Since 2011 Signature have helped revolutionise beer at live events by bringing their music-inspired offerings to the best bars, venues and festivals in the UK and beyond. As well as being crowned by SIBA as the Brewery Business of the Year, they’ve also lead the way for artist collaborations, having brewed with the likes of Idles, alt-J, Slaves, Mogwai, Enter Shikari and more. We caught up with founders Tom and Sam after a run of sold out socially distanced shows to chat brewery life under lockdown, the future of live events and of course, their award winning beers.

How are you guys at the moment, it must be a bit of a madhouse?

I think we’re at the point now where we can say it’s going well, all things considered. There were some close calls over the last 6 months, but Tom and I have spent a lot of time here at the brewery with the team working to ensure we would make it through. Its feels like a lot has led to this point, especially last night with all the gigs outside [a series of socially distanced events at their brewery and taproom], it all felt like it had come together, the beer and the music.

How have the socially distanced gigs gone?

People were genuinely emotional, they realised just how much they missed it, and it was ok and all the rules were being obeyed, it was perfect.

Location is obviously a huge part for every brewery, after nearly a year here how have you found Walthamstow? It must be nice to have people back on your doorstep.

Well originally we needed at least 10,000 sqft, the space was originally for tanks equipment, but now it’s for people! We wanted somewhere that we’d enjoy being every day, lots of the team live locally and have a vested interest in the area. You can feel it, it’s tangible. Plus, these days, people are perfectly happy to go to the dark end of an industrial estate for a pint, even with a buggy in the other hand.

How has lockdown changed the way you operate, especially with such close ties to live music and events?

Well we started the crisis board meeting on the 15th March, and we probably ended about a week ago! [laughs] Literally everyone at the brewery did something to keep us alive. Everyone wanted to be active, even just to come in and help out, as well as still being creative.

Back to beer, do you feel like winning SIBA's prestigious award changed the brewery?

It was a shock, thats for sure! Great to be noticed for what we’ve been doing since 2011 by our industry peers, and it's great to be in such great company with previous winners such as Tiny Rebel (North this year). I wouldn’t say it changed the brewery, but it was certainly vindication that we were doing something right!

What beer are you most proud of?

Well we always come back to Roadie, but Studio Lager, it tastes better and better, especially during the hot weeks - it’s just the one.

How do you come up with recipes for new beers?

We’ve got a huge load list of beer styles we’ve never made, also we have a panel of people at the brewery that help decide what we want to brew over the next quarter. Sometimes we brew for certain events like Oktoberfest, or collaborations, other times it’s seasonal, or if someone has just had a really good idea and we can try it out on the pilot kit.

Who’s beer apart from your own do you drink a lot of at the moment, anyone who you think is underrated?

There’s a mixed fermentation brewery in Scotland called Simple Things. We never want to contribute to the hype but Newbarns who have been pretty unlucky in their origins, have made some pretty great beer. Howling Hops are smashing it, especially in their cask beer, it’s something we definitely look for.

From Idles, to Alt-J and that Mogwai beer collaborations are obviously such a large part of what you do, do you have any favourite artists you worked with, or anyone who was super into their beer?

Honestly? The one we did last week, might be my favourite, the launch of it was so exciting and we nailed the style [a dark smoked lager with Dynamite MC, a pretty handy sommelier in his own right & musician DRS] We ended up talking about Schlenkerla, and the albums called Playing In The Dark and it’s a super unusual style, it just fit together so well.

If Signature were an artist who would they be?

So Solid Crew?! Haha. Maybe So Solid Brew? That’s a terrible answer, give me ten minutes... we’ve heard all the music puns that are possible. Maybe Simon & Garfunkel, a strong two piece band. We are working on forming the Signature Brew house band, so thats probably the most accurate answer!

With everyone drinking more at home, do you think there’s more opportunity for better beer at gigs and venues after lockdown is over?

Definitely. During lockdown people have been buying more interesting, exciting and local beers at places like Clapton Craft. Now they’ve tried the good stuff, they can’t go back! That is certainly what our new drinkers have been telling us. Now there is that awareness for great beer in the market, the hope is that it filters in to venues when they reopen.

What’s coming up in the next few weeks, what’s the next step?

We’ve got a run of gigs next week that are all sold out, a celebration with DIY for their hundredth issue, after that Bristol Craft Beer festival. Little steps back to normal.

Any grand plans to celebrate this being all over?

Unfortunately it’s not going to be black and white, and we’ll most likely see a slow fade. However, when the first gig happens and there’s no restrictions that’ll be a moment to remember. We’ve organised a piss up in a brewery for next Spring, and when you’re allowed to say it’s rammed in the main room, we’ll be back, beer in hand!

A big thanks to Sam and Tom for sitting down with us! It goes without saying that we’ve also just received a host of new beers from the team, including their crispy Summer Lager with Sports Team, a delectable Passionfruit New England Pale as well as a top up of their brilliant go-to core range. Also be sure to visit them across their venues!

Signature Founders on Brewery Life Under Lockdown