If you are a fan of craft beers, then you have come to the right place. London has some of the finest craft beers at its disposal and some of the best bars to go with it.
I mean there really is almost much to choose from, so being spoilt for choice I’m going to pick out a handful of the best.
I’m going to start this list with a bang and open with Brew Dog. Oh no he didn’t!?
He did! Brew Dog started in Fraserburgh, Scotland back in 2007 by Martin and James. They were selling their own brew out the back of their van at markets and such.
By 2015 they had over 540 employees, 32,000 shareholders and 44 bars, so they clearly found a hit on their hands.
They have bars across London, Soho, Clapham Junction, Camden, Clerkenwell, Shoreditch and Shepherds Bush so there’s one near you, no excuses.
I’m going to pick out Clapham Junction, which has the full selection of Brew Dog available and it also does charcuterie and cheese to compliment the fine tastes of its brew.
There’s also a terrace to enjoy the weather south of the river.
Next up is the Craft Beer Co. and unlike Brew Dog, the Craft Beer Co. have a vast variety of beer handpicked and sourced from around the UK.
Even little-known brewers from all over the world feature and Craft Beer Co have brought them all together in pubs dotted around London.
You can find a Craft Beer Co. in Brixton, Clerkenwell, Islington, Clapham and Covent Garden. Started in 2011 by school friends Martin Hayes and Peter Slezak, they wanted to bring back the “old school pub values” and they certainly have.
Looking at the cask menu at the Brixton branch. you can see such names like Electric Brixton and Mangoes to Brixton, clearly a selection you wouldn’t find anywhere else.
The Exmouth Arms located in the beautiful Exmouth Market is a haven for craft beers and just a great authentic pub atmosphere. Populated by the locals and workers of the area it is never quiet but never without room for one more table.
The pub itself has been around a lot longer than the craft beer fad but hats off to it for steering clear of the commercial pumps.
They do have the more popular craft beers as well as the not so well known, so if you have a friend who isn’t so down with the craft beers they can still have a Camden Hells while you indulge yourself on a Harviestoun Schiehallion or even a Magic Rock Human Cannonball.
Of course, no pub is complete without grub, and with a solid selection of bar snacks such as Louisiana Hot Wings & Blue Cheese, and mouth watering mains like a Smoked Merguez Hot Dog, The Exmouth Arms really is the complete package and well worth a visit.
Even if you’re not a huge craft beer fan, these pubs have a lot to offer in the way of atmosphere and you will always be able to find something you like on the taps.
The staff are always very accommodating and are more than happy to let you have a few tasters, after all the beers will be rotating and some so new nobody will have tried it, so it really does come with the territory so don’t worry and just enjoy.
WORDS BY STUART GRAHAME
Stuart is one of our regular hosts and over the years has become something of an expert in dating. Watch out for his regular posts full of dating tips and advice.