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 the Funk 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.