A fellow Social Enterprise, Ignition Brewery is based in Sydenham, South London, and has provided paid employment and support to neurodivergent adults and adults with learning disabilities since 2015.

Ignition is owned by Brighter Horizons, a local charity supporting over 70 adults from health and wellbeing to independence and personal expression. As the charity’s trading arm, Ignition puts their mission of independence into practice, which is why every team member is paid the London Living Wage.

Sampling re-ale-ly good beer

For one evening, our head office in London became a pop-up taproom. Led by Neil Penny, the Trust’s Learning & Capability Lead and part-time brewer at Ignition, alongside two of his fellow brewers, Dave and Michael, members of the Trust were able to sample six bespoke beers. From their classic pale ale, ‘Jump Start’, to the more refined porter, ‘Well Oiled Machine’, the challenge was to guess the key flavour profiles and work out where each beer sat on the colour spectrum (no easy task when there are over 40 shades to choose from!).

We also got a deep dive explanation into the brewing process, from mashing the grains to how hops provide different flavours and the all-important addition of yeast for fermentation. This created a much greater appreciation for the care that goes into every bottle!

It was the kind of evening that’s hard to get from a night at the pub. We tasted, we guessed (some of us more wildly than others), and we learned how every pint is made. We also met the people behind the beer, who were clearly proud of what they do. It was also a reminder of what happens when mission-driven organisations get behind each other. As Neil put it: “It is fantastic to see Social Enterprises supporting each other in this way.”

Why backing small matters

Ignition’s story shows what small businesses and charities make possible. Their 300-litre brewing kit is tiny by industry standards, and that’s deliberate. With everything from bottling, labelling, and packing done by hand, the team produces around 17,000 pints a year. Doing things manually costs more and leaves slimmer margins, but it also creates more paid work and hands-on experience for the team.

“Strong partnerships like this create more opportunities for those who face barriers to work and, most importantly, build the confidence and skills of the 95% of adults with learning disabilities who are excluded from being meaningfully employed.”

– Dave King, Director at Ignition Brewery

How you can help

• Visit the taproom on Sydenham high street – particularly on one of their free event nights
• Buy a bottle. Each one is handcrafted in every sense.
• Get involved. Ignition welcomes new sponsors, volunteer teams for a day, equipment donations, and funding. They’d love to talk about it over a beer.
• Spread the word. Follow Ignition on Instagram (@ignitionbrewery) and LinkedIn, or visit their website to learn more.

Want a beer tasting event in your business? Then get in touch!