Written By Alan Good
TRAVEL - A short drive along highway 3 toward West Lorne will eventually bring you to Natterjack Brewing, but it’s not just another microbrewery. Founded in 2018 and run-on behalf of their son, Matthew, Kathy and Peter Soos look after the business, along with Dan, another son who is the master brewer.
The family operate the business as a legacy to honour Matt’s passion for the Craft Beer industry, fulfilling his dream and passion of creating uniquely flavoured quality beer. Matthew Soos attended brewery school after hearing about it on a Rick Mercer show. He quickly formed friendships and soaked up the beer making business. He even has a recipe which became a Muskoka Brewery best seller. But Matt’s life was cut short, at the age of 26, after a sudden diabetes attack.
“Matt has given us inspiration to thrive in what is now our passion,” the Soos state on their website. Graduating from the Bio-Resource Management Honours program at the University of Guelph, Matt then graduated from the Brewmaster and Brewery Operations Management program at Niagara College in 2015.
Matt devoted much of his time to hops, malt, yeast, fermentation and unique ingredients. Working
in multiple breweries in Ontario, his passion for this industry kept growing. Matt’s plan was to have
a brewery of his own one day. In August of 2015, Matt passed, leaving a shattered family to mourn
the loss of someone so young.
“Having the brewery allows us to talk about Matt,” Kathy said. Matt made an impact on everyone he met. Throughout the store signs state the same. Matt has not been forgotten. Natterjack Brewing Company supports the Matt Soos Memorial Project Brew Scholarship at Niagara College. The winner of a taste tests each year has their tuition paid. This year, an annual ride for diabetes garnered about $11K, and Natterjack supplied the refreshments.
The brewery averages 50-130 visitors per day they are open, people arriving from England, Ireland, Germany, and the US. Natterjack is number one on a map showing stopping points to Port Dover.
The Toad on their logo is from Matt. While away, he heard about a toad which has a croak that grows louder as the night goes on. His take on that? As you drink more of my beer, you might become louder.
