Duke’s Brew and Que: Beavertown closes De Beauvoir pub where its first beer was brewed
Duke's Brew and Que in Downham Road. Picture: Ewan Munro (CC BY-SA 2.0) - Credit: Archant
Hackney craft beer giant Beavertown has suddenly closed the De Beauvoir pub where it brewed its first beer, saying it is “no longer a natural fit” for its future.
The shock decision to shut Duke’s Brew and Que, which was Beavertown’s only remaining venture in Hackney, was announced yesterday afternoon. The last pint at the bustling boozer has now been poured – and gobsmacked regulars have set up a petition calling on bosses to “open your doors for ONE last time so we can say goodbye properly”.
Menawhile, the brewery has said it is doing its best to assist staff “so no one is left in a bad situation” with Christmas looming.
Opened by Robert Plant’s son Logan and chef Byron Knight in 2011, the Downham Road pub’s kitchen is where the first batches of the now ubiquitous Gamma Ray, Neck Oil and 8 ball were brewed.
“This announcement might seem like it’s coming out of the blue, but the decision has been far from easy,” Logan wrote on the Beavertown website. “It’s been a very challenging, lengthy process but the conclusion is that we close Duke’s immediately.
Beavertown Brewery owner Logan Plant. Picture: Dieter Perry - Credit: Archant
“There is no hidden scandal or drama behind the decision. Since we opened Duke’s, London’s beer and BBQ scene has changed immensely and as a business is now no longer a natural fit for Beavertown’s future.”
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When pushed by punters on Twitter, the brewery explained there was nothing “fishy” going on, saying: “Duke’s did not make it as a business any more. We tried to make it work for a long time but we had no choice but to close.”
Logan, whose original recipe for Neck Oil was an homage to his Black Country roots via the famous bitter Bathams, added that the money from Duke’s had allowed the start-up to brew more beer, before first moving the brewery to Hackney Wick and then on to Tottenham Hale.
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“While this road has come to an end, Beavertown is full steam ahead on its journey,” he added. “We are looking forward to an exciting future but will never forget the memories, the great friends and our birthplace.”
Bottles coming off the production line at Beavertown Brewery's new Tottenham Hale HQ. Picture: Dieter Perry - Credit: Archant
