CANOPY BEER COMPANY
Canopy’s owners, Estelle and Matthew, issued the following message on 7 November. It speaks very clearly for itself:
“I’m afraid that this email is to let you know that after eight years of trading, we have decided to close Canopy. We set up in 2014 with the aim to bring great tasting, no-nonsense, straight-talking craft beer to our part of south London and I can pretty safely say that we achieved our aim, and then some. In those eight years, craft beer has gone from being a curiosity to being commonplace, and we’re proud that we were part of that growth. Despite that, the current economic situation makes our position untenable. There are a multitude of reasons – rent, electricity, cost of living – all contributing factors. We are choosing to close in order that we have control over the process. We have brewed enough beer to see everyone through to the end of the year. We’d be super grateful if you would rally round and continue to order (and pay!) as usual until then, but we wanted to make sure to let you know and give you enough time to sort out new beers for your lines come January. We deeply value your custom and we are grateful for all of your support over the years. We’ve got one final very limited edition beer for you called Full Circle, a 5.3% ABV New England Pale Ale. Available this week in can and keg. We did it all because it was hard, not because it was easy. We have tried, without being afraid of failing. Thank you, thank you all so much for your support.” Estelle & Matthew
We send out thanks and best wishes for the future to Estelle and Matthew.
GOODNESS BREWING CO
The Wood Green based brewery now have a regular outlet at the newly opened Hicce Hart pub near Chapel Market. See the Pub News column for more details.
HOPPY COLLIE
Clarification is needed as regards the item on page 46 of the printed last edition regarding Hammersmith Brewery. There is no link between the Hoppy Collie Brewery and Hammersmith Brewery beyond Hoppy Collie having once used the same premises. The Hoppy Collie Brewery still exists and they hope to brew again. Any developments will be reported here.
PORTOBELLO BREWERY
Some late news from our friends at the Society for the Preservation of Beers from the Wood. At their WoodFest event in May there was a Wood Beer of Britain (WBOB) competition. The winner was Portobello Brewery for their Market Porter (4.6% ABV). The award was presented to Rob Jenkins, co-founder and managing director of the brewing division, in August.
SMALL BEER BREW CO
South Bermondsey based Small Beer, producers of a range of low alcohol beer, have launched a cask version of one of them, Steam Beer (2.7% ABV). Small Beer’s co-founder, James Grundy, told the Drinks Business newsletter, “There’s something quite magic about cask beer. It requires a lot of care and attention from the brewer, the distributor and the publican, but when this happens, there’s nothing quite like it.” The company’s other co-founder and head brewer, Felix James, added, “There’s no doubt that keg beers are in high demand but, as a brewery that takes great pride in sourcing the best quality malt and hops from British farmers, we feel a social responsibility to champion cask beer for a new generation of craft beer drinkers to enjoy.” You should be able to find the beer in the King’s Arms in Roupell Street and the Roebuck in Great Dover Street), as well as at the brewery’s tap room.
THAMES SIDE BREWERY
Sadly, Thames Side’s arrangement with Last Hop has not worked out and they have left the site close to the bridge in Staines-on-Thames. The brewing equipment has been placed in storage while owner Andy Hayward looks for a new site. He very much hopes to reopen somewhere close by very soon. Watch this space…
BEAVERTOWN
Curiously, given that they are now fully owned by Heineken, Beavertown recently released a cask beer. It was a 4% ABV English pale ale called Rocket Ram and was a collaboration with the Young’s pub chain. It is believed however to have only been brewed for September and Young’s ‘Young’s Day’ celebrations.