Local indigenous brewing partnership unveils non-alcoholic native iced tea
Posted on
Canberra has a proud history of brewing. And that now includes a non-alcoholic native iced tea made with local indigenous expertise and botanicals.
In a partnership between beer producer Cypher Brewing Co and indigenous-owned business, Australian Native Bush Co, Canberrans will have plenty of opportunities to taste this innovative new product as they have been named as Major Hospitality Partners for the 2026 National Multicultural Festival.
The partnership will operate under the shared narrative “Taste of Australia, shared with the world,” aligning Cypher Brewing Co’s globally inspired beer styles, brewed locally in Canberra, with Australian Native Bush Co’s non-alcoholic native iced teas made using Australian botanicals.
The journey between the two brands began with YUMA! Native Ginger Beer – a collaboration between Cypher Brewing Co and Ngunnawal knowledge holder Richie Allan, created and launched at the 2025 National Multicultural Festival.
Matt Thiele and Richie Allan, co-founders of Australian Native Bush Co.
From that collaboration grew Australian Native Bush Co – an Indigenous-led beverage brand co-founded by Richie and Cypher Head Brewer Matty Thiele, proudly supported by Cypher. The brand shares native Australian ingredients through culturally guided beverages such as native iced teas – created with care, responsibility and respect for Country.
Cypher Brewing Co continues to brew beer in Canberra, inspired by brewing cultures from around the world, but always interpreted through an Australian perspective and a strong local identity.
Cypher Brewing Co will present a wide range of beers on tap at the festival, including cultural releases brewed throughout the year that draw inspiration from international brewing traditions, such as Colombian Cerveza, Chilean Lager, and French Bière de Garde. Australian Native Bush Co will offer non-alcoholic native iced teas, providing accessible options for non-drinkers and families.
Co-founder of Cypher Brewing Co, Jeff Wilson-Shipley, said the partnership reflects the role local producers play in supporting community-focused events.
“The National Multicultural Festival is an important part of Canberra’s cultural calendar,” he says. “Partnering with the festival allows us to contribute as a local brewery, working alongside an Indigenous-led business to deliver a hospitality offering that reflects both global cultures and a strong connection to place.”
Ngunnawal knowledge holder and co-founder of Australian Native Bush Co, Richie Allan, said the partnership provides an opportunity to share native ingredients in a way that respects culture and community.
“Native ingredients come from Country and carry responsibility with them,” he says. “Through this partnership, we are sharing knowledge carefully, supporting local community, and creating space for people to experience native flavours respectfully, within a broader celebration of culture.”
The two local producers plan to deliver a hospitality offering that reflects Canberra’s multicultural identity, supports local business, and recognises Indigenous leadership and knowledge. The partnership also marks the official public launch of Australian Native Bush Co, an Indigenous-led beverage business founded in Canberra.
The National Multicultural Festival is one of Australia’s largest multicultural celebrations, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors to Canberra each year. The sponsorship with Cypher Brewing Co and Australian Native Bush Co reflects the festival’s ongoing commitment to local producers, Indigenous-led businesses, and high-quality hospitality experiences.
