UB40’s Former Manager Nick Colgan to Open Craft Brewery & Bar in Zagreb

Nick Colgan (photo: Grgo Jelavic/PIXSELL)

The former studio manager of the successful British reggae-pop band UB40 is set to open a brewery in the Croatian capital…

Nick Colgan, who was studio manager for UB40, a former Birmingham band who had over 50 singles in the UK Singles Chart, is set to embark on a new project in Croatia.

Colgan has resided in the Dalmatian city of Zadar for the last 12 years, where he was instrumental in organising the hugely successful Garden Music Festival. As of late last year Colgan has been now residing in Zagreb, where he is working on a new project.
As he told daily Večernji list, Colgan is to open a brewery, which will have a bar on site, in the capital

“It was always our dream. I am a fan of all crafts, especially beer, and the art and science that is behind it. Growth in craft beers has been dramatic in the UK and globally, and currently in Croatia, where there is now really excellent beer. It will be really great to be part of the now very prominent scene, and to hopefully help grow it further,” Nick says.

UB40 (photo credit Steve Lyne/REX 168018e)

Colgan plans to open at an old hall in Zagreb’s Žitnjak area east of the city.

“The old hall in Žitnjak is the perfect location, it is a big space and it has a big summer terrace,” he says, adding that patrons will have a chance to see how the beer they are drinking is made.

Colgan says that he plans to organise street food events, garden parties, concerts and small beer festivals there. A beer master from New Zealand, along with a local Croatian assistant, will be in charge of brewing. The brewery and bar should be open by spring this year.