It is always a struggle to come up with a unique and memorable name for a new brewery but the founders’ choice to call this little brewery Libertalia reflects their ethos as well as irreverence. Libertalia is the name of a legendary society set up by pirates in Madagascar in the late 1600s, where all distinctions of race, religion and class were abolished.
The Libertalia Brewing Company was established in 2023 by Christos Daskalopoulos and Matt Dean, who met when working at a Greek brewpub. They then worked together at 3 Locks in Camden Town before taking on Gravity Well’s tap room in an arch in E11 in the summer of 2023. By the winter, they had installed a second hand eight hectolitre (5 barrel) brewing kit along with four fermenters and had commenced brewing. They also put in a keg washer.
As always with new breweries, things did not go entirely to plan. After six months, Chris decided to return to Athens, leaving Matt to continue the operation on his own. Fortunately, he met Vera and Richard, known as Chud. They were regulars in the tap room and helped out there for about 18 months. When Matt decided to take on a new tap room in 2025, they formed an official partnership to run the new venture which they called the Calamity Tank Tap Room. Not over burdened with cash, Matt said, “The furniture is a mix of donations from friends and customers, and charity shops.” But this all adds to the ambience.
Being situated almost next door to Leytonstone High Road Overground station, they have been able to take advantage of finer weather and the passing trade. There is some outside seating and Matt added, “We have a mobile bar for outside events. It’s a good area for collaboration and the Leyton Collective reflects this.” Collaboration goes beyond events into some interesting, less mainstream areas, “We have done beer cocktails with the absinthe producer, Devil’s Botany Distillery Absinthe in Lea Road.”
Libertalia produce cask beers and they aim to have one beer on handpump at the Calamity Tank Tap Room from September to late spring. Matt is aiming eventually to build a cold room at the back of the bar which could extend the availability.
There is some doubt as to whether the Madagascan colony was real or a myth but the Libertalia Brewery is real enough! Visit www.libertaliabrewing.co.uk for more information.
Christine Cryne