Lion Brewery Co is re-launching in London after a 72-year hiatus, bringing two of its flagship brews to the UK: Pale Ale and Island Lager.
The original Lion Brewery Co dates back to 1836 when, from London, it shipped generously hopped ales, made to endure long sea passages, to trading posts around the world.
When the brewery was damaged by fire and closed in 1949, the iconic lion statues were preserved at the request of King George VI. They can still be found today — one is The Southbank Lion, opposite the Houses of Parliament, and the other, now painted gold, guards the entrance of Twickenham Stadium, home of English rugby.
“Our ancestors in London would have been drinking Lion Brewery Co’s IPA throughout the Victorian era,” Harry Renshaw, co-founder of the new company. “It was the brewery’s history, along with the unusual connection between our British birthplace and temporary home in Singapore — the Lion City and a key trading post — that compelled us to resurrect the brand.”
He and Ben Hendry-Prior, Brits living in Singapore with a strong passion for high-quality beers, began brewing in their kitchens back in 2018. They were intent on creating a delicious, easy-drinking beer with the very finest ingredients, bridging the gap between quirky craft and commercial offerings. They soon brought in support from fellow beer lovers and friends, Will Julius, now manager in Singapore, and, more recently, Jack Wilson, manager of the UK and Europe, and Ben’s brother-in-law.
“After many trials and tests on our ever-patient friends and family, our final product received such an enthusiastic response that we decided to release it for the rest of the market to enjoy and we’ve never looked back,” said Harry.
Subscribing to the era of mindful living, Lion Brewery Co beers are unpasteurised to preserve the flavour, good yeasts, and enzymes, have a moderate alcohol content, and are made with all-natural ingredients. Beers are packaged in cans, which are recyclable, lighter to transport, and keep beer fresh.
In Singapore, Lion Brewery Co is making rapid steps towards its goal of becoming carbon negative, with schemes such as its reforestation project, which plants a tree for every keg sold. There are plans to extend this scheme to the UK soon.
Lion Brewery Co has released its flagship Pale Ale and Island Lager, both brewed in the UK, with more beers on the way.
Pale Ale is golden and balanced, single hopped with Citra for notes of lychee and citrus. Crisp and clean Island Lager is dry-hopped with Hallertau Blanc for an elderflower and pine aroma.
