Cheers to Australia's best small brewery

A FORMER Australian Army serviceman come self-taught brewer has taken out a swag of national brewing awards.

WNNERS: Moffat Beach Brewing owners Matt and Sharynne Wilson celebrate their success at the Independent Brewers Awards in Sydney. Picture: Patrick Woods

A FORMER Australian Army serviceman has become a self-taught brewer and taken out a swag of national brewing awards.

Moffat Beach Brewing Co owners Matt and Sharynne Wilson took a punt and turned their thriving cafe into a "brewpub”.

Three years later, the popular venue won the Champion Small Brewery award at the Independent Brewers Awards as well as a tray of other medals.

In Australian brewing terms, these are the Oscars.

Speaking about the beer that took out the main gong - their Social Jam mid-strength pale ale - Matt said it was incredibly humbling.

"We have a lot of day-trippers come here, I just wanted them to be able to have two of these and still be able to drive,” he said. "But more often than not you see the wives driving home.

"It still has that bit of punch, bitterness and aroma even though it's a mid-strength.

"The judges said they were blown away with how much flavour was packed in.”

Moffat Beach Brewing Co won six other awards.

Two years ago when they first entered, they came away with nothing.

The Wilsons are Moffat Beach locals. They live a stone's throw away and their kids go to the school around the corner.

They said they have grand plans to expand on their beach-side dwelling, but kept their exact ambitions close to their chest for now.

"We are thinking of something bigger, we do want another brewpub, but this is our spiritual home, we love it here so much,” she said.

"I was counting yesterday and we have around 12 beers that is our core group to rotate, then another 10 or so which are seasonal.

"It was Matt's vision to always have a brewery side here.”

He started to educate himself on what we were selling.

"He really honed his craft which has paid off.”

One of Australia's only beach-side breweries, Moffat Beach Brewing Co also offers casual dining and live music.