In July 2011, two London school friends; Martin Hayes and Peter Slezak started the Craft Beer Co. in Clerkenwell EC1. Their idea was simple and that was to create a great place with an inviting atmosphere, the best products and the best service that you could find in a UK pub. They focused on sourcing beer from far and wide, little known brewers from all over the UK and International brewers that had rarely been seen in London before.

With the help of the rest of their team, the pair looked to open more pubs with the same simple values, great beer, wines and spirits and exceptional service, they wanted to capture what they called ‘old school pub values’. More pubs have opened, but the values and ethos of the business have remained exactly the same since day one as has the ownership of the business, which is proudly independent.