In 2010, I helped bring together a small group of London brewers to form what became the London Brewers Alliance. The idea grew out of time I'd spent in California, where organisations like the San Francisco Brewers Guild had fostered a strong "drink local" culture — something that felt missing in London at the time.

Alongside co-founders Steve Skinner and Angelo Scarnera, we invited London's breweries to a dinner at Brew Wharf in Southwark. Ten showed up, including Fuller's, and the Alliance took shape from there. The early ambition was modest: just to get people talking and connecting on a social level.

Early days: London brewers gathering at one of the first Alliance events

What followed surprised us all. A collaborative brew — hosted by Andy Moffat at Redemption Brewing — became one of the first multi-brewery beer collaborations in the UK. By September 2010, we launched the London Brewers Showcase at Brew Wharf, bringing together thirteen breweries including Camden, Fuller's, and By The Horns. The event helped shine a light on London's emerging craft brewing scene, and by the following year it had outgrown the venue entirely.

The LBA has since grown far beyond those early conversations, but I'm proud to have played a part in getting it started.