Just when you think you have seen every brewery set-up under the sun, you come across one that proves you wrong and Urban Alchemy is one of those!
The story started when home brewer Dave Boldrin moved in with his girlfriend (later his wife) and she told him that he couldn’t use the bath for his brewing. Determined not to stop his beloved hobby while valuing his relationship, Dave spoke to some friends. One was Simon (Si) Morley, who told him, “I’ve got space at the end of my garden; if you teach me to brew, we can use that” and so the idea of a jointly owned brewery was born. Matt, a friend from Si’s school days was then recruited, followed by Neil, the brother of another school friend, and the project began. The building was designed by another friend (as were the electrics) but they brought in a professional bricklayer, with the four friends providing the labour. This icon of love took three months to complete. The end result is a bit like a Swiss chalet (too small to be a cottage!).
It was however some time before the group of friends decided to start brewing commercially. They sold their first beer in 2019 and the customer was the Little Green Dragon in Winchmore Hill (N21 2AD). They took the beer over on the bus! The LGD’s owner, Richard Reeve, told them that (at that time) it was the pub’s ‘fastest ever seller’.
In time, Dave dropped out to go to Glasgow University to continue his career in chemistry. Si, Matt and Neil decided to carry on, funding the business with directors’ loans. The work is divided between the three of them. Si is the chief executive, responsible for the management side of the business. He is a part time carer for his daughter, Ruby, who has Rhett’s Syndrome. Matt takes the lead on the day to day brewing (and cleaning) and Neil is the IT and production expert. He also does some odd jobs outside the brewery.
Although not huge, this 500 litre brewery is high tech. The temperatures of the mash tun, kettle, fermenters and storage tanks are all continuously measured electronically, with the data displayed on a control panel that can be accessed remotely. As Si explained, “It saves coming into the brewery in the dark on a mid winter’s night.” This was all installed by Neil and is based on a little Raspberry Pi computer.
The data being tracked can also be downloaded in a graphical form if required, which is pretty impressive for such a small brewery.
The mash tun and kettle use low density elements, “So the beer doesn’t burn!” explained Si. The five fermenters/ conditioning tanks are all chilled using glycol, which is stored outside the brewery. There is also a sixth tank used for chilling. Once finished, most of the beer is put into KeyKegs, in which the beer undergoes secondary fermentation. Urban Alchemy did start out with plastic casks, “But it wasn’t cost effective. KeyKegs are one way so we don’t have to worry about returns. It’s much more flexible,” Si explained. The containers are stored in a temperature controlled room in the house, along with the freezer where the hops are stored. Si said, “We started with whole hops but now use pellets, which are easier for us”. He then added, “My partner, Helen, is the most understanding person in the universe.”
The intention was to have a business based on draught beer to the trade and, just before lockdown, they had started to look at trade networks. Sadly, the pandemic put paid to that and they had to change their model. “We purchased bottles and began hand bottling in earnest. It was a brilliant summer,” said Si. He continued, “We had to get an off licence and we don’t sell from the house so I was out delivering, often spending half an hour chatting to old boys, who probably hadn’t seen anyone but me for days. We started to build a local reputation and we were even delivering to some customers twice a day. Our neighbours are nice and that helps.” That said, the fact that in the first lockdown they gave all their beer away to neighbours (rather than pour it down the drain) probably did no harm!
Urban Alchemy are fortunate in that, being in Si’s garden, they don’t have the same rent costs as most London breweries and, as the business was funded by the directors, they have no external borrowing. When they were able to, they began to build their local contacts. They attended the market in High Barnet, held pop up bars and started being asked to do bars at local festivals, including a medieval fair. This all helped to develop their reputation in the local community and resulted in an approach from the Barnet Town Team. The closure of a local estate agents had made a shop available and, looking to see the space used, the team contacted a number of small businesses. The result was an amazingly creative multi-use space called the Chipping Workshop. During the day it houses all sorts of outlets, from clothes to coffee, then, in the evenings, the coffee and cake stand becomes Urban Alchemy’s pop up bar, including a moveable ‘Bar’ sign and blackboards for listing the beers. The bar normally is open from Thursday to Sunday.
The beer taps can also be moved up and down. Si explained that the owner of the coffee and cake stand was not very tall, so the counter needed to fit her needs too. There is seating for about 80 people and consists of ‘flat pack’ benches and tables, which can be easily packed away when not in use. The bar is run by Tom, who is another relative of a friend! Si explained, “At one time, before the estate agents, the premises was a fish restaurant and the permitted licensing hours to midnight still remain, although we don’t use them.” “It’s been our saviour,” Si continued; “The taproom now accounts for 70% of our sales but the downside is we could be asked to move out at any time.” The tap room sells around six beers from the brewery and, although they are quite strong, Si said that they had toned down the alcohol content from their original recipes.
The taproom can be found at 98 High Street, Barnet, EN5 5XQ. For more information and to check opening times, see www.urban-alchemy-brewing.co.uk. You can find the descriptions of the beers from the London Tasting Panel on the London Regional website: www.london.camra.org.uk.
Christine Cryne