Inevitably, it takes a long time to set up a brewery, whether it is a new one or relocating an existing one. Hackney Church Brew Co was no exception. In their case they moved their kit from the arches near Hackney Central where they were founded in 2018. “We decided to expand in November 2024,” said Hamish, the co-owner and managing director. “We eventually started work the following September, finally opening our brand new Blackhorse Lane site in April 2026.” Hamish explained there were a number of reasons for the new premises. “We had our own generator to power the brewery but during COVID people were working at home and a local complained about the noise. It turned out it would have cost us around £170K to address it. Then there was the need to meet our growing demand. We were turning down contracts because keeping the tap room supplied took up much of our capacity. There is also the fact that our lease in Hackney is up for renewal and the new site gives us that bit more security for the future.”
They have no intention of giving up their original Hackney home. The removal of the brewery provides more space and new opportunities for the taproom. Hamish explained, “We are licensed to hold weddings but, because we had to close the tap room to do so, we limited them to one a month so as not to upset our regulars too much. Thanks to the release of the second arch, which housed the brewing kit, we can put in a bar and extra toilets and so can host the weddings there and increase them to every week.”
The brew length has remained the same but the significant extra space has allowed them to install more fermenters. There are now ten, with sizes ranging from 10 to 40 hectolitres. This means that they are still able to lager their beers. “It takes six weeks from grain to glass,” said Jacob, their award-winning head brewer. The wall outside the gents and the stairwell on the way to the ladies are festooned with their award certificates. “And that’s not all of them,” said Hamish.
The ladies’ toilets are worth a perusal (sorry gents); they have a set of ecclesiastical mirrors, in keeping with the tap room’s style. Where else can you find a pulpit in a bar? Hamish explained that he purchased the items from a specialist dealer who offers a whole range of church items. There is also a lovely twist. Those of you who know your church carpentry may have head of Robert (Mousey) Thompson, who was famous for carving mice into his work. Hackney Church has done the same, although their mice are a little more diverse, ranging from one dressed as Admiral Nelson to another figure praying for cheese. There is a sheet for children (and adults with a sense of fun) to find the mice and tick them off!
The joie de vie is also apparent in the brewery area. Hamish proudly showed off his set of lights, designed to pick out the various pieces of equipment on brewery tours in what can only be described as a light show with moving coloured lights, more reminiscent of a son et lumière. “We can use the area alongside the tap room for events, including rugby and cricket,” said Hamish as he pointed out a huge screen. “We want to attract new audiences including families, so have introduced Family Fun Days on Sunday with a bouncy castle.”
Only their core range of beer has a religious connotation. Hamish explained that they dropped this link owing to comments from some customers. Their beer is all craft keg and the core range comprises Ascension (Köln style lager), Halo (Helles), Renaissance (Pale Ale), St Clements (Hefeweizen) and Super Fly (West Coast IPA). These are available in cans, produced in-house on their small canning line. Jacob said that they can do cask and maybe they might think about it in the future. Jacob has experience in brewing cask beer, having previously worked at Redemption Brewery.
Hackney Church might be growing but it still retains a friendly feel and remains a small team, with only three brewers (led by Jacob), Mel (part time sales), Hamish and the tap room staff. Why not pop along to the new site to see the brewery and the tap room and seek out those pesky mice while enjoying a beer.
Go to https://hackneychurchbrew.co/ for locations and times.
Christine Cryne