Promoting an international beer culture that recognises and celebrates beers of quality, distinctiveness and local character, brewed with care and passion.
Best beer and travel writing award 2015, 2011 -- British Guild of Beer Writers Awards
Accredited Beer Sommelier
Writer of "Probably the best book about beer in London" - Londonist
"A necessity if you're a beer geek travelling to London town" - Beer Advocate
"A joy to read" - Roger Protz
"Very authoritative" - Tim Webb.
"One of the top beer writers in the UK" - Mark Dredge.
"A beer guru" - Popbitch.
By the end of 1992, there were 18 commercial breweries operating in London, including 13 brewpubs. 12 were part of national groups (N), 3 part of multinationals (M). These breweries were:
Anheuser-Busch UK (Stag, Anheuser-Busch, leased from Scottish & Newcastle M) SW14, Richmond upon Thames
Duke of Norfolk (Clifton Inns / Scottish & Newcastle N) W11, Kensington & Chelsea, brewpub
Ind Coope parent Allied Lyons’ brewery business is separated and sold to Carlsberg to form Carlsberg-Tetley. Retail side including Firkin chain retained.
For definitions of a London brewery, see the current London breweries page.
By the end of 1991, there were 17 commercial breweries operating in London, including 12 brewpubs. 13 were part of national groups (N), two part of multinationals (M). These breweries were:
Anheuser-Busch UK (Stag, Anheuser-Busch, leased from Scottish & Newcastle M) SW14, Richmond upon Thames
Duke of Norfolk (Clifton Inns / Scottish & Newcastle N) W11, Kensington & Chelsea, brewpub
Firkin Brewery and all its pubs sold by Stakis Leisure to Allied Lyons (Ind Coope).
Grand Metropolitan completes sale of Watney breweries and brands. Clifton Inns and Stag brewery acquired by Scottish & Newcastle, who lease the Stag to Anheuser-Busch UK.
For definitions of a London brewery, see the current London breweries page.
By the end of 1990, there were 17 commercial breweries operating in London, including 12 brewpubs. 6 were part of national groups (N), one part of a multinational (M). These breweries were:
Duke of Norfolk (Clifton Inns / Watney / Grand Metropolitan N) W11, Kensington & Chelsea, brewpub NEW!
No openings, 5 suspensions or closures, net change -5.
By the end of 1989, there were 16 commercial breweries operating in London, including 11 brewpubs. 5 were part of national groups (N), one part of a multinational (M). These breweries were:
By the end of 1988, there were 21 commercial breweries operating in London, including 14 brewpubs. 6 were part of national groups (N), one part of a multinational (M). These breweries were:
Battersea Brewery (Prince of Wales, Conway brewpubs) SW11, Wandsworth, brewpub
Firkin Brewery and all its pubs sold to Midsummer Leisure, except Flamingo and Firkin, which reverts to Watney’s / Grand Metropolitan ownership and becomes Flamingo Brewery, part of Clifton Inns.
For definitions of a London brewery, see the current London breweries page.
By the end of 1987, there were 23 commercial breweries operating in London, including 16 brewpubs. 7 were part of national groups (N), one part of a multinational (M). These breweries were:
Battersea Brewery (Prince of Wales, Conway brewpubs) SW11, Wandsworth, brewpub
By the end of 1986, there were 23 commercial breweries operating in London, including 15 brewpubs. 7 were part of national groups (N), one part of a multinational (M). These breweries were:
Battersea Brewery (Prince of Wales, Conway brewpubs) SW11, Wandsworth, brewpub
3 revivals and openings, 1 closure, net change +2.
By the end of 1985, there were 24 commercial breweries operating in London, including 15 brewpubs. 7 were part of national groups (N), one part of a multinational (M). These breweries were:
6 openings, 2 closures and suspensions, net change +4.
By the end of 1984, there were 22 commercial breweries operating in London, including 13 brewpubs. 7 were part of national groups (N), one part of a multinational (M). These breweries were:
Battersea Brewery (Prince of Wales, Conway brewpubs) SW11, Wandsworth, brewpub
8D Rainbow Industrial Estate, Trout Road, Yiewsley, West Drayton UB7 7XT (Hillingdon) First sold beer: 8 May 1996 Ceased brewing: June 1997
Teacher and keen homebrewer Jerry Scanlon was encouraged to brew professionally when his IPA began winning competition prizes. His first commercial beer, Spike (4.5%), was launched in October 1995, cuckoo-brewed at Rebellion in Marlow, Buckinghamshire.
He sought the help of Mike Askey, who had just started brewing at the Bitter End pub in Cockermouth, Cumbria (brewing 1995-2011). Mike built a small bespoke 4 hl kit in a unit on an industrial estate beside the Grand Union Canal in Yiewsley, on the western edge of London. The first beer brewed here was a cask golden ale, Middlesex Gold (3.8%), soon joined by Colne Valley Best Bitter (4.1%), Brunel Premier Ale (4.8%) and various specials and seasonals.
The brewery was officially launched on 28 November 1996 by TV astrologer Russell Grant, but had been active for some months before that.
Unfortunately it subsequently struggled to stay afloat and ceased brewing little more than a year after starting. Some brands were subsequently cuckoo brewed at Rebellion and at Vale at Brill near Aylesbury.
The industrial estate, on the northeast corner of the Trout Lane bridge over the canal, has since been demolished to make way for a cement yard.
This pioneering new book explains what makes cask beer so special, and explores its past, present and future. Order now from CAMRA Books. Read more here.
London’s Best Beer
The fully updated 3rd edition of my essential award-winning guide to London’s vibrant beer scene is available now from CAMRA Books. Read more here.
