London’s craft beer scene isn’t just growing-it’s exploding
Forget the same old lagers and pub ales. If you’re after real flavor, bold hops, and local character, London’s craft beer nightlife has become one of the most exciting in Europe. You don’t need to go far beyond the Tube map to find a place where brewers are fermenting everything from sour IPAs to oatmeal stouts with ingredients like black garlic, elderflower, and even smoked sea salt. This isn’t about drinking beer-it’s about tasting a story.
Where to start: The neighborhoods that do craft beer right
Not all of London’s beer bars are created equal. Some are tucked into basement warehouses. Others sit beside historic pubs that’ve been pouring ales since the 1800s. The best spots cluster in a few key areas.
Shoreditch is the heart of it all. Here, you’ll find Beavertown Brewery a pioneering London craft brewery founded in 2012, known for its hop-forward beers like Gamma Ray IPA and Neck Oil. Their taproom on the edge of the neighborhood is packed on weekends, but the staff know their stuff and will guide you through their rotating taps. Try the Tesseract, a triple IPA that’s surprisingly smooth for 9% ABV.
Brixton has become a hotspot thanks to Brixton Brewery a community-focused craft brewery established in 2014, famous for its accessible, flavorful ales like Brixton Lager and Black Sheep IPA. Their bar feels like a local living room-no pretense, just good beer and vinyl spinning in the background. The Black Sheep IPA is their signature: citrusy, crisp, and under 5% ABV, perfect for a long night.
Peckham might surprise you. Once overlooked, it’s now home to St. Peter’s Brewery a London-based craft brewery known for its experimental small-batch beers and sustainable brewing practices, including their popular Pilsner and Hazy IPA’s pop-up taproom. They focus on low-intervention brewing, using organic barley and natural yeast. The Hazy IPA here tastes like ripe mango and pineapple with a soft, pillowy finish.
What makes a craft beer bar in London stand out?
It’s not just the beer. It’s the whole experience.
Look for places that pour from on-site taps. If the brewery is based in London, and the beer is poured fresh from the keg within hours of packaging, you’re getting the real deal. Many top spots-like The Kernel Brewery a Southwark-based craft brewery founded in 2009, credited with kickstarting London’s modern craft beer movement with its bold, hoppy pale ales and barrel-aged stouts-only serve their own brews. No outside bottles. No mass-market lagers. Just their latest batch.
Another sign of quality? Rotation. The best bars change their taps every week, sometimes every few days. If you see a board listing 12+ beers with names like Strawberry Sour with Yuzu or Imperial Stout Aged in Bourbon Barrels, that’s not marketing-it’s passion.
And don’t overlook the staff. In London’s top craft beer spots, bartenders don’t just pour-they explain. Ask what’s new. Ask what they’re excited about. You’ll often get a free sample of something off-menu.
Top 5 craft beer bars you can’t miss
- The Kernel Brewery (Bermondsey) - The original game-changer. Their pale ales set the standard for London. Go on a Thursday for their Barrel-Aged Series release.
- Beavertown Brewery (Shoreditch) - Big, bold, and unapologetic. The taproom has food trucks outside and a patio that stays open late.
- Brixton Brewery (Brixton) - The most welcoming spot. Their Black Sheep IPA is a crowd favorite, and they host live music every Friday.
- St. Peter’s Brewery Pop-Up (Peckham) - Small, quiet, and experimental. Try the Hazy IPA or the Smoked Porter if it’s on.
- Brick Lane Beer Company (Spitalfields) - A hidden gem with 16 taps and a focus on sour and wild ales. Their Lemon & Ginger Sour is perfect if you like tart flavors.
When to go: Timing matters
Weekends in Shoreditch and Brixton get packed. If you want to actually sit down and sip without elbowing strangers, go on a weekday evening-Wednesday to Friday between 6 and 9 PM is ideal. Most places open at 4 PM and stay open until 1 AM, with some (like Beavertown) staying open until 2 AM on Fridays and Saturdays.
Don’t miss Beer Festivals. In February, the London Craft Beer Festival takes over the Old Truman Brewery with over 100 brewers from across the UK. Tickets sell out fast, but it’s the only place you can try 20+ rare London-only releases in one night.
What to order: Beyond the IPA
Yes, IPAs dominate. But London’s best craft brewers are pushing boundaries.
- Sour Ales - Tart, fruity, and refreshing. Look for Lacto Sours with passionfruit or raspberry. The Kernel’s Summer Sour is a must-try.
- Stouts - Not just coffee-flavored. Try Imperial Stouts aged in rum or bourbon barrels. Beavertown’s Black Rock tastes like dark chocolate and burnt caramel.
- Pilsners - Don’t underestimate a clean, crisp lager. St. Peter’s Pilsner is the gold standard in London for balance and drinkability.
- Wild Ales - Fermented with wild yeast, these beers taste earthy, funky, and complex. Brick Lane’s Wild Berry is a standout.
What to avoid
Not every bar calling itself "craft" deserves the label.
Avoid places with:
- More than 3 mainstream lagers on tap (Heineken, Carlsberg, Stella)
- No information on the beer styles or ABV
- Beer served in plastic cups or with no glassware
- A menu that lists "IPA" without any details-like the hop variety or fermentation method
If the bartender can’t tell you what makes their beer different, keep walking.
How much should you expect to pay?
Prices vary, but here’s the reality:
- £5-£7 for a 500ml pint of craft beer at a good bar
- £8-£12 for a limited release or barrel-aged beer
- £3-£5 for a 330ml bottle of a popular brew to take home
That’s more than a lager, yes-but you’re paying for ingredients, small-batch brewing, and flavor you won’t find anywhere else. Many places offer tasting flights of 4-5 beers for £12-£18. That’s the best way to explore without overcommitting.
What’s next for London’s craft beer scene?
2025 saw a surge in hyper-local brewing. Breweries are now sourcing hops from Kent, barley from East Anglia, and even water filtered through London’s own aquifers. Some, like Wild Card Brewery a London-based craft brewery known for its innovative, ingredient-driven beers and strong community ties, including their popular Pale Ale and Sour IPA, are even using yeast harvested from local fruit trees.
Expect more zero-waste bars and brewery cafés that serve food made from spent grain-think beer-braised burgers, sourdough bread, and oat cookies. Sustainability isn’t a trend here-it’s part of the identity.
And the vibe? It’s changing. No more loud music and neon signs. The best spots now feel like a cross between a library and a lab-quiet, thoughtful, and full of people genuinely excited about what’s in their glass.
What’s the best time of year to visit London for craft beer?
Winter and early spring are ideal. February brings the London Craft Beer Festival, and many breweries release their limited batches in January and February to coincide with the colder months. Bars also rotate their taps more frequently during this time, offering seasonal brews you won’t find in summer.
Can I visit breweries without a tour?
Yes. Most London craft breweries have open taprooms where you can walk in, order a pint, and chat with the brewers. The Kernel, Beavertown, and Brixton Brewery all welcome walk-ins daily. No reservation needed unless you’re bringing a group of 8 or more.
Are there any craft beer pubs with food?
Absolutely. Beavertown has a rotating lineup of food trucks outside. The Kernel has a small kitchen serving smoked brisket sandwiches and cheese boards made with British cheddar. Brick Lane Beer Company pairs their sours with pickled vegetables and sourdough flatbreads. Many places now use spent grain from brewing to make bread, burgers, and even cookies.
Is London’s craft beer scene better than Manchester’s or Bristol’s?
It’s different, not better. Manchester has stronger lagers and a bigger indie scene. Bristol leans into sour and wild ales. London wins on variety and innovation-you’ll find more experimental styles here, from coffee stouts to kombucha-infused ales. If you want to try the widest range of styles in one city, London is unmatched.
How do I know if a beer is truly craft?
Look for the brewery name on the tap list. True craft breweries in London are independent, small-scale, and produce under 500,000 hectoliters per year. If the beer is made by a big brand like Heineken or AB InBev-even if it’s labeled "craft"-it’s not. Stick to names you don’t recognize from supermarkets. If the brewery has its own taproom in London, it’s almost certainly craft.
