Ales and tales – Funk Drinks Co launches new beer and search for greatest farm yarn

Since they were legally old enough to drink, brothers Martin and Dustin Michael have wanted to create a beer made entirely from their own farm produce.

It has taken 15 years of dreaming and six months of testing but now they are finally ready to share Funk Farmers Ale, a 100 per cent paddock to pint beer.

“It’s a true 100 per cent WA paddock to pint beer with all malts and water sourced from theFunk farm in Bolgart just north of Toodyay,” says co-founder and owner Martin Michael.

“With full control over the growing, malting and brewing processes, the freshness and drinkability of this beer shines like no other. It’s 99 per cent made from our farm with the only other ingredients being the hops from Margaret River Hops.

“That equates to greater quality control, more freshness and the ability to talk about the terroir in the beer, like they talk about in wine.

“So, this aspect will nearly be a world first! I haven’t been this excited in a long time about a new product.”

Like many farming families, the Michaels love to tell a good story. To mark the launch of Funk Farmers Ale, they’re on the hunt for someone with a great farm yarn to reward with a whole year of beer.

“We believe every farmer has a golden story within them, but sometimes it takes a little liquid courage to bring it out,” Martin explains.

“That’s part of the ethos behind brewing Farmers Ale – to break the ice, loosen the lips, get that chin wagging and bring those stories to the surface.

“For Funk, this beer isn’t just a product — it’s a way to connect the bush to the city and tell a bloody great story at the same time.”

Farm or country-based storytellers are encouraged to submit their best yarn by tagging @funkdrinksco and using #farmersale to enter. The 10 best yarns will be shared by Funk on its social channels for the public to vote on. The creator of the winning tale will receive 52 cases of Farmers Ale, delivered over 12 months. Full T&Cs on website.

Background:

Martin and Dustin Michael started making cold pressed juices in Caversham under the name Michael Brothers in 2012. Next, they launched preservative-free and fun brand Funk Cider.

Most recently they launched Funk Wine, which since 2024 has been entirely produced from 109-year-old vines growing at Funk Brewshed in Henley Brook. All drinks now sit under the umbrella of Funk Drinks Co.

Dustin completed a malt course in Montana, USA in 2019 and that was the start of getting serious about using what they grow.

“We grow barley and wheat on our own farm, get it locally malted by our mates at Loam Malt Studio and brew it onsite at the Funk Brewshed in the Swan Valley,” Martin says.

Funk brewer Michael O’Rourke calls it “quite possibly the freshest beer in the world.”

“We believe this is because we have full control and care over the whole process from growing to brewing and the malts are literally only a few weeks old maximum when we brew them,” Martin explains.

A longtime member of Buy West East Best, Funk Drinks Co has always been committed to supporting local growers and sourcing the best WA ingredients. Growing, using and repurposing as much of its own product was a logical next step.

“All our fruit peel is taken up to farms including our own and fed to cattle,” says Martin. “We don’t use any chemicals in our vineyard, and our farm malts are pesticide free and low in artificial fertilisers. We are also starting use our own farm’s beef, lamb and pork on the Funk Brewshed menus.”

All beers made at the Funk Brewshed are transitioning from commercial malts to using Funk’s own. While there are other breweries growing, malting and brewing, Martin says no one is doing at scale or in a capacity to wholesale.

“We will probably use up to 100 tonnes malted barley and wheat when it gets going and will be supplying large format kegs, cans et cetera to venues and bottle shops around WA.”

Funk Farmers Ale is on tap at Funk Brewshed, Moore River Brewing, Petition Beer Corner and the Bolgart Hotel. Cans are also heading to retail.