When it comes to good beer, London has it all – from cosy pubs and cool beer gardens to alcohol-free bars, taprooms and beer miles... 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.
Discover the best London breweries and distilleries to grab a drink.
Best breweries in London
1. Guinness Open Gate Brewery
Be among the first to check out the new Guinness Open Gate Brewery, opening at the aptly named Old Brewer’s Yard in Covent Garden this December. Find out about the rich history and heritage of one of the world's most famous stouts and get involved with immersive experiences, brewery tours and beer tastings. Sample a range of rotating, limited-edition craft brews and seasonal specials, including non-stout varieties. The new venue also houses several bars and restaurants, event spaces and a Guinness shop.
Where: 1 Mercer Walk, WC2H 9FA
2. 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
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 on-site after taking a "brewer for the day" tour, which teaches you how to brew your own beer.
Where: 1 Bellweather Lane, SW18 1UD
4. The Kernel Brewery
Sample 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 brewhouses, 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
5. Big Penny Social
Enjoy a rotating selection of locally brewed beer, alongside a range of drinks and mouthwatering food, at Big Penny Social in Walthamstow. Part of the Blackhorse Beer Mile, this vast community venue features a huge beer hall with 82 beer taps and a massive beer garden. It also hosts everything from live comedy and sports screenings to quiz nights and craft markets.
Where: 1 Priestley Way, E17 6AL
6. Camden Town Brewery
Discover a proud team of brewers at Camden Town Brewery, set under the railway arches in Camden. Tour the brewhouse to see where the magic happens, before trying 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
7. 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 on-site 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
8. 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
9. 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
10. 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
11. 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 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
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. 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
14. 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
15. Mother Kelly's
Inspired by New York’s taprooms, Mother Kelly's has four venues across London that specialise in offering delicious beer from the finest independent breweries. Head over to Bethnal Green, Vauxhall, Stratford or Tottenham Hale to peruse a wide selection of draught taps and ever-changing beers in laid-back spaces including converted railway arches. You can either taste your chosen brews on-site, alongside tasty treats and other tipples such as cider and wine, or take them home, as the venues operate as both taprooms and bottle shops.
Where: 251 Paradise Row, E2 9LE (Bethnal Green), 76 Albert Embankment, SE1 7TP (Vauxhall), 27-30 Victory Parade, E20 1FS (Stratford), 16 Ashley Road, N17 9ST (Tottenham Hale)
16. 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
Best microbreweries in London
17. 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
18. 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
19. The Dial – Home of Meantime
Check out The Dial – Home of Meantime's newly revamped immersive taproom in Greenwich, a great, chilled microbrewery to grab a pint with friends, enjoy delicious bites, watch live sport and discover talented local artists. From fresh takes on Meantime classics to small-batch experiments straight from the tanks, sample a range of delicious beers all brewed on-site.
Where: Unit 3, Green Place, Peninsula Square, SE10 0PE
20. 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
Brewery tours and beer tasting in London
21. 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
22. 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
23. 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
24. 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 brewhouse 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
25. 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
Best beer miles in London
Bermondsey Beer Mile
Stretching over two miles of former railway arches in south London, the Bermondsey Beer Mile is a firm favourite with beer lovers and Londoners alike. It's the original London beer mile, linking 15 craft breweries throughout the neighbourhood.
Blackhorse Beer Mile
London's latest entry into the beer trails with nine stops, the Blackhorse Beer Mile winds its way through a collection of warehouses and trading units that have recently opened up to the public in the north-east London borough of Walthamstow.
Orange Mile
The Orange Mile in north London offers a different beer trail experience using the London Overground to explore 15 craft breweries along the outskirts of central London, starting from Camden and ending up all the way east in Hackney Wick.
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 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.
