THREE SODS CLOSES
I’m sorry to report the closure of the Three Sods brewery in London Fields. The brewery started in 2014 and moved to larger premises in 2020. It is understood that they simply did not recover from the effects of the pandemic. They join a number of well established medium/small brewers from around the country, including Kelham Island (Sheffield) and Strathaven Ales (Lanarkshire) who have experienced similar problems.
APPBG AWARD
Our congratulations go to Jaega Wise, the head brewer at Wild Card Brewery in Walthamstow, who has won the Brewer of the Year award for 2022, presented by the All Party Parliamentary Beer Group.
ANSPACH & HOBDAY
Croydon based A&H have confirmed their commitment to cask beer. Co-founder and executive chairman Jack Hobday told the Morning Advertiser, “Cask is something we will always champion. We are tripling our production capacity and we will look to grow our cask volumes and presence in more great pubs.” Their new London Black porter, usually served under nitrogen, has proved very popular and is now 45% of their keg output. A cask version has not been ruled out. Their beers are available at the Arch House, their site on the Bermondsey Beer Mile, and their taproom in Croydon plus a number of well known pubs.
COMMON RIOTERS BEER LTD
This South London brewery, started in 2018, is now operating a pub with a microbrewery called the Green Goddess. It is a conversion of a former Barclays bank in Vanbrugh Park. The beers are unpasteurised and unfiltered.
EAST SIDE BREWERY & TASTING ROOM
The East Side Brewery in Harold Wood, Essex, which opened in 2020, has now added a ‘Tasting Room’. At present it is only open on Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons/ evenings. The brewery produces keg beers which are unpasteurised and unfiltered. The full address is Unit 5b, Elms Industrial Estate, Church Road.
TRUMAN’S CHANGE NAME
Truman’s have changed their name to Big Penny. It is believed that the Truman’s name has been taken by someone else but we have no details. Following their decision to close their brewery at Hackney Wick earlier this year and not, as originally planned, build a replacement on their new site at Walthamstow, their beers are being brewed under contract. The flagship Walthamstow site becomes the Big Penny Social and will continue much as before. With its 1,400 capacity, the company claim that it is the biggest beer hall in the UK. The bar at London City Airport will change its name from Brick Lane Brews to Big Penny Brews while their pub, the Newman Arms in Fitzrovia, is for sale. One of the founders, Michael-George Hemus, remains involved and told the Morning Advertiser, “Now the rebrand is completed, we will continue in our aim to further improve and develop our retail estate, in line with our vision to create special community-focused venues, which bring people together to enjoy elevated experiences. We will look at adding another venue in the next 12 to 24 months.”
