How Brentwood Brewery began

Roland Kannor wanted to set-up his own business and was driven by his love of beer!

It’s many a beer lovers dream to own their own brewery, but for Roland Kannor and his next-door neighbour, it was a dream that became a reality.

Following a night in a pub in Brentwood, the pair were discussing how they were going to make their fortune. The aspiring businessmen had a shared love of beer and after seeing a brewery up for sale they decided to invest in something they were passionate about.

The rest they say is history! Well, sixteen years later Brentwood Brewery is a thriving brewery which has produced over 100 types of beer and constantly wins top accolades. This year the brewery won CAMRA’s Champion Speciality Beer in East Anglia for their Chock Work Orange 6.5%. Their Falcon Punch, which is an American IPA, also picked up a Gold Medal at the European Beer Challenge 2022. Plus their Lumberjack 5.2% is a champion bitter in the East of England. 

Roland has developed partnerships across the county and further afield, beers are stocked in many local bars and restaurants, including Alec’s, Smith’s, Blue Strawberry and the Wivenhoe House Hotel. Shoppers can pick up the latest ales direct from Brentwood Brewery, or from a wide range of off licenses and the Co-op.  

Keen to constantly develop the business, Roland has launched Brewery Experience Days where visitors can be a brewer for the day. He’s also opened-up a taproom on site, which constantly stocks five draught beers on tap, ideal for customers popping down to buy their latest ales and want to try out the latest brew. 

His secret to success, ‘follow your passions and always be enterprising. If you love what you do, work will always be fun’.

“The people of Essex are really enterprising. We’re very entrepreneurial and keen to support one another.”

To discover more, visit Brentwood Brewing Company.