders, gluten free beers and right the way to gimmicky style chilli, mango and lychee brews. However, Matso’s most famous and most highly touted brew is their gluten-free ginger beer creation, a ginger beer that has helped develop, revolutionise and become the standard bearer for all beers of this type. This 3.5% ABV is a delicious ginger beer, low on hops but amazing on a hot day (33 degrees this Saturday I might add.)

Matso’s brewery take up a very interesting segment of the craft beer market. They appear to want to be the brewery to transition people away from standard beers (and ciders) and help people on their craft beer journey. You won’t find the “beer snobs” rushing to matsos beers, their chilli, mango and lychee beers all lack the hop development these types of people crave. You will however find people wanting to try something different, new and interesting making their way to the Matsos tent and I suspect that will make it a very popular space this Saturday.

This Saturday is set to be a cracking day to say the least, but don’t forget, events around Canberra are running all week. You can check out the events by viewing the Canberra Beer Week website at www.canberrabeerweek.com.au. You can also find Matsos outstanding and unusual range of beverages at Plonk, First Choice or wherever quality liquor is sold.

Adrian Moran has been pouring beers for over nine years and runs a weekly podcast devoted to craft beer
Twitter: @ausbeerjourney
Website: www.ausbeerjourney.wordpress.com