London craft brewery set to add eatery in business overhaul

Beerlab London is out, Supply and Demand Beer and Pizza is in.

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A London craft brewery that’s operated on Talbot Street since the year before the pandemic struck, specializing in experimental small-batch beers, is expanding into an eatery-entertainment venue amid what one of its owners says are challenges drawing customers to its downtown location.

Many downtown offices remain vacant in the fallout of the COVID-19 shutdowns and changes to how and where people work, which has also affected foot traffic for downtown merchants. Many consumers have also become more careful with their spending, especially after the recent run-up in inflation.

Despite what he calls a “great connection” with London since the business opened five years ago, co-owner Nick Baird said he and partner Adil Ahmad, a doctor, decided a change was needed as the challenges mounted to keep operating in the city’s core .

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“Downtown just isn’t what it used to be. People are going out differently now. They’re not going out as frequently. They’re more cautious with their dollars, which is understandable.

“We’re trying to navigate these difficulties by offering more,” Baird said.

Beerlab London operates both a taproom and patio and an online business.

Baird said he and Ahmad were “ready to start something fresh and new,” and saw an opportunity when the space next door to their business – at Talbot and Carling streets, a stone’s throw from the Budweiser Gardens and a nearby office block – became available .

With their new and rebranded venture, Supply and Demand Beer and Pizza, the two aim to draw more customers by adding a pizza kitchen, restaurant space and a slate of entertainment offerings such as live music, DJs, trivia nights, comedy shows, drag shows and more, Baird said.

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Craft brewing, the thing that brought the two of them together in the first place, will continue.

The expansion will keep the “adventurous and experimental spirit” of Beerlab, Baird said, attributing their success so far to a unique operating model that leaves “core beers” out of their production lineup in favor of pumping out never-been-done-before recipes with each brew.

Baird and Ahmad met two decades ago at Chaucer’s Pub, around the corner from their business on Carling, which Baird said was the only place then to get “unique” beers in London.

They got their start in the industry with “home-brew beginnings” in 2009, then launched Beerlab as a contract brewer in 2013. They opened their location at 420 Talbot in 2019.

Construction on the expanded portion of what will become Supply and Demand Beer and Pizza is three-quarters complete, according to Baird. He and Ahmad hope to be open and operating next month, pending permit approvals, he said.

Beerlab London will remain open in the same location until the expansion is completed.

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