Beer Culture with Des de Moor

Closed and renamed London breweries

Brewhouse at the Botanist, Richmond TW9, since moved twice and now at Ignition Brewing.

For historical interest, this is a list of commercial breweries which have operated in London in recent years but have since closed, suspended brewing activities for a significant length of time, switched to brewing on other people’s equipment or relocated outside the capital. Below it is a list of breweries which have changed name, often following a change of ownership: this may be helpful in finding information about a particular brewery.

°Plato E8, Hackney, 2014-16.
AB InBev (Stag Brewery) SW14, Richmond upon Thames, 1641-2015.
Adventure Brewery KT9, Kingston upon Thames, 2012-13.
Affinity Brew Co SW9, Lambeth, 2016-24.
Alphabeta Brewery (PittCue) EC2, City of London, brewpub, 2015-19.
Barclay Perkins & Co SE1, Southwark, 1616-1963: see Courage.
Barking Brewery IG11, Barking & Dagenham, 1985-86.
Barnet Brewery (Black Horse) EN5, Barnet, brewpub, 2013-21.
Battersea Brewery (Prince of Wales, Conway Brewpubs) SW11, Wandsworth, brewpub 1983-89, unrelated to current Battersea Brewery.
Battersea Brewery SW11, Wandsworth, 2001-07, unrelated to current Battersea Brewery.
Beavertown Brewery (Tottenham Hotspur, Heineken) N17, Haringey, brewpub, 2019-23, production continues at other sites.
Bertie Belcher’s Brewery Co (Hedgehog and Hogshead) N1, Islington and SM1, Sutton, brewpubs, 1995-98.
BBNo (Brew by Numbers, BREAL/Keystone) SE10, Greenwich, 2013-2024: production relocated outside London.
Big Smoke Brew Co (Antelope) KT6, Kingston upon Thames, brewpub, 2014-19: moved outside London
Block Brewery (Wenlock Arms) N1, Hackney, brewpub, 2016-23, pub still open but no longer brewing.
Bloomsbury Brewery (Perseverance) WC1, Camden, brewpub, 2014-15: unrelated to current Brewer without brewery.
Botanist TW9, Richmond upon Thames, brewpub, 2011-13: see Brewhouse and Kitchen.
Brasserie les Sans-culottes WC2, Camden, brewpub, 2001-03.
Brew Wharf SE1, Southwark, brewpub, 2005-14.
Brewery Below (Borough Wines Islington) N1, Islington, brewpub, 2017-18.
Brick Brewery (BREAL) SE8, Lewisham, 2013-23, production relocated outside London.
Bridge Brewery (formerly Simon’s Tower Bridge Brewery, Tower Brewery) SE1, Southwark, 1980-83.
Brixton Brewery (Warrior, Conway Brewpubs) SW9, Lambeth, brewpub 1984-89, unrelated to current Brixton Brewery.
Brixton Brewery Herne Hill (Heineken) SE24, Lambeth, 2018-24, production moved to Beavertown Ponders End, small-scale brewing continues at Brixton site.
Brodie’s Fabulous Beers (William IV) E10, Waltham Forest, brewpub, 2008-16: now a cuckoo.
Brüpond Brewery E10, Waltham Forest, 2012-13.
Bünker: see Freedom Brewery.
Charrington Brewery (Bass Charrington) E1, Tower Hamlets, c1757-1975.
Chudley & Co W9, Westminster, 1981-84, merged to form Godson Chudley & Co.
Cock and Hen SW6, Hammersmith and Fulham, brewpub, 2007-08, now named Cock Tavern: see Florence.
Combe & Co WC2, Westminster, c1722-1905: see Stag Brewery and Guinness at Old Brewers Yard.
Courage Brewery SE1, Southwark, c1550-1981, brewing outside London.
Cricklewood Brewing Company NW2, Barnet, 2017.
CTZN Brew (Kew Brewery) SW14, Richmond upon Thames, 2015-21.
Deviant and Dandy E9, Hackney, 2018-23.
Dickens Inn: see Tooley Street Brewery.
Dogs Grandad Brewery SW9, Lambeth, 2021-23.
Duke of Norfolk (Clifton Inns/Scottish & Newcastle) W11, Kensington & Chelsea, brewpub 1990-93.
Earls Brewery (Earl of Essex) N1, Islington, brewpub, 2013-14: the owners subsequently revived brewing as Saint Monday in 2023.
Earth Ale N22, Haringey, 2015-21: moved outside London.
East Side Brewery RM3, Havering, 2021-22.
Eel Pie Brew School (Ricardos Cellar) TW1, Richmond upon Thames, 2018-20.
Enefeld (Enfield Brewery) N18, Enfield, 2015-22.
Falcon and Firkin (Queen’s Head, Bruce’s/Allied) E9, Hackney, brewpub 1986-99. Later Laine’s Brew Lab.
Fantail and Firkin (Bruce’s/Allied) N10, Haringey, brewpub 1997-99.
Faraday and Firkin (Bruce’s/Allied) SW11, Wandsworth, brewpub 1997-99.
Ferret and Firkin (Balloon Tavern, Bruce’s/Allied) SW19, Kensington & Chelsea, brewpub 1983-99.
Fiddler and Firkin (Duke’s Head, Bruce’s/Allied) CR0, Croydon, brewpub 1993-99.
Flamingo and Firkin (Bruce’s/Allied): See Kingston Brewing Co and Clifton Inns.
Flat Iron Square (Lagunitas, Heineken) SE1, Southwark, brewpub, formerly St Felix Place, 2021-22.
Flicker and Firkin (Bruce’s/Allied) TW9, Richmond upon Thames, brewpub 1994-99.
Florence Brewery (Head in a Hat, Craft Academy) SE24, Lambeth, brewpub, 2007-18, brewhouse finally removed 2023.
Flounder and Firkin (Lamb, Bruce’s/Allied) N7, Islington, brewpub 1985-99, previously Highbury Brewery, c1740-1912.
Flyman and Firkin (Bruce’s/Allied) WC2, Camden, brewpub 1993-99.
Ford and Firkin (White Hart, Bruce’s/Allied) RM1, Havering, brewpub 1997-99.
Fourpure Brewing (In Good Company) SE16, Southwark 2013-24, production moved outside London.
Fox and Firkin (Black Bull, Bruce’s/Allied) SE13, Lewisham, brewpub 1980-99 (brewing revived 2023).
Freedom Brewery SW6, Hammersmith & Fulham, 1995-2001, moved outside London.
Freedom Covent Garden (Bünker, Soho Brewing Company) WC2, Camden, brewpub, 1998-2005.
Freedom Soho (Zebrano) W1, Westminster, brewpub, 1999-2003.
Friar and Firkin (Rising Sun, Bruce’s/Allied) NW1, Camden, brewpub 1992-99.
Friesian and Firkin (Bulls Head, Bruce’s/Allied) SW4, Lambeth, brewpub 1993-99.
Fringe and Firkin (White Horse, Bush, Bruce’s/Allied) W12, Hammersmith & Fulham, 1997-99. Previously White Horse brewery (Fisher & Large), c1790-1890.
Frog and Firkin (Bruce’s/Allied) W11, Kensington & Chelsea, brewpub 1981-95.
Gan Yam SE17, Southwark, 2019.
George and Dragon W1, Westminster, brewpub, 2016-17.
George and Dragon W3, Ealing, brewpub, 2014-19, as Dragonfly and Portobello at the George.
Godson & Chudley & Co E3, Tower Hamlets, formerly Godson Freeman & Wilmot, 1977-87.
Goose and Firkin (Duke of York, Bruce’s/Allied) SE1, Southwark, brewpub 1979-95.
Gorgeous Brewery (Bull) N6, Haringey, brewpub, 2016-2022, brewing outside London.
Grand Union Brewery (The) UB3, Hillingdon, 2002-07.
Greyhound (Clifton Inns/Scottish & Newcastle) SW16, Lambeth, brewpub 1984-97.
Greywood Brewery N22, Haringey, 2020-21.
Guinness Park Royal (Diageo) NW10, Ealing, 1936-2005, brewing outside London.
Haverstock Brewery (Load of Hay) NW3, Camden, brewpub, 2016-17.
Hedgehog and Hogshead: see Bertie Belcher’s Brewery Co.
Hill Brothers NW1, Camden, 2017-18.
Hoppy Collie Brewery W6, Hammersmith and Fulham, 2013, premises later reused by Hammersmith Craft Brewery.
Hops and Glory N1, Islington, brewpub, 2013-17: see Solvay Society.
Ind Coope (Allied Lyons) RM1, Havering, 1708-1993.
Iron Bridge Tavern (Roger Booth Brewpubs) E14, Tower Hamlets, brewpub 1980-1982.
Jeffersons Brewery TW9, Richmond upon Thames, 2017-22.
Jolly Fenman (Clifton Inns/Watney) DA15, Bexley, brewpub 1984-88.
King of Beasts (Roger Booth Brewpubs) N1, Islington, brewpub, 1981-82.
Kingston Brewing Co (Flamingo, Flamingo and Firkin, Clifton Inns/Scottish & Newcastle) KT2, Kingston upon Thames, brewpub 1987-98.
Laine Brewing (Acton) (Aeronaut) W3, Ealing, brewpub, 2013-17.
Laine Brewing (Battersea) (Four Thieves) SW11, Wandsworth, brewpub, 2015-20.
Laine’s Brew Lab (People’s Park Tavern) E9, Hackney, brewpub, 2014-22.
Lamb W4, Hounslow, brewpub, 2012-13: see Brewhouse and Kitchen.
Left Bank E17, Waltham Forest, 2014-16: moved outside London.
Little Brew NW1, Camden, 2012-13: moved outside London, later closed.
London Beer Factory SE27, Lambeth, 2014-22, moved outside London.
Lonesome Brewing SW16, Lambeth, 2016-17.
Mad Yank Brewery (The) HA5, Hillingdon, 2019-23
Magic Spells Brewery E10, Waltham Forest, 2017-21, likely moved outside London.
Mann Crossman & Paulin (Watney Mann) E1, Tower Hamlets, c1673-1979, moved outside London.
Maregade E9, Hackney, 2015-19.
Market Brewery (Market Porter, also known as Beach’s Ales) SE1, Southwark, brewpub, 1981-84, 1985-88.
Mash W1, Westminster, brewpub, 1998-2006.
McDonnell’s (Antigallican) SE7, Greenwich 1983-89 (originally at Queen Victoria SE18).
Meantime Brewing (Asahi) SE10, Greenwich, 2000-2024, production moved to Fuller’s.
Mellor’s Brewing Co SE8, Lewisham, 2021, continued as cuckoo brewer though wound up early 2024.
Moncada Brewery NW2, Brent, 2011-21.
Monkey Chews (Montague Arms) SE15, Lewisham, brewpub, 2015.
Oddly Beer N11, Friern Barnet, 2017-23.
O’Hanlon’s Brewery SE11, Lambeth, 1996-2000, moved out of London and later renamed Hanlons.
Old Brewery Greenwich SE10, Greenwich, brewpub, 2010-16: see Meantime Brewing Company.
Old Kent Road Brewery SE6, Lewisham, 2019-22.
Old London Bridge Brewery (formerly Bishop’s) SE1, Southwark, 1993-1998.
Old Street Brewery E9, Tower Hamlets, formerly Queens Head, 2015-2023.
OMEBEER (formerly One Mile End Brewery) N17, Haringey, 2013-23
Orange Clifton Inns/Scottish & Newcastle) SW1, Westminster, brewpub, 1983-2001.
Original Brewing Co (Hollywood Bowl Finchley, Bass) N12, Barnet, brewpub, 1996-2000.
Original Brewing Co (Hollywood Bowl Surrey Quays, Bass) SE16, Southwark, brewpub, 1998-2000.
Pacific Oriental EC2, City of London, 1999-2005.
Parakeet City Brewing W5, Ealing, 2020-22.
Partizan Brewing SE16, Southwark, 2012-2023, moved outside London.
Pharoah and Firkin (Bruce’s/Allied) SW6, Hammersmith & Fulham, brewpub 1994-99.
Philatelist and Firkin (Bruce’s/Allied) BR1, Bromley, brewpub 1997-99.
Phoenix and Firkin (Bruce’s/Allied) SE5, Southwark, brewpub 1984-99.
Photographer and Firkin (Bruce’s/Allied) W5, Ealing, brewpub 1995-99.
Pitfield Brewery N1, Hackney, 1981-89 and 1996-2006, brewing outside London until 2018.
Prince (House Brewery) N22, Haringey, brewpub, 2017-19.
Project 88 (Beer + Burger) NW2, Brent, brewpub, 2017-18.
Queen’s Head Shoreditch (AB InBev, formerly Goose Island Brewpub Shoreditch) E1, Hackney, brewpub, 2018-22.
Ram Inn (Laine/Punch, formerly SlyBeast) SW18, Wandsworth, brewpub, 2019-24.
Redchurch Brewery E2, Tower Hamlets, 2011-19: moved outside London and under new ownership following administration.
Reid’s Griffin Brewery EC1, Islington, c1690-1899: see Stag Brewery.
Reunion Ales TW13, Hounslow, 2016-20.
Rocky Head Brewery SW18, Wandsworth, 2012-17.
SALT London (Ossett, formerly Hop Stuff) SE28, Greenwich, 2013-2023, brewing outside London.
Scanlon’s Fine Ales UB7, Hillingdon, 1996-97.
Second Wave Brewing SE27, Lambeth, 2019.
Short Stack (Howling Hops, Cock Tavern) E8, Hackney, brewpub, 2012-19, with gaps.
Soho Brewing Company: see Freedom Brewery.
Solvay Society E11, Waltham Forest, 2014-22.
Stag Brewery (AB InBev) SW14, Richmond upon Thames, c1765-2015.
Still and Star E1, City of London, brewpub, 2014-15.
Strawman Brewery SE15, Lewisham, 2013-15.
Streatham Brewing (Railway) SW16, Lambeth, brewpub, 2016-18.
Sultan SW19, Merton, brewpub 2015.
Taylor Walker E14, Tower Hamlets, c1735-1960: see Ind Coope.
Three Hills Brewing The Outpost SE16, Southwark, 2020-23, brewing outside London.
Three Sods Brewery E8, Hackney, 2015-22.
Tolly Cobbold Walthamstow E17, Waltham Forest, 1859-1971.
Tooley Street Brewery SE1, Southwark, 1984-85.
Truman’s Brewery (Watney Mann Truman) (Black Eagle, Truman Hanbury & Buxton) E1, Tower Hamlets, 1666-1989. See also Big Penny.
Two Finches N3, Barnet, 2015-18.
UBREW SE16, Southwark, 2015-19.
Union Brewery (B&W Beer Co) UB3, Hillingdon, 1982-83.
W1 (Burlington Arms) W1, Westminster, brewpub 2015-17.
Watling Street Beer N17, Haringey, 2019-20.
Watney Combe Reid (Stag Brewery Pimlico) SW1, Westminster, c1641-1959: see Stag Brewery.
Weird Beard Brew Co W7, Ealing, 2013-22, brand sold and production moved from London.
Whitbread Brewery EC1, City of London, Islington, c1686-1976.
Wild Card Brewery E17, Waltham Forest, 2014-24.
Yorkshire Grey (Clifton Inns/Scottish & Newcastle) WC1, Camden, brewpub 1984-2001.
Young & Co’s Brewery (Ram Brewery) SW18, Wandsworth, 1533-2006, continued as private brewery, see also Ram Inn, Sambrook’s.
Zebrano: see Freedom Brewery.

See also the list of currently suspended breweries on the London breweries page.

Ownership and name changes

B&W Beer Co: see Union Brewery.
Beach’s Ales: see Old London Bridge Brewery.
Bishop’s Brewery: see Old London Bridge Brewery.
BREAL, later Keystone: see BBNo and Brick.
Brewheadz: see ORA.
Canopy: see Bird House.
Chudley & Co: see Godson Chudley & Co.
Clarence and Fredericks: see Volden.
Ealing Brewing: see Marko Paulo Brewery.
Ellenberg’s Brewery: see Weird Beard.
Enefeld: see Enfield Brewery.
Essex Street Brewing: see Temple Brew House.
Friendship Adventure: see Supercute Brewery.
Fuller, Smith & Turner: see Fuller’s Griffin Brewery.
Goose Island Brewpub Shoreditch: see Queen’s Head Shoreditch.
Greenwich Brewery: see Up the Creek.
Ha’penny: see Solvay Society.
Hale: see Exale.
Hawley Wharf Brewing Company: see 3 Locks Brewing Company.
Hop Stuff: see SALT London.
Kew Brewery: see CTZN Brew.
Keystone: see BBNo and Brick.
Late Knights: see Southey.
Little Creatures Regents Canal: see Babel Beerhouse.
London Brewing (Highgate): see Gorgeous. Note London Brewing (North Finchley) is still operating.
London Fields: see Saint Monday.
Meantime: see Fuller’s.
No Heroes: see Better World.
One Mile End: see OMEBEER.
Queens Head: see Old Street.
Simon’s Tower Bridge Brewery: see Bridge Brewery.
SlyBeast: see Ram Inn (Laine).
Small Beer Brewing Company: see Concrete Island (not to be confused with Small Beer Brew Co SE16).
Spartan Brewery: see Battersea Brewery for original premises, though brand may return.
St Felix Place: see Flat Iron Square.
Tower Brewery: see Bridge Brewery.
Truman’s Beer: see Big Penny.
Watney Mann Truman (Grand Metropolitan): see Stag Brewery.

For currently active breweries, see London breweries.

Old Street Brewery

Includes information for Queens Head brewpub.

Closed brewery, former brewpub
Original site: Queens Head, 66 Acton Street WC1X 9NB (Camden)
Second site: 11 Gales Gardens E2 0EJ (Tower Hamlets)
Current site: 1 Queens Yard, White Post Lane E9 5EN (Tower Hamlets)
oldstreet.beer
First sold beer: January 2015 (as Queens Head), March 2018 (as Old Street)
Ceased brewing: December 2023

The Old Street story started in 2013 when staff at the Queens Head pub near Kings Cross first attempted brewing under the name Against the Grain. Initial experiments weren’t successful but, following long delays and the installation of a new, very small 1 hl kit, consistency and quality became good enough to sell the beers in the pub, where they were simply branded with the pub name.

In October 2016, two keen staff members from related beer bar Mother Kellys, Adam Green from Arizona and Andreas Wegelius from Finland, took over brewing duties. They renamed the operation Old Street Brewery after the location of the flat where they had begun homebrewing — rather confusingly as the brewery itself has never been based there.

Activities at the pub stopped in May 2017 so the kit, now resourcefully adapted to double its capacity, was relocated to a Bethnal Green railway arch with space for a taproom, opened in April 2018. The brewhouse was replaced a year later by a much bigger 10 hl kit formerly at Pressure Drop.

Further expansion followed in November 2020 when production shifted to a more expansive location, also with a taproom, amid the cluster of breweries in Queens Yard, Hackney Wick, neighbouring Crate, Howling Hops and Truman’s.

The Bethnal Green arch initially continued in use as a bar but the brewery closed this down in November 2021 to concentrate on the Old Street site, which also featured live music.

Components of the beer menu frame a tank at Old Street’s old Bethnal Green site.

Like many others, Old Street struggled to survive following the 2020-21 Covid-19 lockdowns, a challenge exacerbated by rent increases. It last brewed in December 2023 and had closed for good by mid-April 2024.

Nearly all the beer was sold through the taproom, from keg and sometimes cask, with occasional mobile canning runs.

Updated 5 June 2024.

More London brewers

Pressure Drop Brewing

Brewery
Original site: 5B Wilmer Business Park, Wilmer Place N16 0LW (Hackney)
Second site: 19 Bohemia Place E8 1DU (Hackney)
Current site: 6 Lockwood Industrial Park, Mill Mead Road N17 9QP (Haringey)
pressuredropbrewing.co.uk
First sold beer: 12 January 2013

Former Euston Tap cellarman Graham O’Brien and Sam Smith (no relation to the famous Yorkshire brewing family) are old school friends, and Graham met the third partner in Pressure Drop, Ben Freeman, on an internship at London Fields. They developed their first recipes on a Braumeister pilot brewery in Graham’s garden shed in Stoke Newington in the summer of 2012, but lack of space meant much of the work was done outside – which they quickly realised wasn’t a viable option with winter on its way.

The first commercial brews emerged from a small industrial unit nearby, then in March 2013 they moved to a Hackney railway arch using an 8 hl kit from ABUK. This soon also proved too small, despite the addition of fermenters bought second-hand from Beavertown during one of its various moves.

Over the course of 2017, production was transferred to a new 32 hl Gravity Systems brewhouse, new fermenters and a canning line in a much bigger space with a generous taproom in Tottenham Hale, coincidentally just opposite Beavertown on the same industrial estate. The Hackney arch was restyled as The Experiment bar, operated jointly with Cornwall’s Verdant Brewing. This closed in July 2023 following the expiry of the lease and a failure to renew at an affordable rent.

Pressure Drop’s current Tottenham brewhouse.

Pressure Drop brews a variety of contemporary beers in keg and can.

Updated 1 September 2023.

More London brewers

°Plato Brewing

Closed brewery
23 Westgate Street E8 3RL (Hackney)
First sold beer: September 2014
Ceased brewing: July 2016

This brewing supplies stall run by Canadian-born Adam Khedheri at Netil Market near London Fields also sold own-brewed beers created on a 1.2 hl homebrewing kit in a tiny unit constructed of recycled containers, mainly for sale on draught for visitors to the market. The stall had closed by July 2016 and brewing ceased.

Last updated 4 January 2020

Partizan Brewing

Brewery, no longer in London
Original site: 8 Almond Road SE16 3LR (Southwark)
Second site: 34 Raymouth Road SE16 2DB (Southwark)
partizanbrewing.co.uk
First sold beer: November 2012
Ceased brewing in London: 10 March 2023

Former chef, White Horse Parsons Green cellarman and Redemption brewer Andy Smith had the opportunity to create his own brewery when the Kernel upgraded and offered him its old 6.5 hl kit. Although Andy was initially concerned about seeming too much in the Kernel’s shadow, Partizan eventually settled on a railway arch in an area known locally as the Blue close by, becoming the second of the Bermondsey breweries.

Early in 2015, it took over the next-door arch, number 7, in preparation for a new brewhouse with a 25 hl AB-UK mash tun and a copper which the brewers converted themselves from a former power station water tank spotted rusting in a Yorkshire field. The old kit was gifted once again to Cyclic Beer Farm in Barcelona, co-founded by former head brewer Josh Wheeler.

The brewery moved to a much bigger arch around the corner in November 2017, taking the brewhouse but adding a six new Malrex cylindroconical fermenters and a small bottling line. Further, larger fermenters were added in 2021. The taproom had unique bar fonts designed by Alec Doherty, an old friend of Andy’s who has long been responsible for the distinctive branding and labels.

Four other breweries have since occupied its former arches: Affinity and then Three Hills in arch 7 and Spartan then Battersea in arch 8.

With rents on the arch increasing, Partizan had long considered a move out of London and with footfall in the taproom failing to return to pre-lockdown levels, matters came to a head in early 2023. The taproom closed at short notice in March, with the assets sold to Langton Brewing in Market Harborough where Andy will continue to brew the brands, so at least Partizan beers will continue to be available.

Perhaps the most significant post-Covid loss to London brewing, the departure of Partizan was also a notable development in Bermondsey following Anspach & Hobday and BBNo relocating production elsewhere, significantly reducing the brewery total in what has long been regarded as the capital’s craft brewing crucible. The changes undoubtedly reflect the more aggressive approach of new landlords the Arch Co.

Partizan brewed beers for keg, can and bottle in a wide range of styles. Reflecting Andy’s background, restaurants made up a significant proportion of customers.

Updated 29 September 2023.

More London brewers

The Park Brewery

Brewery
Original site: 95 Elm Road, Kingston upon Thames KT2 6HX (Kingston upon Thames)
Current site: 7 Hampden Road, Kingston upon Thames KT1 3LG (Kingston upon Thames)
theparkbrewery.com
First sold beer: March 2014

Originally, the Park Brewery was a very small 1.5 hl operation in Kingston started by husband and wife team Josh and Frankie Kearns to brew bottled beers for the Jam Tree pubs in Clapham and Chelsea. It was named for its proximity to Richmond Park.

Activities soon expanded and diversified, initially growing to a 6 hl kit, but problems with the premises led to the suspension of brewing in March 2018. For a while beer was cuckoo-brewed at Reunion Ales and Hop Back in Wiltshire.

A crowdfunding campaign allowed a move to the current, larger, site on a small industrial estate. Production restarted in February 2019 on a 25 hl brewhouse custom-made by Johnson Brewing Design, with space to expand further and a taproom upstairs.

Stylish alternative to a real animal head in the Park taproom.

The move was overseen by head brewer Adam Hardy, formerly at Reunion, who has since moved on, replaced by Phil Banks, ex-Battersea.

Park opened a second, non-brewing outlet in March 2024, Park Brew and Kitchen, only a short walk from the southwest corner of Richmond Park.

Beer is packaged in keg, cask and can and most of the names have some connection to the park.

Updated 21 October 2024.

More London brewers

Orbit Beers

Brewery
225 Fielding Street SE17 3HD (Southwark)
(Taproom at 233 Fielding Street SE17 3HJ)
orbitbeers.com
First sold beer: August 2014

Robert Middleton worked in occupational pensions until deciding to take a career break travelling round his native Scotland visiting breweries, resulting in a book, The Tea Leaf Paradox: Discovering Beer in the Land of Whisky, and a keen interest in brewing. With the help of Stuart Medcalf of Twickenham Fine Ales, he set up this 16 hl plant in a railway arch under the Thameslink Sutton branch, with branding that reflected his love of music and vinyl records.

Fermentation capacity was subsequently increased several times and the brewery expanded to occupy four arches. In July 2021 it took on two further arches on the other side of Fielding Street as a dedicated taproom. An enlarged brewhouse is planned for 2022.

The current head brewer is Paul Straget, formerly at now-defunct Mad Hatter in Liverpool.

Orbit’s Digger series, best stored in dusty crates.

Beers are in keg or bottled on the brewery’s own line. An initial focus on beers inspired by German and other European traditional styles has since broadened out, though the musical influence remains, with graphics based on amplifier controls used in the descriptions on the labels.

Updated 15 December 2021.

More London brewers

OMEBEER

Formerly One Mile End, Mulligans.

Closed brewery, former brewpub
Original site: White Hart, 1 Mile End Road E1 4TP (Tower Hamlets)
Second site: 2 Compass West Estate, West Road N17 0XL (Haringey)
First sold beer: June 2013 (at original site as Mulligans; second site first sold beer as Redemption February 2010)
Ceased brewing: January 2023

The brewery commenced operations in 2013 on a small 4 hl kit in the cellar of the White Hart in Whitechapel. At first it was known as Mulligans but was very soon rebranded to One Mile End after the address of the pub. Under the skilled guidance of head brewer Simon McCabe, a former musician recruited from Redemption, demand soon grew beyond the pub.

When Redemption expanded to a bigger site in March 2016, One Mile End took over its former Tottenham premises and 20 hl brewhouse. Simon moved on early in 2018 and is now making both wine and beer at the Nota Winery in Finland. His replacement as head brewer was former geologist Pierre Warburton.

The brewhouse at the White Hart remained unused on site for some time, but was removed in September 2022 when the pub was sold to McMullen brewery of Hertford. Soon afterwards, the Tottenham brewery rebranded to OMEBEER as it no longer maintained a link with the pub.

Business under the new brand lasted only a few months before closure early in 2023.

The old Redemption brewhouse still in use at One Mile End.

Beers were in contemporary style in cask, keg and can, using a mobile canning line, with occasional bottle-conditioned specials.

Updated 5 March 2023.

More London brewers

Monkey Chews (Montague Arms)

Monkey Chews Brewery, London SE15. Pic: South East London CAMRA.

Closed brewpub
Montague Arms, 289 Queens Road SE15 2PA
First sold beer: June 2015
Ceased brewing: by end 2015

The landmark Montague Arms, a big roadside pub between New Cross and Peckham which was once renowned as a music venue, was rescued from potential closure in 2014. Brewing equipment was delivered in May 2015 and the first beers were sold shortly afterwards, under the name Monkey Chews after a bar previously run by owner Noel Gale. The experiment proved short-lived, with no house beer appearing beyond the end of that year. The pub closed in January 2018, and the brewhouse had been removed when it reopened under new ownership a few months later. It closed again in July 2019, though may reopen under yet another new owner in 2020.

Updated 6 January 2020

Mondo Brewing (Hogs Back)

Brewery
86 Stewarts Road SW8 4UG (Wandsworth)
mondobrewingcompany.com
First sold beer: April 2015

In a distinctive industrial building on a quiet street between Battersea Power Station and Clapham, Mondo was created by two US expat homebrewers, Tom Palmer and Todd Matteson.

After some early pilot beers at UBREW, it began commercial production in March 2015 with a 10 hl kit from Zip Technologies in Hungary. A replacement 20 hl brewhouse was installed in 2017, followed by additional fermentation capacity and a new canning line in 2019. The site has long boasted a dedicated taproom, and in March 2023 a second venue opened at Borough Yards SE1, in partnership with a pizza maker, though this had closed by early 2024.

The company went into a prepack administration in April 2024, becoming a sister business of Hogs Back Brewery in Surrey when the latter’s owner, Rupert Thompson, invested in setting up a new company to buy it out. But there are apparently no plans to move production out of London: the deal is promised to ‘secure the future’ of the Battersea site, where further investment is planned in the taproom.

Beers are in keg, can and bottle.

Updated 29 April 2024.

More London brewers

Beer Culture with Des de Moor

They say…

Recent Posts

Categories

Ads

Closed and renamed London breweries

Ownership and name changes

Old Street Brewery

Pressure Drop Brewing

°Plato Brewing

Partizan Brewing

The Park Brewery

Orbit Beers

OMEBEER

Monkey Chews (Montague Arms)

Mondo Brewing (Hogs Back)

Cask

London’s Best Beer

Subscribe!

@desdemoor

Beer links

They say…

Recent Posts

Categories

Tags

Ads

Ownership and name changes

Cask

London’s Best Beer

Subscribe!

@desdemoor

Beer links