London Craft Beer Scene

London is famous for its pub scene.  There’s a pub just about on every corner in the city, some of which have been there since the 1700s  And you can count on a few familiar beers.  You can always get a Guinness, a Carlsberg, and

Keep in mind that when you go into a pub, it may not be as traditional as you may want as a tourist.  For example, the Churchill Arms in Notting Hill looks the part until you see their menu.  They serve Thai food!  Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but it’s just a reminder that when we visit places just outside of tourist focused districts they won’t be catering to what we as tourists think is authentic.  But, there’s really nothing more authentic than eating Thai or Indian food in an English pub these days.  Times have changed and tourists need to change their expectations, too.  End rant.

 

However, craft beer is new to the UK as a whole and especially London which has embraced its own unique beer culture for centuries.  And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that culture.  I’m a huge fan of the pub scene.  There’s something to walking into a cozy, inviting place for a beer that’s not crowded and full of douchebags.

Craft beer

 

it’s an up and coming scene and it’s taking hold.  You can find craft beer in the pubs that used to only serve cask ales and room temperature stouts.  You can even find it in the convenience stores.  I was in Bermdonsey on a crappy, cold day in December and the breweries were full by 4pm on Saturday.  There’s a thirst for good beer and the market is delivering as more breweries are opening up even during Covid times.

However, London real estate is expensive and it takes space to brew good beer.  Most of the breweries have found that space just outside the city. The two current hot spots are up in Tottenham and Bermondsey.  Tottenham is about 30 minutes NE of London via the tube and home to Beavertown Brewery and Pressure Drop Brewery.  Bermondsey is home to the Bermondsey Beer Mile and is just over the Thames river from the Tower of London and home to around 10 breweries and a few food markets over a 3 mile stretch underneath an above ground railroad track.  The breweries and other shops began under the “arches” from the railroads that give the Bermondsey Beer Mile it’s unique look and feel.  It’s definitely still industrial and up and coming, but that’s also what makes it so cool.  I didn’t get a chance to go up to Tottehham, but I did get to spend a dreary winter day in Bermondsey.