{"id":411,"date":"2019-07-24T21:21:21","date_gmt":"2019-07-24T21:21:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/londondrinker.camra.org.uk\/wordpress\/?p=411"},"modified":"2019-07-24T21:21:22","modified_gmt":"2019-07-24T21:21:22","slug":"brewery-news-july-2019","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/londondrinker.camra.org.uk\/wordpress\/index.php\/2019\/07\/24\/brewery-news-july-2019\/","title":{"rendered":"Brewery News – July 2019"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

ALPHABETA<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The brewery was an integral part of the Pitt Cue barbecue restaurant which, after eight years, has closed, taking the brewery down with it. No other reason has been given apart from the current general downturn in the restaurant trade in London.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

EALING BREWING CO<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As one goes, another arrives . . . The company has applied for a premises licence for a former taxi garage in the Ham, Brentford. Presumably the brewery will therefore have a tap room as well. More when I know it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FULLER\u2019S (ASAHI)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to a report in the Morning Advertiser, James Cuthbertson, the managing director of Dark Star Brewing Co, left the company in middle of June. Mr Cuthbertson had been MD since 2017 and was a key player in the sale of the company to Fuller\u2019s. Asked for a quote, a spokesman for Asahi said, \u201cAs part of our standard business processes we continually review our operations to ensure we have the right structures and capabilities in place for brewing and brand success, however, we do not comment on individual cases.\u201d In fairness, it is also Mr Cuthbertson\u2019s personal business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HACKNEY BREWERY<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In June Hackney Brewery again brewed Unicorn Rodeo, (4% ABV) DDH XPA (double dry-hopped extra pale ale). It was brewed for the first time last year to raise funds for the charity Pride in London. Its popularity has led to its return and this time the beneficiary will be Switchboard, a charity that provides a one-stop listening service for LGBT+ people. It is brewed with Simcoe, Mosiac and Citra hops and pilsner malt. Unfortunately for cask ale fans, it is available in keg and can only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HOP STUFF<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Woolwich based brewery, which also operated a number of tap rooms, has gone into administration. Their problems began earlier this year with disputes with their landlord and HM Revenue & Customs. At the end of April it looked as if some sort of rescue package was being put together but nothing came of it. There appears to have been a \u2018pre-package\u2019 arrangement set up by administrators KPMG because the brewery, founded in 2013, was immediately bought by Molson Coors, the owners of Sharp\u2019s among others. This includes the tap rooms in Woolwich, Deptford and Ashford and the brand rights. The brewery raised a total of \u00a31.5 million in two tranches of crowdfunding which the investors have now lost. Founder James Yeomans remains in charge and he hopes to start brewing again shortly. No jobs have been lost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

LONDON FIELDS<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Readers will remember that, after a somewhat chequered history, London Fields was purchased by Carlsberg. The Morning Advertiser reports that they are now investing \u00a32.1 million in a relaunch, \u00a31.5 million of which will be spent on new brewing kit from the German company Kaspar Schulz. To begin with, the new head brewer, Talfryn Provis-Evans, will be experimenting with a variety of styles to test the versatility of the plant. The current range of beers, Hackney Hopster, 3 Weiss Monkeys and Broadway Boss, are brewed elsewhere under contract and it is not clear if these will continue or return to Hackney. The premises, at Warburton Street E8, are being expanded into adjoining railway arches to create two events spaces. In due course London Fields will also be brewing low and no-alcohol beers. The tap room, currently scheduled to reopen on 9 August, will have barbecues and vegan and vegetarian food will be on the menu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TRUMAN\u2019S ON THE MOVE<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is Walthamstow replacing Hackney Wick as the centre of London brewing? Truman\u2019s have announced that they will be building a new brewery there. Correctly the Black Eagle Brewery, they started brewing in the Wick in 2013, having acquired the rights to the brand names from Scottish & Newcastle. They have now outgrown that site and the new one, due to open in mid-2020, will have an area of 50,000 square feet and be capable of producing 250,000 hectolitres (5,500,000 gallons). It will also have a tap room and street food market, a live music performance space plus artists\u2019 studios. There will be brewery tours and a brewing school. Truman\u2019s chief executive, James Morgan, told the Evening Standard, \u201cHaving maxed out capacity at our current home in Hackney Wick, our new brewery gives us a springboard to grow for many years to come whilst flying the flag for east London brewing. We\u2019re delighted to bring Truman\u2019s to Walthamstow and join part of its vibrant and growing craft beer community.\u201d The Hackney Wick site will be closing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WATNEY\u2019S BEER CO<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ironically, as Truman\u2019s expand, their old Grand Metropolitan stablemate, Watney\u2019s, is also being revived. The beers have been contract brewed since 2014, most recently by Sambrook\u2019s, when the current Watney\u2019s Beer Company (formerly Brands Reunited) licensed the rights from Heineken. They are now crowdfunding, looking for \u00a3400,000 to continue the project. Director Nick Whitehurst told the Morning Advertiser that \u201cconsumers increasingly prioritise tried, tested and recognisable brands\u201d and this will work to their advantage with the market full of new entrants, especially given the craze for all things \u2018retro\u2019. Mr Whitehurst added that with the name Watney\u2019s still evident in the architecture and fabric of a lot of pubs, they have a \u2018good story\u2019. The company achieved 85% year-on-year sales growth in 2018, so they must be doing something right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WIMBLEDON BREWERY<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About twenty members of CAMRA\u2019s South West London branch gathered for a lunchtime social at the Wimbledon Brewery Tap on what was then the hottest day of the year, Saturday 29 June. We sat outside under some thoughtfully provided shade and had samples of the brewery\u2019s beers, including SW19, Common, Copper Leaf and XXK. Some of us were taken on a very informative trip around the brewery, led by head brewer (and John Young Memorial Award winner) Derek Prentice. A most enjoyable afternoon was completed with some members going on to (or in some cases a combination of) the Sultan, the William Morris, the Merton Apprentice or the Trafalgar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
(photo courtesy of Pauline Doyle) <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Martin Butler<\/em><\/strong>
Editor\u2019s note: further to my note in the last edition, Copper Leaf went on to be the IBA champion beer in the International Cask Conditioned Ale competition.
Compiled by Tony Hedger, except where stated<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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