Mata / Aotearoa: About

From the Mata website:

We are a family run business. Our Managing Director and Head Brewer is Tammy Viitakangas who is passionate about brewing Kiwi beers with unique New Zealand flavours along with the rest of the team being her mum and dad and Uncle Esko.

Our award winning micro-brewed Mata beers are handcrafted in a boutique brewery in Kawerau, Eastern Bay of Plenty, New Zealand. A place that is surrounded by stunning ranges, vast forestry and abundant lakes, rivers and the renowned Tarawera Falls.

We hope you approve of our “new look” labels. We were delighted to win best packaging award at the BrewNZ Awards 2010 along with ever more award winning medals for our increasing beer range. 

Mata's Range of Beers: 

Mata Artesian - 5% ABV - Mata Artesian is a German style Kolsch with a Kiwi twist. This beer is a crisp and refreshing light bodied lager, with medium bitterness, gentle carbonation and delicate malt flavour. This beer named after the source of water all MATA beers are brewed with.

Food Match Idea:
Well suited to red meat, chicken, pork or fish, particularly smoky or spicy dishes. Would be difficult to find a better partner with delicate fish as Mata Artesian will not overpower. Is terrific with all salad combinations too.

Mata Feijoa - 4.5% ABV (Seasonal beer) - Mata Feijoa is a palate cleansing, zesty fruit beer that bursts with the unique and distinctive taste and aromas of fresh NZ grown Feijoas. Relax and quench your thirst with this very refreshing champagne of beers.

Food Match Idea:
Makes a great aperitif. Mata Feijoa will compliment your favourite soft creamy cheese and crackers or antipasto. Good with prawns or pizza too. Yummy with banana cake and fresh cream!

Mata Brown Boy – Amber Ale 5% ABV - Mata Brown Boy is a luscious full flavoured amber ale that pours a striking reddish brown. The specialty 4 malt blend brings caramel, toffee-like, malty characteristics balanced by refreshing hop flavour and aroma, medium bitterness, and a dash of pepper from NZ's indigenous horopito. Kiwi magic!

Food Match Idea:
A great addition to the typical Kiwi barbeque or roast. Beef, chicken & lamb all work well with this beer. Also great with burgers, pizza and really spicy meals such as Mexican or Thai. Good too with mature cheddar cheese.

Mata Blondie - Belgian Wit 5% ABV - Mata Blondie is a refreshing, cloudy Belgian style wheat beer brewed with a specially selected Belgian yeast strain. Mouth-watering aromas and flavours of coriander and citrus are evident and traditional to style along with a secret indigenous NZ spice.

Food Match Idea:
A fantastic match with your favourite bowl of mussels. Great with salads, sushi and sashimi, any fish, omelettes, bacon and eggs or grilled open sandwiches with smoked salmon.

Mata Black Bru - Dark Ale 5% ABV (Seasonal beer) Mata Black Bru pours a rich creamy head settling to black with a deep red hue. This very drinkable Irish style stout is full of alluring flavours and aromas of coffee, chocolate and roasted barley which linger with every mouthful.

Food Match Idea
Lace your hearty beef stew with Mata Black Bru, then enjoy one with your meal. If in the mood for your favourite slice of chocolate cake or dessert this beer will make a perfect match.

Mata Taniwha - 7.0% ABV (Limited Release) - A hangi pit (a New Zealand style earth oven) is filled with malted barley, sweet kumara and potatoes to enhance the flavours and aroma of a hangi before brewing this beer. Mata Taniwha is a silky smooth full bodied malty ale infused with smoky, earthy, barbeque notes and whiskey like character.

Food Match Idea:
Try with a hangi meal, ham, dried meats, hamburgers, barbeque flavoured crackers or snacks, stilton or mature blue cheese, earthy dark chocolate.