#203 | New Beginnings – Fourman Brewery

Being part of the teams at two of the UK’s most regarded breweries is good going by anyone’s standards. But for Robin Head-Fourman, the opportunity to open a brewery of his own was an opportunity that was too hard to turn down. And in doing so, represents the latest stage in a decorated brewing career. And if you don’t know him personally, there’s a good chance you have enjoyed a beer he has brewed. Part of the revered Burning Sky in Firle since 2016, he would go on to join a fellow Sussex brewery in Beak during their infancy. Here, as head brewer for more than four years, he and the team helped grow the business to become one of the UK’s best modern breweries. Robin’s professional brewing story started back in 2014 where he completed his MSc in Brewing and Distilling at Heriot-Watt in Edinburgh. It was the latest stage of a journey that had seen Robin brew beer at home – long before it was legal for him to drink it. But during his time at Heriot-Watt, he would meet Burning Sky founder Mark Tranter who gave Robin invaluable work experience at the brewery he would eventually go on to join. Several years later, when Robin got word that Leeds-native Danny Tapper was to start a new brewery in Sussex, a meeting arranged by mutual friend Jonny Hamilton, would help set the foundations of Beak Brewery firmly in place. Part of a team completed by head of operations and sales Katerina Türková, Beak has grown and evolved since opening its doors during the pandemic-enforced lockdown in 2020. But after a rewarding stint at Beak, another brewing opportunity appeared somewhat out of nowhere. And it was the chance to do something different – something on his own. Following an eight-year closure, The Trevor Arms pub in Glynde, East Sussex reopened earlier this year. Now run by Steve Keegan and Bethany Warren, there was scope for a brewing operation on-site. And in a case of right place, right time, Robin’s wife Katie got word of the new establishment. And just like that, Fourman Brewery was born… In this episode, Robin takes us through his career to-date, why this new opportunity was too difficult to turn down and how he is now using his wealth of brewing expertise to create excellent, small-batch beers in East Sussex. Photo Credit: Alex Catt