London doesn’t just have pubs-it has a whole underground beer scene that’s been brewing for over a decade. If you’re looking for more than just a pint of lager with your mates, the city’s craft beer culture is thriving, and it’s not hiding in basements anymore. It’s in converted warehouses, tucked into alleyways, and spilling out of street-level taprooms where the beer is local, the hops are bold, and the atmosphere is anything but boring.
Where the Beer Is the Star
Forget the traditional British pub with its sticky floors and six beers on tap. The best craft beer spots in London treat beer like wine-each pour has a story, a region, a brewer’s name, and a tasting note. At Brewdog Camden is a flagship craft beer bar and brewery in London that serves over 20 rotating taps and a menu of bold, hop-forward ales, you’ll find IPAs with tropical fruit bursts, stouts aged in bourbon barrels, and sours fermented with local blackberries. The staff don’t just pour drinks-they explain the mash bill, the yeast strain, and why this batch is different from last week’s.
Down in Peckham, The Kernel Brewery is a pioneering London craft brewery founded in 2009, known for its minimalist approach and intensely flavorful pale ales and porters opened its first taproom in 2015. It’s not flashy. No neon signs. No DJs. Just a long wooden counter, a chalkboard listing today’s releases, and a line of regulars who show up every Friday. Their East India Pale Ale has become a benchmark for the city-crisp, dry, with citrus and pine that lingers long after the glass is empty.
Taps Over Bottles: The Rise of the Taproom
More than 60% of London’s top craft beer venues now operate as taprooms, meaning they brew on-site and serve straight from the source. This isn’t just about freshness-it’s about control. When a brewery controls every step, from grain to glass, the flavor stays true.
Beavertown Brewery is a London-based craft brewery founded in 2012, famous for its signature Neck Oil IPA and vibrant, street-art-inspired branding in Tottenham has a rooftop terrace with views of the city skyline and a menu that changes daily. Their Tropic Thunder IPA uses Citra and Mosaic hops to deliver flavors of mango, pineapple, and grapefruit. It’s the kind of beer that makes you rethink what a London pub can be.
Meanwhile, in Shoreditch, Brew by Numbers is a London craft brewery known for its numbered beer releases and experimental, small-batch brews turns every Friday into a tasting event. They release a new beer every week, labeled only by a number-no name, no description. You taste it blind, then vote online. The winner gets a full batch brewed next month. It’s like a beer roulette, and regulars come back every week to see what’s next.
Beer and Food: When the Pairing Matters
London’s craft beer scene doesn’t stop at the tap. The best places pair their brews with food that actually complements them-not just burgers and chips.
The Hop & Hound is a craft beer pub in London’s Borough Market known for its rotating taps and elevated pub food, including smoked brisket and artisanal cheese boards in Borough Market serves a Barrel-Aged Stout with a plate of aged cheddar, pickled walnuts, and dark honey. The beer’s roasted coffee notes cut through the cheese’s sharpness, while the honey ties it all together. It’s not a snack-it’s an experience.
At The Malt Shovel is a craft beer bar in London with a focus on British ales and cask-conditioned beers, located in a historic building near Covent Garden, they bring in local butchers for weekly meat platters paired with cask ales. You’ll find a malty ESB with a plate of pork belly and apple slaw, or a hoppy Saison with spiced lamb sausages. The chef doesn’t just add herbs-he thinks about bitterness, body, and carbonation.
Hidden Gems You Won’t Find on Google Maps
Some of the best spots aren’t on Instagram. They’re in back rooms, above bookshops, or behind unmarked doors.
Head to The Blind Pig is a hidden craft beer bar in London’s Soho, accessible through a secret entrance behind a bookshelf, offering rare and international brews in Soho. You won’t see a sign. Just a plain wooden door with a small brass bell. Ring it, and if there’s space, you’ll be let in. Inside, you’ll find 30 taps with beers from Japan, Belgium, and the Pacific Northwest. They keep a logbook where patrons write notes on what they tried. One entry from last month: "Belgian Quadrupel with fig jam. Tasted like Christmas in a glass."
Another secret? The Hop & Thistle is a small, family-run craft beer bar in London’s Clapham, specializing in British farmhouse ales and wild ferments in Clapham. It’s a 12-seat bar run by a couple who brew their own sour ales in the basement. No menu. You ask what’s on tap, and they pour you three small tasters. If you like one, they’ll give you a full glass. If not, they’ll tell you why it’s not for everyone-and recommend something else.
When to Go and What to Expect
London’s craft beer scene doesn’t run on pub hours. Most taprooms open at 4 p.m. and stay open until midnight or later. Weekends are packed. If you want a seat at The Kernel or Brewdog, show up before 6 p.m. Weeknights are quieter, and the staff have more time to chat.
Don’t expect to find lagers on draft unless they’re a craft version. Most places focus on ales-IPAs, stouts, sours, and saisons. Prices range from £5.50 for a 330ml pour to £12 for a 500ml flight. It’s more than a pint, but you’re paying for quality, not just volume.
Bring cash. Some smaller spots still don’t take cards. And if you’re new to craft beer, ask for a flight. Three 150ml samples let you taste four different styles without committing to a full pint.
What to Try Next
If you’ve only had mainstream beer, start here:
- London Pale Ale - Light, crisp, with citrus notes. Perfect for beginners.
- Imperial Stout - Thick, dark, with chocolate and coffee. Best after dinner.
- Wild Sour - Tart, funky, sometimes with fruit. Not for everyone, but unforgettable.
- Session IPA - Lower alcohol, big flavor. Easy to drink three in a row.
Keep a notebook. Write down the names, the flavors, the places. You’ll start recognizing patterns. That hoppy IPA you loved at Brewdog? You’ll find another one at The Malt Shovel. That sour you tried at The Blind Pig? You’ll hunt for it again.
Why This Isn’t Just a Trend
London’s craft beer boom isn’t a fad. It’s a shift. In 2010, there were fewer than 20 independent breweries in the city. Today, there are over 200. People care about where their beer comes from. They care about the people behind it. They care about the ingredients.
And it’s not just about drinking. It’s about community. You’ll see brewers chatting with customers. You’ll see strangers sharing a table because they both liked the same sour. You’ll hear someone say, "This tastes like my grandad’s garden in Kent." That’s the magic. It’s not just beer. It’s memory, place, and connection.
What’s the best time to visit London’s craft beer bars?
Weeknights, especially Tuesday to Thursday, are the quietest and best for chatting with staff. Weekends are lively but crowded-arrive before 6 p.m. to secure a seat. Many taprooms open at 4 p.m., so that’s the ideal time to start.
Are craft beer bars in London expensive?
Prices are higher than traditional pubs-expect £5.50 to £12 per pint, depending on the beer. But you’re paying for small-batch, high-quality ingredients and brewing expertise. Flights of three 150ml pours (around £10) let you sample multiple styles without overspending.
Do I need to know a lot about beer to enjoy these places?
No. Most staff are happy to guide you. Ask for a flight or say, "I like something hoppy but not too bitter." They’ll match you with a beer. The best places make newcomers feel welcome, not intimidated.
Can I buy beer to take home?
Yes. Most taprooms sell cans and bottles to go. Brewdog, The Kernel, and Beavertown all have takeaway counters. Some smaller bars like The Blind Pig sell limited bottles too. Check their social media for weekend releases.
Are there any beer walking tours in London?
Yes. Companies like Beer Tasting London and Brew & Walk offer guided tours through neighborhoods like Shoreditch, Camden, and Bermondsey. Tours last 2-3 hours and include 4-5 tastings with expert commentary. Book ahead-spots fill up fast.
London’s craft beer scene isn’t about chasing the next big thing. It’s about finding the right place, the right pour, and the right people. You don’t need a beer degree. You just need to show up, ask a question, and taste something new.
