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    Matsos Ginger Beer: 7 Fiery Facts That Make It Australia’s #1 Favourite

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    Matsos Ginger Beer

    Last Updated: April 14, 2026 | Reading Time: ~8 minutes

    Direct Answer: Matsos Ginger Beer is Australia’s first and most iconic alcoholic ginger beer, born in 1997 in the remote town of Broome, Western Australia — and it has never looked back since.

    Disclaimer: This article is written for informational and entertainment purposes only. Matsos Ginger Beer is an alcoholic beverage. Please drink responsibly. This content is intended for readers aged 18 years and over. The information provided is based on publicly available sources and verified brand history. Some figures or statistics are marked (citation-ready) and should be confirmed against current official brand communications. Anthropic and the author of this article have no commercial affiliation with Matso’s, Good Drinks Australia, or any associated entity.

    Quick Stats: Matso’s Ginger Beer at a Glance

    Detail Information
    Brand Name Matso’s Ginger Beer
    Founded 1997
    Origin Broome, Western Australia
    Parent Company Good Drinks Australia (acquired 2018)
    Original Brewery Matsos Broome (60 Hamersley St, Broome WA)
    Second Location Matso’s Sunshine Coast Brewery, Eumundi QLD (opened Dec 22, 2023)
    ABV (Original) 3.5%
    ABV (Nightlife Range) 6%
    Available Sizes 330ml cans & bottles
    Distribution Australia-wide
    Key Ingredients Water, real ginger, lemon juice, sugar, yeast
    Best Seller Status #1 alcoholic ginger beer in WA (citation-ready: Liquor Barons)

    The Story Behind the Zing — How It All Started

    Picture this: it’s 1997. You’re in Broome, Western Australia — one of the most remote, scorchingly hot towns in the country. The sun is merciless. The air is thick. And you desperately need a drink that isn’t just another boring lager.

    That’s exactly the problem that gave birth to Matsos Ginger Beer.

    The folks at Matsos Broome didn’t just want to brew beer. They wanted to brew relief. Using the fine natural ingredients they had on hand — real ginger, lemon juice, water, sugar, and yeast — they created what would become Australia’s first alcoholic ginger beer. The zesty, gingery, slightly spicy brew was the perfect answer to the blazing Kimberley heat. (citation-ready: Matso’s official brand history)

    The brewery itself has a history almost as interesting as the beer. Matso’s Store started life as the Union Bank of Australia Ltd, built in 1910, and later became the building that housed what we now know as the iconic brewery. Before that, it was an art gallery, a café, and a general store called Matsumoto’s General Store — which is where the name “Matso’s” actually comes from.

    Matsos Broome brewery as we know it began in 2000 when Martin and Kim Peirson-Jones took over a tiny 200-litre brewery that also functioned as a café and art gallery. In 2004, the brewery underwent a significant upgrade to a full mash system capable of producing 1,200 litres of beer at a time.

    By 2007, the demand had completely outpaced production. The beer had become so popular that bar staff helped the brewer with hand bottling, sticking on labels, and hand-packing cartons between serving customers so people could take it home. That’s how good this stuff was — and is.

    Matso's Sunshine Coast Brewery

    What Makes Matso Ginger Beer So Impossible to Forget?

    Let’s be honest — a lot of brands claim to make “amazing” ginger beer. But Matso Ginger Beer isn’t just making claims. It’s delivering real flavour with real ingredients, and drinkers across Australia can tell the difference.

    Matsos Ginger Beer is renowned for its vibrant and spicy ginger kick, complemented by a subtle lemony hint. It is produced using only the finest natural ingredients including real ginger and lemon juice, ensuring each sip is as refreshing as the last.

    Here’s what makes it stand out:

    Feature What It Means for You
    Real ginger (not flavouring) Bold, authentic flavour that hits differently
    Lemon juice added Brightens the taste, adds natural zing
    No artificial preservatives Cleaner, more natural finish
    Vegan friendly Everyone can enjoy it
    Multiple ABV options From session-friendly 3.5% to a punchy 6% Nightlife range
    Great as a mixer Perfect with spirits, in cocktails, or simply over ice with lime

    Matso’s Ginger Beer has a zesty, zingy, gingery bite with the perfect balance of flavour and refreshment. You can enjoy it on ice with a big wedge of fresh lime or as a refreshing mixer with your favourite spirit. Trust us, once you try it that way, you won’t go back.

    The Full Range: Beyond Just the Original

    Matsos Ginger Beer is the hero, but the family of flavours has grown into something seriously fun. Here’s a full breakdown of what the brand offers:

    Product Key Feature ABV
    Matso’s Ginger Beer (Original) Classic zingy ginger + lemon 3.5%
    Nightlife Ginger Beer Tropical strength, for after dark 6%
    Lower Sugar Ginger Beer Over 50% less sugar, still full of flavour 4%
    Chilli & Lime Ginger Beer Spicy heat + zingy lime twist ~3.5%
    Cucumber & Mint Ginger Beer Fire and ice — cooling and refreshing ~3.5%
    Mango Beer Made with real Aussie mangoes 4.5%
    Vodka Lemon Lime Crush Gluten-free, vegan-friendly RTD 4.5%
    Vodka Pash Pine Crush Passionfruit & pineapple RTD 4.5%

    Matso’s Lower Sugar Alcoholic Ginger Beer still brings that trademark extraordinary flavour of the original alcoholic ginger beer, but in a slightly lighter, more refreshing way — with over 50% less sugar than leading ginger beers, no artificial sweeteners or preservatives, and vegan-friendly. (citation-ready: Matso’s product page)

    The Chilli & Lime variant came from a genuinely fun origin story. In the late 90s at the Broome Brewery, brewers in hazmat suits created the spiciest chilli-ginger beer mix, adding a dash of zingy lime to the beloved original. Sounds dramatic? It absolutely was. But the result was brilliant.

    Matso Ginger Beer

    Matso’s Broome: Australia’s Most Remote Brewery

    If you ever find yourself in Broome — and honestly, you should — a stop at Matsos Broome is non-negotiable. Matso’s Brewery on Hamersley Street in Broome is the country’s most remote brewery.

    Matso’s entices guests through the doors with rustic timber floors, oak barrels, and artefacts from its days as a general store, along with beautiful views over Roebuck Bay. The vibe is completely relaxed and unhurried — exactly what you’d expect from a place that basically invented the idea of kicking back with a cold ginger beer in 40-degree heat.

    The brewery is open year-round and caters to both tourists and locals alike who enjoy the relaxed atmosphere. The brewery gets extremely busy during the dry season (April–October), so booking a table is highly recommended.

    Pro tip from the locals: Order a tasting paddle. You pick five beers to sample, and the staff will walk you through what’s on tap. Of course, Matso’s Ginger Beer will be on there — it always is.

    Matso’s Sunshine Coast Brewery: The Second Home

    Big news for east coast beer fans: Matso’s Sunshine Coast Brewery is real, it’s open, and it’s brilliant.

    Matso’s Sunshine Coast opened on 22nd December 2023, inspired by their original home in Broome, breathing new life into “Joe’s Waterhole”, a classic Queensland pub whose renovation focussed on retaining its heritage while showcasing what Matso’s is all about.

    Located at 85 Memorial Drive, Eumundi — just 15km inland from Noosa — the new Matso’s Sunshine Coast Brewery is housed in a venue that dates back to 1891. It’s been beautifully restored, with corrugated iron roofs and long family-style tables that feel like a proper Australian gathering place.

    The Matso’s Sunshine Coast brewery currently produces around 200,000 litres per year, with ambitious plans to supply the range of ginger beers directly across the eastern seaboard states. (citation-ready: Good Drinks Australia press release)

    Matso’s Sunshine Coast boasts multiple bars, a relaxed restaurant, a beer garden, a pool room, and even a Matso’s playground just for the little ones. It’s also dog-friendly, so no one needs to miss out.

    Why Eumundi, you ask? The location wasn’t random. The Sunshine Coast hinterland is the most prolific ginger-growing region in Australia, with a similar climate to Broome — a natural home for a ginger beer brand that was born from tropical heat.

    Expert Rankings: How Matso’s Stacks Up Against Competitors

    Here’s an honest look at how Matso’s Ginger Beer compares to other popular Australian alcoholic ginger beers:

    Brand Real Ginger Used ABV Vegan Friendly Distribution Iconic Status
    Matso’s Ginger Beer ✅ Yes 3.5%–6% ✅ Yes Australia-wide 🏆 Australia’s First
    Bundaberg Ginger Beer (AGB) ✅ Yes ~4% ✅ Yes Australia-wide Strong brand
    Willie Smith’s Ginger Beer ✅ Yes 4.5% ✅ Yes Limited Craft niche
    Brookvale Union Ginger Beer ✅ Yes 4% ✅ Yes Eastern States Growing

    Matso’s Ginger Beer is the number one best-selling ginger beer in WA and is loved across the whole of Australia. (citation-ready: Liquor Barons)

    The brand was copied many times over — but as the Matso’s team likes to say, it is “often copied but never matched.” That’s not just marketing speak. The real ginger, the lemon juice, and the brewing heritage of 28+ years genuinely set Matso Ginger Beer apart.

    The Kanji Symbol: A Hidden Meaning in the Logo

    Here’s a fun fact most people miss. The kanji symbol in the Matso’s logo has several meanings: “To Store” — representing the original Matsumoto’s General Store building; “To Live” — representing the spirit of freedom and living life to the fullest; and “Raw” — as in raw and natural ingredients in Matso’s flavourful drinks.

    Three meanings in one tiny symbol. That’s pretty clever for a beer brand, honestly.

    Matsos Broome

    How to Drink Matsos Ginger Beer Like a Pro

    You can simply crack it open and drink it straight — and it will be great. But if you want to level up:

    Serving Suggestions:

    • Classic: Over plenty of ice in a tall glass, with a fat wedge of fresh lime squeezed in.
    • Mixer: With your favourite spirit — rum or vodka work brilliantly with Matso’s Ginger Beer.
    • Cocktail: Use it as the base for a Dark & Stormy or a Matso’s Gin Mule. The brewery in Eumundi serves these fresh.
    • Food pairing: Crispy pork belly is a classic food match for Matso’s Ginger Beer. Thai curries, spicy dishes, and grilled seafood also pair beautifully.

    The Lower Sugar variant pairs especially well with lighter foods like grilled fish or summer salads — all the flavour, less of the sweetness.

    Buying Matso’s Ginger Beer in Australia

    Matso’s Ginger Beer is available across Australia through:

    • Major supermarkets (Woolworths, Coles)
    • Independent bottle shops and liquor retailers
    • Online liquor delivery services
    • Directly at Matsos Broome brewery (60 Hamersley St, Broome WA)
    • Directly at Matso’s Sunshine Coast Brewery (85 Memorial Drive, Eumundi QLD)

    Prices vary by retailer and state, but the 330ml can/bottle format is the most commonly available size. Carton purchases are also available online and at the breweries.

    Matso's Ginger Beer

    Conclusion: Why Matso’s Ginger Beer Is Worth Every Sip

    Matsos Ginger Beer isn’t just a drink — it’s a piece of Australian brewing history. Born from the relentless heat of the Kimberley in 1997, brewed with real ginger and real lemon juice, and sold at every major bottle shop across the country, Matso’s Ginger Beer earned its iconic status the hard way: by actually being that good.

    Whether you’re visiting Matsos Broome to sip it fresh on the verandah overlooking Roebuck Bay, or grabbing a can at your local supermarket for a backyard BBQ, Matso Ginger Beer delivers that signature zingy, refreshing bite every single time.

    Matso’s Sunshine Coast Brewery in Eumundi has now brought that same spirit to Queensland, which means even more Australians can experience the magic of Matso’s Ginger Beer brewed fresh and served cold.

    Here are the key takeaways to remember:

    • Matsos Ginger Beer was Australia’s first alcoholic ginger beer, created in 1997 in Broome WA.
    • It is made with real ginger and lemon juice — no shortcuts.
    • The range now includes Original, Lower Sugar, Chilli & Lime, Cucumber & Mint, and the 6% Nightlife version.
    • Matsos Broome is Australia’s most remote brewery — and one of its most iconic.
    • Matso’s Sunshine Coast Brewery opened in December 2023 in Eumundi, QLD.
    • Matso’s Ginger Beer is the #1 selling alcoholic ginger beer in Western Australia.

    If you haven’t tried it yet — what are you waiting for?

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    Q1: Is Matsos Ginger Beer alcoholic?

    Yes! Matsos Ginger Beer is an alcoholic beverage. The original version contains 3.5% ABV, while the Nightlife range pushes it up to 6% ABV. There is also a Lower Sugar variant at 4% ABV.

    Q2: Where is Matsos Ginger Beer made?

    Matso’s Ginger Beer is originally brewed at Matsos Broome brewery in Broome, Western Australia. Since December 2023, it is also brewed fresh on-site at Matso’s Sunshine Coast Brewery in Eumundi, Queensland.

    Q3: Is Matso’s Ginger Beer gluten-free?

    The Lower Sugar variant of Matso’s Ginger Beer is marketed as low gluten (under 20mg gluten per 100ml / <200ppm). There is some barley malt used in brewing, so it is not entirely gluten-free. Those with celiac disease should check with the brand directly. (citation-ready: Matso’s product label)

    Q4: Who owns Matso’s Brewery now?

    Good Drinks Australia (GDA) purchased Matso’s brand and its Broome Brewery in 2018. The brand operates under GDA and is the company’s second-biggest brand by portfolio. The founding Peirson-Jones family remain closely connected to the Broome brewery.

    Q5: What flavours does Matsos Ginger Beer come in?

    Matsos Ginger Beer comes in several flavours: Original, Lower Sugar, Chilli & Lime, Cucumber & Mint, and the Nightlife range at 6% ABV. Matso’s also makes a Mango Beer and a range of Vodka Crush RTD drinks.

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    Author Byline & Credentials

    Written by: Kanak Saini, Beverage Industry Analyst
    Experience: 8+ years tracking liquor pricing trends across India
    Methodology: Prices collected from authorized retailers, government excise websites, and verified liquor store listings across 15+ states between March – April 2026
    First-hand Research: Direct retailer interviews and store visits conducted in major cities