Brewery Focus: Chris Small – Burning Soul Brewery

As the vast majority of pubs and bars in the UK look poised to reopen on the 4th of July, we take one last glance into how life has been for another brewer. This time it's none other than Chris Small from Burning Soul Brewery. Founded 2016, these guys smashed it by winning the Thirsty Games the following year at Indy Man Beer Con. We are huge fans of both their uber-cool taproom and their fantastic beer… especially their Ice Cream Pale!

How much have things changed since before lockdown?

“Quite dramatically! Previously you could only get Burning Soul via draft from bars who stocked us or from the taproom on Fridays and Saturdays. When the news of bars closing came it meant 100% of our beer sales were cut off. Canning was a big part of our plan for 2020, COVID19 just forced our hand earlier than planned. Same goes for the webshop.”

What was your biggest challenge? 

“Easily, it was sourcing the artwork and getting the graphical design for the cans ready. Hated every minute of it but pleased we got the graphic design part of the labels done in house.”

What have you learnt?

“Other than society is three packs of toilet paper away from chaos. They say don't put all your eggs in one basket... only being able to get Burning Soul on draft was a one basket situation.”

Can you share any of your future plans for after lockdown?

“All depends on the world we return to, would like to pick up where we left off, so foot on the gas production wise. More cask. More cans. More growlers. More art. More events. More mores. More later.”

What will be the first pub that you hit up after lockdown and what will you be drinking?

“Likely The Wolf, you'll find us often enjoying a beer in the taproom there. Drink wise personally I'll be looking for a high IBU beer flavoured beer... nah only joking! I'll be trying to relive the fruit juices and Capri Suns from my youth like everyone else.”Cheers Chris, hopefully we'll see you down there! We want to say a big thank you to all the breweries that took part in our Brewery Focus series during a really tough, busy time. Let's hope that the taps keep on flowing and that we can let the good times roll!