Former Alcohol Wholesaler, Mark Russell & Former City Worker, Simon Dale, met shortly before the London riots in 2011 at a beer festival, and found they both were having thoughts about starting up a new brewery in the area. Both born and raised in Croydon, where there has been no commercial brewery since 1954, the riots and subsequent renewal of community spirit convinced them to push ahead with their plans. After nearly a year of test brewing, planning and trying to find financial backing, The Cronx Brewery was formed. They had their commercial brewery equipment delivered on 10th July 2012, brewed for the first time commercially on 18th July 2012, and had their first beers on sale in Croydon pubs on Wednesday 8th August 2012, exactly one year after the riots occurred in Croydon. The first year of trading beat all expectations, and they now brew five permanent beers, as well as a range of special seasonal and one-off brews. ‘The Cronx’ is a portmanteau of Croydon (Or it’s postcode; CR0) and The Bronx, and is used as an affectionate tongue in cheek reference to the often much maligned London Borough we call home.