Why Brick Lane Was Known for Beer Before Bagels
When most people hear Brick Lane today, they think of bagels, curries, and vintage fashion. It’s become a cultural landmark of East London, famous for its food, street art, and bustling markets. But what many don’t know is that before Brick Lane earned its reputation for food, it was once synonymous with beer.
Yes—you read that right. Brick Lane was once home to one of the largest breweries in the world, and beer defined the area long before bagels or curry houses appeared. Let’s dive into this fascinating transformation.
1. The Origins of Brick Lane: Beer Before Bagels
Brick Lane’s story begins in the 17th century, when it was named after the brick and tile manufacturers in the area. But in 1680, something arrived that would change its identity: Truman’s Brewery.
Founded by Joseph Truman, the brewery started as a small operation but expanded rapidly over the 18th and 19th centuries. At its peak, Truman’s was one of the largest breweries in the world, producing millions of barrels of beer each year.
The brewery shaped the very fabric of the area—employing locals, influencing trade, and even leaving behind the massive brick brewery buildings that still stand today.
2. Why Beer Thrived in Brick Lane
East London was the perfect place for brewing. The area had:
Access to clean water from the River Lea and local wells.
A growing working-class population who drank plenty of beer (often safer than water at the time).
Strong trade routes through the East End for exporting barrels of beer.
By the 18th century, beer wasn’t just a drink—it was daily fuel for Londoners. And Brick Lane became a powerhouse of production, with Truman’s leading the way.
3. The Decline of Beer, The Rise of Bagels
But by the late 19th and early 20th centuries, things started to shift. The East End was changing.
Immigration, especially from Jewish communities fleeing persecution in Eastern Europe, brought new food traditions. Among them: bagels.
In 1855, the first recorded bagel bakery opened in London’s East End, and by the early 20th century, Brick Lane became a hub for Jewish bakeries. Famous shops like Beigel Bake (established in 1974, still thriving today) cemented Brick Lane’s reputation as the go-to spot for fresh bagels—salt beef, smoked salmon, and cream cheese becoming local staples.
Meanwhile, the beer industry faced consolidation and decline. Truman’s Brewery stopped brewing in 1989, closing a chapter that had lasted over 300 years.
4. The Legacy of Truman’s Brewery
Although the brewery closed, its buildings remain iconic. The red-brick warehouses, the towering chimneys, and the historic lettering of “Truman, Hanbury, Buxton & Co Ltd” are still part of the Brick Lane landscape.
Today, the brewery site has been repurposed as a creative hub—hosting bars, restaurants, markets, vintage fairs, and art shows. Ironically, while the beer brewing stopped, the space still thrives as a place of food, drink, and culture.
5. Bagels Take Over the World (Well, East London)
By the mid-20th century, Brick Lane had shifted fully from beer to bagels. Shops like Beigel Bake and Beigel Shop, both open 24/7, became legendary.
Bagels were cheap, filling, and rooted in community culture—exactly what East End London needed during difficult times. Today, queues outside Beigel Bake at 2 am are proof that the bagel legacy is alive and strong.
And yet, even as bagels dominate, you can still feel the beer history in the bones of the place.
6. Beer Returns to Brick Lane
Here’s the twist: beer has made a comeback.
In recent years, Truman’s Brewery was revived (though brewing now happens in Hackney Wick). Craft beer culture has exploded in London, and Brick Lane is once again a hotspot for pints—this time in hipster bars, microbreweries, and pop-ups.
So while bagels may have stolen the spotlight, beer is quietly reclaiming its roots. Walk down Brick Lane today and you’ll see both worlds—beigels in one hand, craft beers in the other.
7. The Quick Recap
Brick Lane was originally famous for beer, not bagels.
In 1680, Truman’s Brewery was founded and became one of the largest breweries in the world.
Beer thrived in Brick Lane due to clean water sources, trade routes, and high demand.
By the late 19th century, Jewish immigrants brought bagels to the East End, and bakeries flourished.
Truman’s closed in 1989, but the site became a cultural and creative hub.
Bagels took over the area, with 24-hour beigel shops becoming iconic.
Today, beer is making a comeback with craft breweries and Truman’s revival.
Final Thoughts: Beer or Bagel? Why Not Both?
Brick Lane is proof that London never stays the same—it reinvents itself again and again. From the roar of Truman’s Brewery to the queues at Beigel Bake, this street has carried the spirit of the East End for centuries.
Next time you wander Brick Lane, take a moment to look up at the old brewery walls before grabbing a warm bagel. You’ll know you’re standing in the middle of London history—one that’s equal parts beer and bread.
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