Local Legends on Tap

Meet the makers behind the region’s most-loved beers.

September is Food & Wine Month across the region - and while Mudgee is world-renowned for its wines, there’s also something brewing beneath the surface.

With craft beer now an essential part of the local flavour scene, we sat down with two of the region’s most passionate brewers: Matt Foulsham, Owner and Brewer at Mudgee Brewing Co, and Jono Beazley, Head Brewer at Three Tails Brewery.

From creative inspiration to their best-loved beers, we tapped into their stories to learn more about what makes Mudgee’s beer scene so legendary.

What inspired you to start brewing?
Matt: I was looking for something more hands-on and creative, so I started homebrewing as a hobby. That hobby quickly became a passion. After volunteering at a few breweries and completing formal brewing studies, I decided to turn it into a full-time career.

Jono: I started brewing because I couldn’t find the styles I wanted to drink - so I made them myself. Helping out at a mate’s craft brewery sparked a love for the mix of science, art and creativity. Seven years on, it’s still just as fun and challenging.

Tell us about your brewery.
Matt: Mudgee Brewing Co. has been a part of Mudgee since 2007, but I took over in 2021. We’re based in a beautiful old wool store in the heart of town, and I’ve focused on creating a welcoming space that brings people together over great beer, food and music.

Jono: Three Tails Brewery opened in 2020 in Mudgee’s old post office - a space full of charm and character. It’s been growing ever since, with a brewery, smokehouse and one of the best beer gardens in town.

What’s your most iconic beer?
Matt: Definitely the Mudgee Mud, our bold Imperial Stout. The name comes from a historic local lager, but we gave it new life with a rich, chocolatey stout that’s become a fan favourite.

Jono: Our Lewis St Lager is hands-down our crowd favourite - crisp, easy-drinking, and made for Mudgee summers. Others like our Mudgee Mocha Stout, 3 Little Pigs Pale Ale and Big Bad Wolf IPA also have strong local followings.
What do you love most about brewing?
Matt: Seeing people enjoy our beer - especially when they find a new favourite. I also love the creative side of recipe development and experimenting with new ingredients.

Jono: The experimentation. Our small batch system lets us try bold new ideas, whether it’s native ingredients, coffee, or cocoa collaborations. But really, the best part is sharing great beer with people - it’s all about community.

How does your beer support the local scene?
Matt: We complement Mudgee’s food and wine culture with a great local beer offering. We use local ingredients where we can, support live music, and create a relaxed venue for locals and tourists alike.

Jono: We collaborate with local producers - from coffee and chocolate to winemakers and native ingredients. It’s about celebrating what Mudgee does best and adding new flavours to the mix.

What’s coming up this Spring?
Matt: We’ve got some fresh, seasonal beers on the way, a new Spring-inspired menu, and some venue upgrades in the pipeline.

Jono: New releases include IPAs, a red ale, a Pacific ale and some Oktoberfest brews. We’ll also be at local festivals.

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VISIT THE BREWERIES

Mudgee Brewing Co.
4 Church Street, Mudgee
mudgeebrewing.com.au

Three Tails Brewery
13A Lewis Street, Mudgee
threetailsbrewery.com.au