Tablelands: New craft brewery at Atherton

A plant ecologist’s hobby, cultivated in a garage over two decades, has led to the opening of a trendy, new craft brewery. CHECK IT OUT

BILLYCART Brewing has opened in Atherton, bringing fresh craft beer to the region producing 1000-litre weekly batches.

Owned by Atherton locals Matt Bradford and Margaret Barker, it is open from Thursday to Sunday from noon to 8pm.

Mr Bradford said he had been brewing for decades and set up a small brewery in his garage 20 years ago. Mr Bradford was recently awarded champion Queensland and Australian amateur brewer, and he is an internationally accredited beer judge.

Atherton locals Matt Bradford and Margaret Barker have opened BillyCart Brewery. Picture: Supplied.

Mr Bradford was originally a plant ecologist and Ms Barker was a soil scientist, but the pair decided to follow their passion for craft beer and brewing.

“Our vision is to provide a community space and event hub where locals and tourists are welcomed and feel comfortable – we also want to bring fresh craft beer to regional areas and add to the great quality beer already produced in Far North Queensland,” Mr Bradford said.

Matt Bradford and Margaret Barker chat with staff at BillyCart Brewery at Atherton. Picture: Supplied.

“We are serving beer metres from where it is crafted, we believe that the best beers are the freshest beers and we aim to turn batches over regularly,” he said.

The Billycart range includes regular favourites such as mid-strength lager, pilsner, amber ale and XPA, as well as seasonal surprises.

The brewery is at 65 Tolga Rd, Atherton.

Originally published as Tablelands: New craft brewery at Atherton