...In fact the style originated in London, and between 1780 and 1820 the East London firm of Hodgson had a jealously guarded monopoly of supply to the growing India market. These beers were characterised by pale malts, long maturation, massive hopping levels and high alcoholic strength. The latter were necessary to ensure the beer survived the long months at sea if it was not to be tipped straight into the harbour at Calcutta - a fate not unknown.
Meantime are proud to authentically resurrect this great style, making us the only British brewery to brew a true IPA. Jam packed with English Fuggles and Goldings, the beer is brewed with as many hops as we can physically get into the copper. We then fill the lauter tun with hops for a further infusion and then we dry hop with the beer with even more hops using our own unique circulation process to ensure maximum contact between the hops and the body of the beer. All this gives us a final hopping rate of well over 2lbs of hops per barrel.

Founded in 2000 by visionary brewmaster Alastair Hook, Meantime has, in a short history, earned itself a reputation for innovation, passion and communication with the consumer. Alastair’s worldwide experience including the world famous Weihenstephan brewing school in Munich brings a knowledge and understanding of global beer styles that is unparalleled in the UK. Meantime stands in stark contrast to the mainstream brewing industry in Britain. Everything Meantime do is diercted towards the consumer.We are proud of our local heritage. London became the brewing capital of the world as a result of the willingness of its brewers to innovate.. Meantime are innovators in the true London tradition.
In 2004 Meantime became the first British brewery to win any medals at the World Beer Cup and are the only British brewery to have won medals at every World Beer Cup since. In 2005 Meantime became the first British brewery to produce a Fairtrade beer, with our Coffee Porter, which in 2006 became a World Champion beer. In 2007 and 2008 a Meantime had no fewer than 4 beers ranked in the World Top 50 by the judges of the International Beer Challenge.