If you are interested in great vegan beer and you care about Queer visibility, you need to know about Queer Brewing in East London.
Read more below.
Founded in 2019 by beer writer and creative powerhouse Lily Waite-Marsden, Queer Brewing was born out of a simple point of view. The beer world had a serious lack of LGBTQ+ representation. It was, and often still is, dominated by cisgender heterosexual male voices.
So Lily decided to take up space.
Queer Brewing began life as a collaboration project, teaming up with breweries in the UK and internationally to produce beers that centred Queer stories and visibility. Over time it grew into a fully operational brewery with a team that is proudly and unapologetically 100% Queer, which is still a rarity in the global brewing industry.
The impact has reached further than pouring beer. Tens of thousands of pounds have been raised for LGBTQ+ charities over the years. Since 2024, 10p from every pint and can sold has been donated, meaning every drink you buy from Queer Brewing is supporting community work.
For several years the beer was produced via contract brewing, with Lily writing recipes and trusted breweries bringing them to life. But in 2024 a decision was made to build something more permanent.
In September 2024, Queer Brewing took on a unit next to their warehouse in Leyton and began constructing their own brewery. They installed a serious set up including a refurbished brewhouse from Gravity Systems, six new fermenting vessels, a canning line, and a reverse osmosis water treatment system. They now have the tools to brew whatever styles they like at the highest quality possible.
And then there is the taproom.
A short walk from Lea Bridge Station on an industrial estate, the Queer Brewing taproom is pouring eight lines of fresh beer straight from the brewery, alongside a wide range of cans, cider, natural wine, and snacks. The space is step free and wheelchair accessible. It is welcoming, community focused and exactly the kind of place East London needs.
Buying a beer here is not just about what is in the glass or the can. It is about supporting Queer ownership in an industry that has not always made room for LGBTQ+ community. It is about visibility, celebration, AND very good beer.
If you are anywhere near Leyton, make the trip or if you can’t get in, order cans and merch online. If you see their cans in the wild, pick them up. Independent Queer businesses deserve your custom.
Go drink Queer beer and make beer Queer.
Shop online with Queer Brewing and see the exact location of the taproom thanks to Google Maps.
Extra note: All beers from Queer Brewing are vegan suitable!
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