When it comes to good beer, London has it all – from cosy pubs and cool beer gardens to alcohol-free bars and taprooms... And with more than 120 breweries in London, places to grab a pint aren’t limited!
From industrial warehouses and local breweries to pop-up events and brewery tours, the London beer industry will soon hold no more secrets.
Here’s a pick of the best London breweries and distilleries to grab a drink.
Best breweries in London
1. Great Beyond Brewing Company
Sip on crisp lagers and hoppy IPAs, or explore bold sours and rich porters at the Great Beyond Brewing Company taproom. Tucked under a railway arch in vibrant Hoxton, spend the day chilling with friends over the selection of board games, or see in the evening after a day strolling nearby Columbia Road Flower Market.
Where: 416 Union Walk, E2 8HP
2. The Kernel Brewery
Discover a great range of pale ales, IPA and stouts at The Kernel Brewery in Bermondsey. Founded in 2009, the brewery is one of London's first craft brew houses, which puts quality before quantity and aims to be as sustainable as possible with a limited choice of brews.
Where: 132 Spa Road, SE16 3AE
3. Sambrook's Brewery
Sambrook's Brewery is located inside a converted Victorian brewery in Wandsworth's Ram Quarter and boasts a new brewery, visitor centre and taproom set across two floors. Grab a seat on the outdoor terrace and enjoy handcrafted British beers brewed onsite after taking a "brewer for the day" tour, which teaches you how to brew your own beer.
Where: 1 Bellweather Lane, SW18 1UD
4. Camden Town Brewery
Discover a proud team of brewers at Camden Town Brewery, set under the railway arches in Camden. Tour the brew house to see where the magic happens, before you try all the other brews in the tasting room, including lager, pale ale, stout and limited-edition beers.
Where: 55-59 Wilkin Street Mews, NW5 3NN
5. Crate Brewery
Sit by the river Lea in Hackney Wick and let your hair down at Crate Brewery. Sample a range of fresh beers brewed onsite or discover handpicked craft beers from all over the world. Grab a stone-baked pizza or head to Silo, the world’s first zero-waste restaurant, in the White Building.
Where: Unit 7 Queen's Yard, E9 5EN
6. Hackney Church Brew Co.
It’s worth heading down to Hackney Church Brew Co. just for the beauty of the industrial building. But while you’re there, sample the range of beers made by its expert brewing team and sit in the beautiful courtyard to enjoy your tipple alfresco.
Where: 17 Bohemia Place, E8 1DU
7. Howling Hops
Quench your thirst with bold beers from Hackney Wick's Howling Hops brewery, where the tanks are connected directly to the taps. Take your pick from the Tropical Deluxe Pale Ale or the strong Platform Contest, alongside more tank-tastic sour beers. And if a pint is not enough, order a flagon.
Where: Unit 9A Queen's Yard, E9 5EN
8. Brick Brewery
Located on the original spot of its brewing site, Brick Brewery in Peckham has now turned its venue into a cool London taproom with 20 beers from Brick and guests. Grab a classic Peckham Pale or an Elderberry and Almond Sour, which tastes like dessert in a glass. A part of the sale of rich and bitter Heart N Soul goes to an award-winning charity of the same name, which supports people with learning disabilities.
Where: 209 Blenheim Grove, SE15 4QL
9. German KRAFT Brewery
Drink authentic German-style beer from German KRAFT Brewery, straight from the tank and locally brewed in Mercato Metropolitano. Pick from the all-year-round Pale Ale, Helles Lager and German wheat beer, or try a seasonal one full of character – all beers are unfiltered and unpasteurised which makes them suitable for vegans.
Where: 42 Newington Causeway, SE1 6DR
10. Campfire King's Cross
Campfire King's Cross is much more than just a brewery; it’s Two Tribes' Brewery taproom and outdoor event space bringing together a community of like-minded creatives. Head to the beer garden during the summer months to celebrate art, music and beer over good food.
Where: Tileyard London, N7 9AH
11. Against The Grain Cidery
Cider-lovers are spoilt for choice at Against The Grain Cidery – a taproom, bar and restaurant rolled into one in south-west London featuring a menu of freshly brewed beers, craft ciders, wine and cocktails. Grab a seat in the no-frills space with artwork lining the walls and soak up the alcohol with a wood-fired pizza on the weekends.
Where: 27 Summerstown, SW17 0BQ
12. Babel Beerhouse
Invite friends to Babel Beerhouse in Coal Drops Yard, where you can find a variety of lagers, IPAs and craft beers, an extensive menu of wines and cocktails, and the option to taste six draughts of your choice in a beer flight. Set in an airy, state-of-the-art space, the brewery cooks up a range of mouthwatering food options from stonebaked pizzas to gourmet burgers.
Where: 1 Lewis Cubitt Walk, N1C 4DL
13. The Barrel Project
Hidden away under a Victorian rail arch, London Beer Factory’s The Barrel Project welcomes you for craft beer, cocktails and street food on the Bermondsey Beer Mile. The hybrid venue in south London organises a great roster of events and is home to more than 200 barrels for aging.
Where: 80 Druid Street, SE1 2HQ
Brewery tours and beer tasting in London
14. Fuller's Brewery Tours
Join a two-hour tour of Fuller's Brewery to uncover the secrets of good British beer-making. Find out about the heritage of brewing, how beer is made today and what goes into a pint. When the tour ends, you'll be rewarded with a tasting of some of Fuller’s best ales.
Where: 160 Chiswick Lane, W4 2QB
15. 3 Locks Brewing Company
Book the Guided Tasting and Brewery Tour at 3 Locks Brewing Company in Camden Market for a deep dive into the world of brewing. Learn how different beers are crafted to perfection as you are guided through a six beer flight tasting, and even a taste of beer straight from the tap in the brewhouse.
Where: 15 Water Lane, NW1 8JY
16. The Five Points Brewing Company Tours
Join one of The Five Points Brewing Company Tours in which your guide takes you through the brewing process and the ingredients used to make a pint. The 90-minute visit ends, of course, with a tutored beer tasting which introduces you to four of the brewery's best ales.
Where: 61 Mare Street, E8 4RG
17. Beavertown Brewery Tours
Beavertown Brewery opens its doors every Saturday and throws a cool lineup of events to promote its London beer. Meet the people behind the quirky brew house and what’s in your glass, and ask them all the questions you may have. Grab a beer on tap, including the popular Neck Oil and Double Chin.
Where: Unit 17 Lockwood Industrial Park, N17 9QP
Top London gin distillery tours
18. Hayman's of London
Hayman’s of London takes you behind-the-scenes on a 75-minute tour. Learn about the family in charge since 1863, discover the traditional ways of classic gin-making and taste some of their production. The Balham distillery also throws cool events including cocktail masterclasses and seasonal events.
Where: 8 Weir Road, SW12 0GT
Microbreweries in London
19. London Beer Lab Taproom and Nano Brewery
Forget micro, it's all about nano! That's according to the London Beer Lab Taproom and Nano Brewery, anyway. Located in Brixton's Herne Hill neighbourhood, this tiny taproom boasts a 30 line selection of draughts, ideal for finding that perfect sip. With tastings, beer making experiences and much more on offer, this could just be a beer lover's paradise.
Where: Arch 41 Railway Arches, SW9 8BP
20. Southwark Brewing Company
Nestled away in the arches of Southwark, you'll find the aptly named Southwark Brewing Company. Since opening in 2014, this small taproom has brewed more than a whopping 150 different beers, so it's fair to say it knows a thing or two about pouring a good pint! Ideal for a post-work drink or a weekend jaunt, Southwark Brewing Company is well and truly worth a visit.
Where: 46 Druid Street, SE1 2EZ
21. Hammerton Brewery
"Bringing brewing back to Islington", Hammerton Brewery isn't playing around when it comes to great beer. Within its recently refurbished taproom, you'll find an array of 20 different home-brewed beers, from mouthwatering IPAs, pale ales and pilsners to black forest gateau stouts – this microbrewery is a must-visit for any serious beer fans.
Where: 149 Roman Way, N7 8XH
Best beer festivals and events in London
StrEATlife
Enjoy Alexandra Palace’s annual street food and craft beer festival, StrEATlife, featuring 20 of London’s top street food vendors, craft beer and cocktail connoisseurs, as well as DJs and live bands to keep spirits up. 24-25 May
Pub in the Park
Head to Gunnersbury Park for Pub in the Park to enjoy delicious food and drink from top London gastropubs and independent producers, as well as a lineup of fantastic live performances and live cooking demos from top UK chefs. 30 May-1 Jun
City Beerfest
Step inside historic Guildhall Yard to taste more than 40 top-notch beers and ales, all the while raising money for charity, at City Beerfest. Take your pick from a mouthwatering selection of tipples from some of the UK and Europe's finest brewers, plus enjoy tasty street food and live entertainment at this fun annual event. 3 Jul
BREW//LDN
Discover bold flavours and creative concoctions at BREW//LDN, the UK’s largest and most diverse craft drinks festival. Pick from a lineup of more than 100 premium craft beers from female-owned, local and eco-friendly breweries. Pair your drinks with delicious international street food and vibe to up-and-coming DJs. 8 Jul
London Craft Beer Festival
Join 20,000 people at Magazine London in Greenwich for the London Craft Beer Festival, where you can sample 800-plus beers from more than 100 breweries. This all-inclusive beer festival also has some of the finest food spots and artisanal snacks for you to try. 18-19 Jul
Discover more top pubs and bars in London, take in the views from one of the best riverside pubs, or cosy up in one of the city's favourite traditional pubs.
