Ram Quarter’s John Hatch has been named ‘Brewer of the Year’ in recognition of his work with Greenland to maintain the development’s unique brewing tradition – protecting its status as the UK’s oldest continuously brewing site.
The British Guild of Beer Writers presented the prestigious award to John to celebrate the achievement, describing the “enormous respect” this had earned from the brewing sector.
Young’s sold its historic site in Wandsworth in 2006, and there were concerns that Ram Quarter's brewing tradition, which stretches back unbroken to at least 1533, might have been at risk. However a nanobrewery was set up to enable brewing to continue, and with Greenland's support this was maintained throughout the site's redevelopment – and throughout the pandemic too.
The British Guild of Beer Writers presented the award to John Hatch after he received the highest number of votes in a poll of the Guild’s members. This year’s award was sponsored by SIBA (Society of Independent Brewers), which champions independent brewing in Britain.
This is only the latest recognition of the work undertaken to safeguard Ram Quarter’s brewing legacy – following the recent award by CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) of the 'John Young Memorial Award' to John Hatch for his work with Greenland. Named after long-time Young’s Brewery chairman John Young, the accolade celebrates those who champion real ale within Greater London.
The story of brewing at Ram Quarter began a new chapter this year as Greenland welcomed independent brewery Sambrook’s to the site. Relocating its beermaking operations, Sambrook’s has opened a thriving new tap room and Heritage Centre. John has taken a role at Sambrook’s, and thus continues his long relationship with the site and with Wandsworth’s brewing tradition.
Taotao Song, CEO of Greenland UK, said: “Few places in the UK have such a special place in the nation’s beermaking history as Ram Quarter, and we are very pleased to have been able to support John’s hard work, ensuring that this unique brewing tradition remains alive and well for future generations. It’s fantastic now to have Sambrook’s brewing here and doing so well. Here’s to the next 500 years of successful brewing at Ram Quarter!”