Meet the retailer: Hop, Burns & Black
Issue 9
Spring 2022
Top of the Hops
Cover Story
Top of the hops Indie retailer Hop, Burns & Black was born of two people’s love of craft beer, hot sauce and vinyl records. Jen Ferguson and Glenn Williams arrived on UK shores from New Zealand, where they had already seen the growth in the number of small independent breweries mirror a similar explosion in the number of craft and artisanal hot sauce producers. Arriving in London’s Peckham/East Dulwich area, the pair loved the community spirit but saw a gap in the market for an independent retail site specialising in craft beer and hot sauce, with a side helping of vinyl records thrown in. In November 2014 they took the plunge, giving up their day jobs to launch the business, which was
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Spring 2022 | SIBA Independent Brewer | www.siba.co.uk
embraced by locals while also, as one of only a handful of independents of its kind in London at that time, becoming a destination for those from further afield. In 2018 the business added another retail site in Deptford, and with sales growing from their online shop during lockdown, a new warehouse was added last year. Despite this expansion, the business has stayed true to its roots, focusing on creating a welcoming, inclusive environment, championing local breweries and producers. Independent Brewer’s Caroline Nodder spoke to Jen and Glenn back in January to find out more about their journey and plans for the future…
