Rochester · Medway · Est. 2026

We're bringing the Lion back.

The Craft Hub is bringing part of Rochester's historic Lion Brewery back into use: a community space built around local drinks, creativity, practical skills and connection.

Join the early registry Read our vision

Our vision

A historic place with a new purpose.

The Lion Brewery has been part of Rochester's story for generations. We're working to bring part of it back into active use as The Craft Hub: a welcoming space built around local drinks, creativity, practical skills and community connection.

We're developing the site now, working through the necessary permissions and building relationships with local producers, organisations and community groups.

It will be a place where people can share what they know, discover something new and help shape the next chapter of this historic site.
The anchor site: the historic Lion Brewery, Rochester.

Sustainable brewing and distilling, in a cycle

  1. Grow
  2. Make
  3. Share
  4. Return
  5. Regenerate

What's coming to the Lion

Five principles, one building.

  • Meet Community first

    A welcoming place for local people, visitors, makers and independent businesses to connect.

  • Make Local production

    Brewing, distilling, product development and hands-on creative activity rooted in craft and experimentation.

  • Learn Skills exchange

    Workshops, demonstrations, talks and opportunities for people to share practical knowledge and experience.

  • Share Shared spaces

    Community events, tastings, collaborations and physical space for ideas to gather and grow.

  • Return Regenerative

    Responsible production, reuse, local partnerships and lasting value for Medway.

Project one · Pouring now

Lion's Lager

4.4%vol

Clean and crisp. Brewed with classic methods and modern sustainable adjustments. The taste of Rochester's industrial beer renaissance.

The Lion is already stirring

Taste it before the doors open.

Before the permanent space opens we're bringing the Craft Hub to life through pop-ups, local events, collaborations and products like this one. Meet us, try it, and help shape what comes next.

Find the next pour on Instagram

Follow the journey

In progress

Planning the space

Refining layouts for production brewing, classroom workspace and community social areas inside the brewery buildings.

In progress

Building local partnerships

Connecting with Kent growers, Medway artists, craft makers and local agencies to shape collaborative programmes before the doors open.

In progress

Testing events and ideas

Hosting early pop-ups, tasting collaborations and practical skill exchanges to learn what visitors want from the permanent home.

Skill sharing

A space shaped by shared skills.

The Craft Hub will create opportunities for people to teach, demonstrate and exchange skills: brewing, fermentation and food, art, heritage, gardening, repair, making and other practical crafts.

You won't need to be an expert. The aim is an open, welcoming environment where experience is shared across generations and communities.

Community idea board

Pinned by local people. Every submission is reviewed before it goes live.

  • Pinned by

    Arthur · Rochester

    Wild sourdough fermentation

    The idea

    Starters raised on local orchard apples, and how to keep them alive through a Kent winter.

  • Pinned by

    Claire · Strood

    Furniture and wood repair

    The idea

    Vintage hand tools and the basics of restoration, one broken chair at a time.

    Bring

    Something broken and worth saving.

  • Pinned by

    Dave & Sarah · Rochester

    Home hop growing

    The idea

    Hop plants shared across Medway gardens, harvested together for a community brew.

  • Pinned by

    Medway Makers

    Terracotta pottery throwing

    The idea

    A pottery wheel at the Lion, working with local Medway clays.

    Bring

    Clean hands and an apron.

  • Your turn

    Pin your idea

    Something you could teach, demonstrate or share. No expertise required.

    Send an idea

Stay connected

Be part of what comes next.

Hear about milestones, tastings and events at the brewery as they happen. Updates also go out on Instagram and Facebook.

Takes under a minute. We only ask for a first name and an email address.

Early registry

Be part of what comes next.

Hear about milestones, tastings and events at the brewery as they happen.

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