Microbreweries are blossoming all over the UK and are adding a welcome variation to Carling and Stella Artois that have been dominating the pumps of mainstream pubs for far too long. These small breweries are creating everything from local craft beers, pale ales to stouts and lagers. So while I’m in England, I’ve been spending my busy days sampling the best beers of the capital. Here are some of the fine drinks that I have come across during my brief stay in London.
Camden Town Brewery
Three years ago, Camden Town Brewery brewed its first batch of beer and the company has never looked back. The company, which was originally founded by an Australian with a love of fine beer, is now a big name in the city and produces upwards of 80,000 pints per week.
The Best Pint
Camden Hells Lager, Camden Town Brewery
ABV: 4.6%
Camden Hells Lager is a crisp, dry lager that’s as refreshing as it is delicious. The drink, which is inspired by German lager, has a premium white head and a light and sweetish flavour.
Where to Go
You can sample some of the finest pale ales and stouts at the Brewery Bar, 55-59 Wilken Street Mews, Kentish Town. Camden Town Brewery also runs a food truck, which serves gourmet fast food.
Sambrook’s Brewery
In 2008 Duncan Sambrook launched his own microbrewery, aptly named Sambrook’s Brewery. Luckily, Sambrook put more thought into brewing his beers than he did in coming up with a name for his company. The brewery, which is based in Battersea, produces a fine range of ales.
The Best Pint
Junction, Sambook’s Brewery
ABV: 4.5%
Sambrook’s Junction has a strong aroma of heather and honey. The flavour is smooth and slightly malty and has a sweet fruity aftertaste with a hint of spiciness that works well in the winter season. Powerhouse Porter, which is a seasonal winter ale brewed by Sambrook’s Brewery is also worth checking out.
Where to Go
Sambrook’s Brewery do not have a Public House, but you can join an organised tour of the Brewery or order direct from the brewers. If this sounds like something you’d be interested in then head to Unit 1 & 2 Yelverton Road, Battersea.
Beavertown
Beavertown Brewery is run the son of Robert Plant from Led Zeppelin. Although this doesn’t give Owen brewing credentials, it has resulted in some pretty cool beer labels. Of course, beer labels alone do not make a great beer! The brewery offers a range of pale ales and dark stouts.
The Best Pint
Stingy Jack, Beavertown Brewery
ABV: 7.2%
Stingy Jack is a pumpkin ale that has to be tried. The spiced pale ale has a spicy Christmas flavour: nutmeg and cinnamon are combined with maple syrup to create a beautifully balanced beer.
Where to Go
Beavertown runs Dukes Brew & Que in Dalston. The Public House is a BBQ restaurant offering fine Texas steaks and good old fashioned American staples. You can find the pub at 33 Downham Road, De Beauvoir Town, Hackney.
Kernel Brewery
Kernel Brewery was opened in 2009 and has already picked up two prestigious awards from the Society of Independent Brewers. The prizes are well deserved, given the amount of time and thought that has gone into the brewing. The Brewery has a small selection of beers and currently offer pale ales, porters and stouts.
The Best Pint
Centennial, the Kernel Brewery
ABV: 5.9%
Centennial is an American style India Pale Ale – don’t think about it too long – that is light and has a rich fruity flavour with a firm bitter aftertaste. The aroma is full of citrus scents, with grapefruit and elderflowers.
Where to Go
The Kernel Brewery runs the Kernel, which is located under one of the arches on Dockley Road – Arch 11, Dockley Road Industrial Estate, Bermondsey – and is simple and unpretentious. A word of caution, Kernel can get very busy, making it a long wait for a pint.
The Florence Brewery
The Florence Brewery is based in South London and has a range of beers that it brews under the Florence name as well as its A Head in a Hat Range. The Brewery is managed by Peter who started his career as an explosives engineer.
The Best Pint
Gin, A Head in a Hat
ABV: 4.1%
Gin is a pale ale brewed under the Head in a Hat range. This golden pale ale has been infused with the flavours of gin fruits and spices, which gives the drink a distinctive taste. The body of the ale is sweet and fruity.
Where to Go
Although you can sample the Head in a Hat range in a number of different pubs, the best place to go is The Florence, 131-133 Dulwich Road, London. The pub, as you would expect, has a large range of beers on tap as well as a great beer garden.
Meantime Brewing Company
The Meantime Brewing Company was founded in 2000 by Alastair Hook, who is a graduate of a world famous brewing school. The company has one of the widest range of beers – lager, ale, porter, wheat beer, stout and Pilsner – out of any of the breweries on this list.
The Best Pint
Coffee Porter, Meantime Brewing Company
ABV: 6%
This gold medal winning – Gold medal at the 2006 World Beer Cup – is a thick dark brown, with an aroma of dark chocolate and coffee. The flavour is smooth and creamy, but gets bitter towards the end of the pint.
Where to Go
The Meantime Brewing Company runs The Old Brewery, at the Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich. If you decide to eat in the restaurant you will get a free taster of beer.
Brodie’s Brewery
Brodie’s Brewery is the brainchild of Jamie and Lizzie Brodie who took over an abandoned brewery in 2008. The brewery offers a range – 32 and counting – of porters, pale ales, stouts and lagers.
The Best Pint
Passion, Brodie’s Brewery
ABV: 3.8%
Brodie’s Passion is a hazy light beer with a fruity taste of passion fruit. The flavour is tart, zesty and refreshing with a herbal aroma. The drink has a small head
Where to Go
Brodie’s Brewery is based in the King William IV public house – 816 High Road Leyton – and hotel. Drinks at the bar are cheap, while the inside has the decor of a classic public house.
Howling Hops Brewery
Howling Hops Brewery was started by Ed Taylor. He brews his range of craft beer in the basement of the pub that he runs.
The Best Pint
Smoked Porter, Howling Hops Brewery
ABV: 5.2%
The Howling Hops Smoked Porter is a dark beer with a delicious smokey malted flavour that infuses the taste of dark chocolate. The palate is soft and light and has a mild bitter aftertaste.
Where to Go
Howling Hops Beer is mostly found in The Cock Tavern – 360 North End Road – Fulham. The pub offers a wide selection of classic British dishes to go alongside the craft beers.
London Fields Brewery
London Fields Brewery is based in Hackney and was set up in 2011 by a London local, Jules Whiteway. The brewery has a select range of beers and ales on offer.
The Best Pint
Love Not War, London Fields Brewery
ABV: 4.2%
Love Not War is a fine red ale with a silky texture and a subtle caramel flavour. The taste is at once fruity and sweet, with hints of pear and summer fruit.
Where to Go
London Fields Brewery is based in the Brewhouse in the heart of Hackney – 369-370 Helmsley – in East London. The pub has a nice open courtyard and a spacious interior.
Redemption Brewing Company
Redemption Brewing Company is an award winning local brewery, opened in 2010, based in North London. The brewery prides itself on sourcing its ingredients from the finest local ingredients, which goes a long way to explaining why the beer they brew is so good.
The Best Pint
Fellowship Porter, Redemption Brewing Company
ABV: 5.1%
Fellowship Porter is a dark brown beer that subtly combines the taste of liquorice, coffee, chocolate and fruit. The flavour is at once sweet and bitter with a full body.
Where to Go
Although the Redemption Brewing Company do not run a Public House, it is possible to arrange to do a guided tour of the brewery. The Brewery is located at 2 Compass West Industrial Estate, Tottenham.