Love a few beers, but hate the hangovers? You’re far from alone. Imagine if you could enjoy a fresh hoppy pint (maybe even more than one?) and the next day still have your wits about you. That’s where Small Beer comes in. This month for This Must Be The Space, we’re featuring the sustainably made, low-alcohol-beer-making microbrewery Small Beer Brew Co. in London. Curious about that hangoverless beverage? Well, let us tell you more…
Small Beer Brew Co., photo by Aluma Ngoh
First, a little background. Small beer is commonly known as one with a lower alcohol percentage, somewhere roughly under three percent. Back in the Middle Ages, nearly everyone was having it, as the low percentage made it more of a thirst-quenching drink than a boozy one. But around the 19th century, public water filtration systems were developed, and the beer became a thing of the past.
Now, flash forward to about 2017, when James Grundy had been working in the gin industry and was thinking about the world of beer and all the heavy, high percentages.
“There wasn’t really anything that allowed for the enjoyment without the head-in-hands moment the next day,” James said.
Not too long after, he and Felix James joined forces, and from it came a revival of small beer, and a brewery, fittingly, called Small Beer Brew Co.
Small Beer Brew Co., photo by Arianna Cavalensi
“The acoustics in here are amazing,” James said. “When the lights go down and the festive lighting goes on, it’s a beautiful space to come enjoy some live music or spoken word.”
The brewery, tucked in Bermondsey, is a mix of cozy and science lab-esque, with metal staircases tucked between the giant brewing kit conducting reverse osmosis, fermenting, and distilling the liquid into tasty little beers.
Typically curling up on the floor of an active brewing room might not be the most comfortable, as the floors can often be wet. But Small Beer runs a dry floor space. In fact, they’re committed to being as sustainable with their water as possible, using as little water as possible when brewing their beer. They’re also London’s first B Corp certified brewery, and donate one percent of their proceeds to sustainable efforts.
Small Beer Brew Co., photo by Roberta Barzaghi
Maybe your next Sofar in London will bring you to Small Beer, where you can hear the artist’s voices ring out against the stainless steel, and enjoy a light lager or a session pale.
“You can be absolutely sharp as a button for the music, and bright as a button next day,” James said.
Words by Sofar Editorial Team
Photo credit: Small Beer Brew Co., photo by Arianna Cavalensi
