BrewDog opens school for next generation of brewers

The venue, BottleDog, would stock more than 250 different beers, said BrewDog.

It hoped to become a “central hub of beer aficionados”​ in London to learn the craft and purchase brewing equipment and essential ingredients such as wet yeast, malt and hops.

The shop, located on Grays Inn Road in the London Borough of Camden, will have a seating capacity for 20-25 people. Visitors could attend homebrew classes, meet local brewers, participate in tasting sessions and garner brewing tips and advice at its Beer School.

James Watt, BrewDog co-founder, said: “​We’ve worked hard to create an atmosphere that fosters knowledge sharing and champions the next generation of craft brewers. BottleDog is a continuation of our commitment to bringing great beer to as many people as possible.​

‘Simple yet revolutionary’​

“The concept is simple yet revolutionary; we want to create a space where both beer enthusiasts and newcomers alike can congregate to explore and discover amazing craft beer.”​

All BottleDog employees would be Cicerone-trained to ensure the highest standards in beer knowledge and expertise are passed on, according to BrewDog.

The Cicerone Certification Program seeks to ensure that consumers receive the best quality beer at every service occasion. To facilitate this, those who sell and serve beer must acquire knowledge in five areas.

They are beer storage, sales and service; beer styles and culture; beer tasting and flavours; brewing ingredients and processes; and pairing beer with food. 

Watt said: “Whether you have a question about the properties of a specific type of hop, want bottled inspiration for your next homebrew or just want to find out what the hell the difference between a lager and an ale is, BottleDog is the place for you.”​

Traditional and contemporary​

As well as offering traditional and contemporary beers from Belgium, Germany, Europe and America, BottleDog will host four beers on tap and offer fill up takeaway flasks, known as growlers, from the taps on site to take draft beer home.

The shop is the first in a series of bottle shops that the firm are planning for the year ahead, Watt revealed.

“BottleDog will have the most extensive craft beer selection you can get your hands on in London, with epic beers from all over the world,”​ he added. “Our Grays Inn Road site is the first in a series of bottle shops we’re planning, and we are psyched to see how London’s burgeoning craft beer scene takes to it!”​

BottleDog will be open Monday to Friday between 12noon and 9pm, and Saturday 12 noon until 8pm.