Welcome to Behind The Brew, where we shine a light on the incredible people who make SMALL BEER what it is. Every team member plays a unique role, each a vital cog in the Small Beer machine, working differently but coming together to craft something truly special.
This week, we spoke with Ben March, more affectionately known as ‘Marchy’ in the brewery. Four years in, and firmly part of the furniture (some of which he may or may not have built himself), Ben is a core part of the SMALL BEER family.
Known for his dry, sarcastic humour and strong sense of conviction, he’s someone who knows exactly what he likes and isn’t afraid to say it. Whether he’s obsessing over a recipe or reminiscing about beers past, Ben brings equal parts precision and personality to the role. Quite simply, without him… there is no beer.
What first got you into brewing?
I didn't like beer, but my brother dragged me to a beer festival and it opened up a world of flavour and I told myself 'I could totally make this'. So this lead to me obsessively going down a year- long wormhole and spamming every brewery in London until someone was willing to pay me.
Favourite Small Beer memory or a personal highlight
Brewing the SMALL BEER Kolsch, I'd like to bring it back Felix if you are listening!
What's the biggest misconception about mid-strength beer?
"That it isn't 'real' beer". To this I say although there are some weak and watery lower ABV beers out there it's possible with a little passion and know how to make one that can blow any '5 percenter' out the water. I have just as much fun brewing 2% as I ever did brewing 4-12% but maybe I love it a little more.
Do people still associate lower ABV with less flavour and how do you challenge that?
I think plenty of people do and the best response is a pint of stout at 2.5% to blow them away.
What beer styles are you personally excited about right now?
I feel this is the year of the lager! I've re re re fallen in love with lager again and I want all things lager and lager adjacent. Be that our latest summer crusher (which may or may not be some kind of lager), home brewing myself a Sabro Kolsch or a Vienna lager for the summer or ranting about wanting to re-brew an original SMALL BEER recipe that we haven't seen in a long while.
If you had to drink one style of beer for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Kolsch - it's lager with some ommph, it's a pale ale with some extra crispness, it's the perfect style for all occasions and could be the beer to bring the lager vs ale debate to an end and have everyone chugging pints.
If you could share a Small Beer with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
Probably George Orwell, for writing some of my favourite literature.
Tell us your BIG DREAM.
One day I'd like to cook a full roast dinner completely from scratch, from rearing the chicken to growing every vegetable on the plate.
