Passion, experience & knowledge

Matt Bradford and Margaret Barker have a passion for the beers of the world. Every holiday since they met has been to where the best beers are produced (and where the best national parks are located). They have visited hundreds of breweries around the world, including in the brewing centres of USA, NZ, UK, Belgium, Germany and Czech Republic. They also keep up to date with new breweries and trends in the Australian and New Zealand craft brewing scene.

Matt is chief brewer at Billycart Brewing Co. Matt worked as a plant ecologist with CSIRO for 30 years and was introduced to craft brewing in 2002 when four colleagues decided to try brewing beer from the basics – barley, hops and yeast. They met regularly and produced beers that always impressed. The ‘Tableland Brewers’ were formed and to this day are still actively brewing.

As Matt’s personal passion for different beer styles grew, he started entering beer competitions and in 2016 he took out Champion Amateur Brewer of Queensland. A month later he won Best Pale Ale in Australia with his Kolsch style beer. Since then, Matt has regularly placed in major brewing competitions. In 2019 he became a certified international beer judge, and regularly travels south to judge in beer competitions.

Margaret Barker is the brains behind the operation with experience in marketing and science, but her specialist skill is picking up subtle flavours and aromas in beer. Her palate has influenced the direction that many of the Billycart beers have taken.

Matt and Margaret bring this wealth of experience and passion to every beer they make at Billycart Brewing. They aim to make beers suited to the climate and tastes of north Queensland by embracing new products and technology while respecting the traditions of great beer makers of the past.