London’s craft beer scene is not to be missed. Over the past few years, the popularity of craft beers has exploded, with microbreweries popping up all over the capital. These are the ones you need to know about.
Driven by a passion for innovation and quality, Beavertown Brewery is the place to go for big flavours and characterful brews. The range exemplifies a commitment to consistency, with creative and innovative additions coming from its Alpha, Seasonal and Tempus Barrel Programme.
Gipsy Hill Brewing Company – SE27
The Gipsy Hill Brewing Company uses natural, quality ingredients and an uncompromising approach to the best brewing process. They make no nonsense, full-flavoured, medium strength beer, from a brewery near Crystal Palace.
This brewery at The George & Dragon in Acton serves up 1,200 litres of cask and kegged beer per brew; customers can enjoy a pint at the pub or take away a four-pint ‘growler’.
Look out for the Hackney Brewing Company guesting at bars across London. The brewery started life in 2011, and produces real ale and craft kegged beers, such as American IPA and Session IPA.
Made using Golden Promise, one of the finest English malts, Larger (not a typo!) is a clean, superbly drinkable pale beer with just enough prickly hop bitterness. Ben Ott, until recently the head brewer at Truman’s, works out of three shipping containers in a Dalston yard; a situation that belies his talent and depth of brewing knowledge.
By The Horns Brewing Co. – SW17
By The Horns Brewing Co. began its humble start with two friends brewing beers they loved on a homebrew kit in their garage. Before too long they realised they wanted to brew these beers every day of the week and share their passion of brewing and drinking good beer with the rest of London.
Portobello Brewing Co. was founded in December 2012 by beer industry veteran Rob Jenkins and head brewer Farooq Khalid. The company was born of a desire to do things their way. Along with another industry lifer, Joe Laventure, they mix experience and passion with a desire to brew better.
This brewing company loves upfront, in-yourface, hop-focused beers, as well as more classic styles. The company is proudly experimental, with occasional one-off brews to push its creative boundaries.
Bermondsey is a hotspot for great food and drink, so it’ll come as no surprise that one of London’s best breweries can be found beneath a Bermondsey railway arch. There’s a tap room open on Saturdays, with four handpumps starring London Pale Ale, Bermondsey Best and Gold, plus seasonal brews.
East London Brewing Company – E10
This 10-barrel microbrewery is expanding in East London, with many bars now serving its excellent cask beers. Look out for Cowcatcher, an American Pale Ale – it’s a Create team favourite.
Let us know know what you think, have we missed any of your favourites? Tweet us @CreateFood with your thoughts