Big Smoke Brew Co

Big Smoke Brew Co. began at The Antelope in Surbiton, the pub taken over by founders Richard Craig and James Morgan in early 2014. Brewing started that September in the pub's former stables, with assistant manager Nick Blake becoming head brewer and Dark Wave, a 5% English-style porter, the first beer produced on the small brewhouse. The beers quickly found an audience both at The Antelope and in pubs across London. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

As Big Smoke's family of pubs expanded, demand soon outgrew the original brewery. After searching for a larger home, the team found a site in Esher, just four miles from The Antelope. They secured the keys at the end of 2018, moved in during February 2019 and began brewing there the following month on a new 30-hectolitre brewhouse. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

From its Esher brewery, Big Smoke produces a broad range of modern beers while supplying its own growing pub estate and other venues across the UK. Despite its expansion, the business remains closely connected to its hospitality roots, combining brewing with pubs, taprooms and bars and placing beer, community and pub culture at the heart of the company. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}