#156 | Beer, Brewing and London Life

Some things are just meant to be. And today’s guests are an example of just that. When Young’s ceased its London brewing operations in 2006, it looked to signal the end of a historic site where beer has been brewed since at least 1533. The brewery would officially close on 25th September 2006 but, thanks to John Hatch, a nano-brewery was kept on-site throughout construction and development. This ensured that Ram Quarter would remain Britain’s oldest continuous working brewery. And two years later in 2008 a new brewery – Sambrook’s – was founded just down the road in Battersea. In the decade that would follow, Sambrook’s would go from strength-to-strength accelerating its need for new premises. And in the same period, development plans for Ram Quarter continued at pace. Thankfully its owners Greenland Group had developed a vision of the quarter’s industrial brewing heritage through discussions with Wandsworth Council and other key stakeholders. Come 2019 Roger Mears Architects was appointed to work with Sambrook’s Brewery on its relocation to the Ram Quarter. The project provided a solution to the vacant site addressing the setting through the creation of a working Brewery linked to a Taproom and a Heritage Centre and shop. And in opening its new site, the Sambrook’s team would welcome the legendary John Hatch to their team. As someone who had kept brewing going on the site, brewery founder Duncan Sambrook and the team knew that John becoming part of Sambrook’s made complete and total sense for all involved. As heritage brewer at Sambrook’s John complements a brewing team led by head brewer Harley Williams, an experienced leader that helped oversee the move to the company’s fantastic new premises. In this episode we speak to John and Harley about life in Wandsworth, John’s storied brewing background, their love and commitment to cask and how, together, they continue to help make Sambrook’s a beer destination in the capital that’s not to be missed.