London doesn’t just have pubs-it has a craft beer revolution that’s been brewing for over a decade. If you think London nightlife is all about cocktails and clubs, you’re missing out. The city’s beer scene has exploded, with independent breweries turning old warehouses, underground basements, and even disused tube stations into some of the most exciting beer spots in Europe. This isn’t about lager and pub grub. This is about hop-forward IPAs, barrel-aged stouts, sour ales fermented with local fruit, and bartenders who can tell you the exact farm where the barley was grown.
Where to Start: The Heart of London’s Craft Beer Scene
Shoreditch is ground zero. Walk down Brick Lane on a Friday night and you’ll see lines snaking out of Brewdog a global craft beer brand with roots in Scotland, now a major player in London’s beer culture with multiple locations including its flagship taproom in Shoreditch. But don’t stop there. The real gems are the smaller spots. The Kernel Brewery a London-based craft brewery founded in 2009, known for its bold, hoppy IPAs and lagers, and one of the pioneers of the UK craft beer movement started as a homebrew operation in Bermondsey and now runs a no-frills taproom where you can taste fresh beer straight from the source. Their IPA is consistently ranked among the top 10 in the UK by RateBeer users.
Just around the corner, The Camberwell Arms a popular South London pub known for its rotating selection of craft beers from independent UK and international brewers, with a strong focus on local and seasonal offerings has been a staple since 2012. It’s not fancy-wooden benches, exposed brick, and a chalkboard listing 12 taps-but it’s packed every night with people who know their beer. They host weekly tap takeovers with brewers from as far as Portland and Copenhagen.
Hidden Gems You Won’t Find on Google Maps
Some of the best beer experiences in London aren’t advertised. Head to The Good Beer Company a small, independent craft beer bar in Brixton with a rotating selection of 20+ taps and a focus on low-intervention, natural brewing methods in Brixton. It’s tucked above a vintage shop, no sign, just a small green door. Inside, you’ll find sour ales fermented with wild yeast and beers brewed with foraged London ingredients like elderflower and blackberry. The owner, a former brewer from Yorkshire, personally visits each brewery before adding their beer to the list.
In Peckham, The Rake a highly rated craft beer bar in South London, known for its curated selection of British and international craft beers and its commitment to quality over quantity has been called the “Mecca of British beer” by Beer Advocate. It’s tiny-only 20 seats-but it holds 18 taps and changes them daily. Their “Brewer’s Choice” night lets visiting brewers pour their favorite beer, often something not available anywhere else. If you’re there on a Thursday, you might taste a limited batch from BrewDog a global craft beer brand with roots in Scotland, now a major player in London’s beer culture with multiple locations including its flagship taproom in Shoreditch’s experimental lab.
What to Drink: Styles You Can’t Miss
London’s craft brewers don’t stick to one style. Here’s what’s actually good right now:
- West Coast IPA - Hoppy, bitter, citrusy. Try Surrey Hills Brewery a London-area craft brewery known for its crisp, hop-forward IPAs and lagers, with a focus on local ingredients and sustainable brewing practices’s “Sonic Boom.”
- Neapolitan Stout - Chocolate, coffee, and vanilla. Brewer’s Friend a London-based microbrewery specializing in rich, flavorful stouts and porters, often infused with unique ingredients like vanilla bean and roasted hazelnuts’s version is aged in bourbon barrels.
- London Sour - Tart, fruity, refreshing. Beavertown Brewery a London craft brewery known for its bold, flavorful beers and innovative flavor profiles, including popular sour ales and fruit-infused IPAs’s “Lemon Drop Sour” uses real lemon zest from a farm in Kent.
- Low-ABV Lager - Light, crisp, drinkable. Brewdog a global craft beer brand with roots in Scotland, now a major player in London’s beer culture with multiple locations including its flagship taproom in Shoreditch’s “Nanny State” at 0.5% ABV tastes like a real lager, not a watered-down imitation.
Ask for a “flight” - three 1/3-pint pours. Most places charge £8-£12 for a flight. It’s the best way to taste a range without committing to a full pint.
When to Go: Timing Matters
Don’t show up at 9 p.m. on a Friday expecting a quiet pint. The best time to get a seat at The Camberwell Arms a popular South London pub known for its rotating selection of craft beers from independent UK and international brewers, with a strong focus on local and seasonal offerings is 6-7 p.m. on a Wednesday. That’s when the after-work crowd comes in, the taps are fresh, and the staff has time to chat. Many places close early-some at 11 p.m. on weekdays. But if you want late-night, head to The Good Beer Company a small, independent craft beer bar in Brixton with a rotating selection of 20+ taps and a focus on low-intervention, natural brewing methods. They stay open until 1 a.m. on weekends and often have live acoustic sets from local musicians.
What to Avoid
Steer clear of places that list “craft beer” on their menu but only have four taps with the same three brands you see in supermarkets. If the beer list looks like a supermarket shelf-Tetley’s, Carling, Stella Artois-walk out. Real craft spots don’t carry mass-produced lagers. They also won’t have “beer cocktails” or “craft beer slushies.” That’s not beer. That’s a gimmick.
And don’t assume bigger is better. Brewdog a global craft beer brand with roots in Scotland, now a major player in London’s beer culture with multiple locations including its flagship taproom in Shoreditch is great, but it’s a chain. For the real experience, go to places that brew on-site or source directly from microbreweries with fewer than 5,000 barrels a year.
How to Make the Most of It
Download the Untappd a mobile app for beer enthusiasts to log, rate, and discover craft beers, with a strong community of users in the UK and worldwide app. It shows real-time check-ins at bars across London. If a place has 20 people checking in at once, it’s worth a visit. You can also filter by style-search “sour” or “stout” and see what’s nearby.
Join a guided tour. Beer Tours London a local company offering guided walking tours of London’s craft beer scene, visiting multiple independent breweries and pubs in one evening runs three-hour tours every Thursday and Saturday. You’ll hit four spots, get four samples, and learn about the brewing process from a certified Cicerone. It’s £35, and it’s worth every pound.
Final Tip: Bring Cash
Many of the best craft beer spots still don’t take cards. The Rake a highly rated craft beer bar in South London, known for its curated selection of British and international craft beers and its commitment to quality over quantity only accepts cash. Keep £20-£30 on you. You’ll thank yourself later.
What’s the best time of year for craft beer in London?
Late September through November is prime time. That’s when breweries release their autumn and winter batches-spiced stouts, pumpkin ales, and barrel-aged beers. Many host special tap takeovers during this period. October’s London Craft Beer Week is the biggest event of the year, with over 100 venues participating.
Are there any craft beer bars outside central London?
Absolutely. Peckham’s The Rake, Brixton’s The Good Beer Company, and Bermondsey’s The Kernel are all outside Zone 1. Even further out, Brewery Tap a small, community-focused craft beer bar in Clapham with a rotating selection of local and international brews, known for its friendly atmosphere and knowledgeable staff in Clapham and The Tap Room a craft beer bar in Lewisham offering a wide variety of British and international craft beers, with a focus on supporting small independent brewers in Lewisham have excellent selections and fewer crowds.
Can I buy craft beer to take home in London?
Yes. Many breweries sell cans and bottles directly from their taprooms. The Kernel Brewery a London-based craft brewery founded in 2009, known for its bold, hoppy IPAs and lagers, and one of the pioneers of the UK craft beer movement sells 500ml bottles of their bestsellers. Beavertown Brewery a London craft brewery known for its bold, flavorful beers and innovative flavor profiles, including popular sour ales and fruit-infused IPAs has a shop in Tottenham with 50+ cans available. Some pubs like The Rake also sell growlers (reusable 2-liter jugs) to fill on-site.
Is craft beer more expensive in London than other cities?
It’s comparable to other major European cities. A pint of craft beer in London costs £5-£7, similar to Berlin or Amsterdam. In New York or San Francisco, it’s often £8-£10. The difference is variety-London has more independent breweries per square mile than any other city in Europe.
Do I need to book a table at craft beer bars?
Only at the biggest spots like The Kernel’s taproom on weekends. Most places are first-come, first-served. If you’re going to The Rake or The Good Beer Company, just show up. No reservations. No dress code. Just bring your curiosity and an empty stomach.
