Industrial breweries were very different places 45 years ago. Today's guest knows all about just how different because he spent the early part of his career working in one of London's most legendary ones... The Truman Brewery on Brick Lane, East London. David Cowan is retired now. I met him a few months back on a tour of Palmers Brewery in Dorset. We reminisce about that tour, then get cracking on a trip down (Brick) Memory Lane. David was a young graduate microbiologist when he walked into the famous Truman Brewery (where there were no other scientists). His stories are brilliant. From stone and metal steps awash with wort, to the generous staff beer ration and the scary reason why you had to be very careful going into some rooms alone. But the most fascinating story is something of a whodunnit. A mystery that only a smart young scientist could solve, and when he eventually did, it made a huge difference to the output of one of the UK's most important breweries. This episode was fascinating to record and a great listen. Enjoy.