Breweries that I love – Merakai Brewing Co.
Today I want to talk to you about a brewery that I absolutely adore - Merakai Brewing Co. This is good beer, great people and an amazing cause. The brewery started in lockdown here in the UK in November 2020, so they are very new. The name Merakai comes from two parts. Mera from the Greek philosophy that means putting your all into something, and Kai from Ikegai, which is a Japanese concept of having purpose or direction in life. This sounds like the perfect description of the brewery, and of its owners Emma and Olly, to me.
Who Are Merakai Brewing Co?
Olly used to be a home brewing enthusiast and is now a professional brewer. He's worked for Arundale brewery and designed quite a few of their well-known beers. He also brews for Abyss Brewing. Olly wanted to see if he could make beers for himself as good as he'd been making for other people. Emma is a marketing professional, she knew that they could make beers of their own just as good as when Olly was brewing for other breweries, so convinced Olly to set up their own brewery. Merakai Brewing Co want to create an inclusive community and company where beer is for everyone, and create a space that is comfortable for people to discover new and exciting beers, as well as brewing beer.
As part of their mission they have done fundraising for Mind, they've promoted the artists that are on their beautiful cans and if you go to their Instagram, you'll also find a guide to how to become an anti racist. Recently, Merakai did a collaboration with the craft beer hot sauce brand Hop’t Sauce, so they are all about working with and collaborating with other small businesses. Recently, they finally found their own premises, they are taking over the old Abyss brewing space which is in Upfield. I'm looking forward to going and have a beer on site with them soon.
Merakai Brewing Co Beers
Merakai’s first beer was I've Licked It So It's Mine - a lovely double IPA. This one is all about ripe mango balanced with sweet caramel malt and a bitter finish.
I'm Your Biggest Fan is a sessionable pale ale. We're looking for floral citrus and orange blossom with bitterness to balance.
My favorite is We Put Our Love Into This which is a Boston stout. It's got chocolate caramel, biscuit and coffee with a lovely smooth body.
How's Your Head Hun is their first lager and it was paired with their fundraising for Mind. It's got some lovely lemony biscuity notes, some grainy malt and is really crisp, great on a summer's day for a midweek Merakai!
Most recently, they have produced a fruited sour beer, which they're referring to as I froze. We Like You Berry Much has strawberry, coconut and vanilla notes with a light salinity at the end, which is very refreshing. It also goes well in their beautiful glassware.
Merakai Brewing Co are trying to create a space that really aligns with my values and goals. They want to include everyone in the beer community and make it a safe open space for everyone. If you haven't tried their beers, go grab some now. And if you'd like to know more about Merakai Brewing Co in their own words check out episode 30 of A Woman's Brew: The Podcast here.
