UK’S FIRST ‘GUERILLA-BREWERY’ TO OPEN DURING LONDON BEER WEEK
A new type of brewery – where members brew their own beer – is set to open their doors on the famous Bermondsey Mile during London Beer Week (16th -22nd February).
UBREW, has already got a community of over 300 paying members and over 100 investors helping to raise over £90,000 through the crowdfunding platform, Crowdcube. These funds will used to pay for professional micro-brewing equipment, fitting out the Bermondsey space as well as paying the rent and staff.
The members and investors are either craft beer lovers who already brew at home but want to use the stainless steel, micro-brewery kit or people who just want to learn something new and give it a go through a brewing course. UBREW have also received interest from a number of small ‘guerilla or gypsy brewers’ who already brew commercially but can’t afford to buy their own brewery.
Earlier this year, UBREW founders, Matthew Denham and Wilf Horsfall, saw an opportunity to bridge the gap between home brew and craft beer – and the market responded by overfunding by over 300% to raise more than £12,000 in initial pre-sales.
Matt Denham said: “We’re stoked to be able launch the UK’s first ‘Guerilla-brewery’ on the famous Bermondsey Beer Mile. By opening during London Beer Week, we hope to build our membership base even further, generate further awareness in brewing and help launch the next Brewdog or similar brands.”
Wilf Hosfall said “UBREW provides a space to brew as well bringing together a great community of hobbyist and expert brewers. We’re gonna have a lot of fun putting on a big party during London Beer Week and running loads of great brewing courses as well as taster sessions.”
Hannah Sharman-Cox, founder of London Beer Week said: “This is great news for the beer community and we’re really looking forward to having UBREW open its doors and joining our list of events during London Beer Week. From our experience of running London Cocktail Week and London Wine Week, we know that our guests always want to have a go at something new, and we’re excited about showcasing new initiatives as part of our festival’s celebration of London’s rich brewing culture and history.”
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Notes to Editors:
For press enquiries please contact Andrew Hadfield on 07515882355 or email ahadfield@mavincomms.com
Please note that the UBREW space in Bermondsey is currently being fitted out and will not be open to the media. The event details for London Beer Week and trial brewing courses in advance of opening for press will be provided shortly. If you would like to receive details of these then please contact Andrew.
More pictures and Q+As are available here: http://bit.ly/UBREWpresspics
Further information:
The Craft beer market has been estimated to be now worth £225m in Great Britain – a growth of 79% on the previous 12months. Research done in August 2013 by food & drink consultants CGA Strategy.
Monthly membership costs start from £40 for a twelve month contract (with enough time to brew 210 bottles = 19p per bottle, plus ingredients) and all pre-launch memberships are shared between up to five friends. A course from a master brewer normally costs £85.
More details about UBREW can be found at www.ubrew.cc and on the recent Crowdfunding Campaign site and video: http://www.crowdcube.com/UBREW
Andrew Hadfield
Director
Mavin Communications
1st Floor, New Zealand House
80 Haymarket
London, SW1Y 4TE 07515882355
www.mavincomms.com
@mavincomms