For anyone that’s visited the E1 area of London, it’s hard not to come away with an amazing impression of it. The urban nature of street-art graduating from graffiti with Banksy on the walls is clear to see with some remarkable artwork. Some of it permanent (like the Banksy behind Perspex at Cargo) and some seemingly changing every day. The warehouse buildings are now million-pound apartments and offices where they were the backbone of London’s garment trade until the mid 20th century.
The balance between historic London (definitely visit Dennis Sever’s house) and the ultra new of the Gherkin and high-rise London is incredible. Brick Lane is split in two halves with the lower half to the Bangladeshi community and anything North of the now repurposed Truman Brewery home to amazingly eclectic shops and restaurants. There’s nowhere in London that has such a strong resemblance to the Williamsburg area of Brooklyn – and that’s not a bad thing. You’ll even find Rough Trade East here with its namesake also in Brooklyn. Both feel entirely at home in this urban mish-mash of cultures and history.
With E1 Brew Co, we want to be the beating heart of the area supplying bars, restaurants and residents with great beer. But, also to take the spirit of E1 around the world with people in Shanghai drinking an E1 can and feeling like they’re tasting the magic of this amazing part of London. We’ve got big dreams and aspirations, just like our postcode namesake.