Matt Giffen

Matt Giffen | 

Director

Founder, Bench Brewing

Matt enjoyed a 24-year banking career in capital markets with Bank of America, TD Capital and Scotiabank Global Banking and Markets. Matt worked overseas in London, Dublin, Sydney and Singapore with his last stop in Toronto and New York as Managing Director, Global Head of Commodties Trading as well as Global Head of Infrastructure Finance for Scotiabank.

Following his career in banking, he pursued his passion for brewing and agriculture full time and created Bench Brewing Company in 2018 on 8 acres in the beautiful Niagara Benchlands. Matt and his family have been part of the Town of Lincoln community now for over fifteen years, first growing grapes and now hops and apples alongside the brewery.

Situated in Ontario’s wine country, Bench crafts premium quality and award-winning IPAs, Ales, Lagers and Barrel-aged Sours while growing its own hops and apples. Surrounded by some of Ontario’s best agricultural land, Bench is a certified B Corp that focuses on sustainability and the environment in its brewing practices. Bench has a zero-wastewater footprint facility and is certified Carbon Neutral by Radicle Cimate Smart with net zero GHG emissions.

Matt was born and raised in London, Ontario, and is a B.Comm. graduate from McGill University. Married to Erin with three daughters Molly, Kate and Ella.