The award-winning brewery and taproom will cease trading next month
An award-winning brewery and taproom in East London has announced its shock closure after seven years due to a “really, really difficult” time behind the scenes. Queer Brewing, the UK’s first queer and trans-owned brewery, will cease trading within Leyton Industrial Village on Friday, July 31.
Confirming the sad news on the first day of Pride month (June 1), founder Lily Waite-Marsden said operating was simply no longer viable. Speaking on Instagram, she told followers: “We realise this may come as a shock; we’re busier than we ever have been, the beer’s tasting better than ever, we’re exporting to countries that we could only have dreamed of a few years ago, and you know everything seems like it’s working, but behind the scenes it’s been really really difficult.
“Unfortunately, none of that gets us to where we need to be. For a number of reasons we’ve not been able to make ends meet. As much as we push and try and try and squeeze as much beer out of the brewery as we can, and as much as we try and sell every drop and do everything that we can, we just can’t do it anymore.”
She added the company is going out on their own terms without putting the team at risk of burnout, stress and exhaustion. This will involve brewing beers with new names, fun merchandise and a potential farewell bash.
Lily added: “We don’t know what all of that will look like yet. This is still relatively fresh to us. This is still really painful and a really difficult thing to go through, figure out, decide the next steps of.”
She went on to shout out everyone who has bought Queer Brewing beers over the years, saying: “Thanks for keeping a bunch of queers in employment in an industry that has historically not been hospitable to us. Thank you for letting us make a difference and telling us about the difference we make.”
Queer Brewing first launched in 2019 with a mission of taking up space in an industry dominated by cisgender, heterosexual, male voices. The team now produces IPAs, pale ales, and pilsners in the heart of Waltham Forest.
The products have gone on to win several awards, as well as recognition for making the beer industry a more welcoming and inclusive space. The closure announcement was met with disappointment from both fans and brewery peers.
Beak Brewery, an independent business based in Lewes, wrote online: “Absolutely gutted to hear this. Honestly a bit lost for words, other than to say thank you for enriching the beer scene over the last seven years. Your impact has meant so much to so many. You’ll be missed immensely, never forgotten, and always welcome at Beak.”
Hackney’s Five Points Brewing Company added: “ We are truly sorry to hear this Lily. You and your team’s mission has been a vital part of the brewing scene, and the lasting impact you’ve made won’t be forgotten anytime soon.”
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