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 James, our Head of Operations. Cool, calm and collected, our very own Mr James Sherwin is the beating heart of the SMALL BEER team. Adept at holding down a busy fort, James is one of our most experienced crew members and does a sterling job of managing the brewery operations, no matter what's thrown his way. He not only keeps everything ticking over smoothly, but does so with a warm, open heart and an effortlessly cool demeanour.
What brought you to Small Beer?
I fell in love with the gastronomic, wine and beer culture whilst living in Barcelona a few moons ago. I got my break into the F&B industry a few years after moving to London, located a few miles down the road from the brewery. I got to know James Grundy (one of our co-founders) through that experience. I loved the journey that Small Beer was on - one conversation led to another and I joined their ranks in Summer 2022.
Favourite Small Beer Memory?
The days are equally fun and long, but seeing out a day with the team at Taste of London festival is always a unique experience!
It's an awesome dose of team building and all the delicious things on offer!
What shifts are you seeing in consumer behaviour, both in the UK and across Europe?
It looks like consumers are going back to basics a little with their choices here in the UK for sure (well, I can only really speak from what I see happening in London mostly!)
I think a lot of consumers are shifting down from the big, juicy and hoppy American forward beer styles we've seen so much of over recent years. I'm definitely seeing a second coming and appreciation for premium Lagers, whether that be from homegrown breweries or from the continent. I'd also like to think good cask beer gets more of the plaudits it deserves through this year & beyond.
I think we'll always see more stability across Europe, heritage styles and breweries never seem to fade.
Are there any beer styles or approaches you think are about to have a real moment?
Stout! (naming no names..) I think we'll still be riding that wave this year. Lager too - a great Lager is hard to beat. As I mentioned before, I think there's definitely more demand whether that be via Germany, the Czech Republic, Spain or Indie breweries here in the UK.
How is beer production evolving globally, and what can the UK learn from it?
That's a tough one! I think it's very territory dependent on a global level. On a UK level, we've seen the bubble burst in the craft market, which hasn't been nice to see.
Trends are always fast moving here in the UK, so it's hard to know what styles or categories will be here to stay next. I think what we can learn is, champion quality and keep it focused.
With so many pubs closing how do you see the role of the pub changing in the future?
A pub has always been a unique place to get together and socialise (with the inclusion of great beer!) I don't think that role will ever change for the most part.
There's no doubt many pubs have it seriously tough right now, for different reasons. The pub should always be a mainstay of the fabric here in the UK, I hope as many survive as possible!
If you could share a Small Beer with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
Easy! Anthony Bordain. I don't think there'll ever be anyone else who translated a place and its people as he did, particularly in the name of gastronomy.
He saw the world in a very unique way - I'm sure I'd come away a little wiser over the course of a Small Beer!
Tell us your BIG DREAM.
I'd love to live in another country again and start a cooking / food business - somehow!
