Learning Experience

However, his attendance at an event held at London Fields Brewery, barely a week into his time in London, saw his passion and organisational mindset kick in. Wanting to run the operation as set out his his head, he called the owner to offer his services and before long, was hired as lead brewer and head of product development. This is where he met Todd Matteson, and they hit things off very quickly.

“We met many people during our time there, it was a learning experience and one we are better for as a result. Tom and I met in the July of 2013 and I quit the following year to work on our business plan for Mondo,” says Matteson. “Talks had become longer, and more frequent, so it made sense to leave that April to work on it. Tom would work his shift then after that, he would come over and work on the plan for another good three or four hours each night.

We set out our plans early on and we wanted to stick to them. He and I knew we didn’t want to be in an archway so we were looking for standalone places that would allow us to grow. We didn’t want to fall into a mould and we wanted somewhere we could impart our personality. We have nothing against these choices, of course, but this was the path we wanted to take.”

He adds: “We also live close to this site and compared to places such as Hackney and Bermondsey, it was the fit for us. When we saw this place, in July 2014, we immediately saw the potential and that it was right for us. Though it looked nothing like it does now!”

Both Matteson and Palmer, alongside an investor, put money into the deal in order to help turn Mondo from a name into reality.

“The investor could see something in us, what drove us and what made us want to strive in a crowded market. We told them that with right equipment, the right plant, and personality, we could succeed. It was the last point, that hit home and resonated with them but ultimately, it was a vetting process from both sides as we needed to be sure they were right for us, too. But here we are,” says Matterson.

This investment helped secure the site, kit investment, and construction of the taproom adjacent to the brewery itself. With the beers and brand hitting the market at last year’s Craft Beer Rising, the first official beers from the brewery’s current system saw the light of day in May 2015.