If you thought the brewery scene in London was a bit dull a decade ago, you’d be surprised to see that it has all changed now, for the better, of course.
Craft breweries in London are multiplying by the day, so much so that you’d find them just about in any area of London.
There are over 135 breweries in London, so we made a list of the best ones to help you find them much faster.
Best Breweries & Taprooms in London
Battersea Brewery
Battersea Brewery is one of the best breweries South London offers anyone looking for a pint and a vibrant atmosphere.
Located at the iconic Battersea Power Station, Battersea Brewery features a taproom on-site and serves a range of nibbles and sharing boards to complement its tremendous beer selection.
Always fresh, their beer is made by Tom Barlow, a self-taught brewer who started in the cellar of his own pub.
Today, he is known as one of the best brewers in London, making some of the most exciting beers in the London scene. Stop by for a pint of their House beer or the Battersea Brewery Scotch Ale if that’s your thing.
Five Points
When you are out and about Hackney, don’t miss the Five Points Brewing Co.
This independent brewery has been brewing and thriving since 2013. Inspired by traditional British ale and international modern beer, Five Points have been brewing award-winning beers that are unfiltered and unpasteurised for a richer flavour and aroma.
Besides the usual pub setting, you can stop by the brewery for a tour, beer tastings and community events in their backyard that keep the place alive day and night.
Don’t miss out on the ACE pizza to complement your beer, served hot from the pizza oven. Some of the core beers to try are the Five Points Pale, the Railway Porter and the Five Points Best.
Crate Brewery
Situated in the heart of Hackney Wick, Crate Brewery has been the hottest brewery in north-east London since 2012. The canal side craft beer bar and pizzeria is always packed. Londoners come here partly for the beer, partly for the mouthwatering stone-baked pizza.
Pick your spot next to the River Lea and enjoy your favourite pint of IPA, Crate lager, Pale, Cider, or Stout and Porter. And don’t miss out on their famous pizza.
Brixton Brewery
Going south, you will find even more breweries with an even wider range of craft beers.
Brixton Brewery London is one of the best breweries South London can offer visitors in terms of fresh brews and taproom exclusives. Their beer is hand-crafted in small batches, and it’s unpasteurised and unfiltered for maximum flavour.
Founded by two local couples, Brixton Brewery is known for its Atlantic pale ale and Low Voltage session ale, which can be found all across London.
Dog’s Grandad Brewery
Since it opened doors in March 2021, this Brixton micro brewery has been seeing nothing but crowds enjoying their tasty beer.
Located just a five minute walk from Brixton tube, Dog’s Grandad is famed for their vegan-friendly brewing, all done using natural ingredients.
Stop by their taproom from Wednesday to Sunday and try their pale ale, Extra Pale Ale, IPA or check out their store online to order and enjoy their great beer at home.
BBNo
East London is packed with craft breweries, and one of the more popular ones is the Brew By Numbers or BBNo. The micro brewery was established by two friends, Tom and Dave, who taught themselves how to brew. They made their first beer in 2012, and 10 years later, they have over 350 different beers.
Best known for their farmhouse ales and highly-hopped pale ales and IPAs, BBNo was also ranked as one of the Top 100 Breweries in The World by RateBeer.
BBNo has two taprooms, one in Bermondsey and one in Morden Wharf, but they also sell their beer in the Peckham barrel store or online.
Kernel Brewery
Kernel Brewery is the first brewery to open on the famous Bermondsey Beer Mile. Founded by Evin O’Riordain in 2009, today, Kernel Brewery brews a wide-range of beers, from American-inspired pale ales and IPAs to traditional London porters and stouts. They are named in the top 50 Breweries in the world by Rate Beer.
Make a point to drop in and try their Table Beer, which has been guests’s favourite since 2012 or any of the 17 different draughts on tap available at their Arch 7 taproom. It’s often regarded as the best watering hole on the Bermondsey Beer Mile. The place is open from Thursday to Sunday and it’s best to book in advance.
Brick Brewery
Brick Brewery London is a craft beer micro brewery building beer in the heart of Peckham since 2013. It is one of the best craft breweries in London, serving casks, kegs and bottles at its taproom under the arches at Peckham Rye.
The family-owned, award-winning, and independent brewery in South East London is passionate about crafting great quality beer and pub classics to complement each pint.
Try the famous Pale APA or Session IPA, or any of the 20 different beers at any given time.
Gipsy Hill
Gipsy Hill Brewery is an independent brewery nestled at the base of Gipsy Hill, South London. The story of one of the best breweries in South London started in 2013 when friends Charlie and Sam joined forces to brew the best beer they could.
Over the years, they evolved their brewing skills and in 2015, Dissident and Hepcat were born.
Hepcat, a session IPA, is still their best-selling beer. Today, Gipsy Hill Brewery has 24 employees, several tap rooms across London and 25 brew tanks.
Besides the Hepcat, Gipsy Hill’s core beers to try include the Hunter (Helles Lager), the Baller (IPA) and the Bandit (gluten-free Pale).
Anspach & Hobday
Anspach & Hobday is a craft brewery making beer in South London. Founded in 2012 by Paul Anspach & Jack Hobday, today, the thriving brewery has two taprooms: the Arch House in the arches on the iconic Bermondsey beer mile and the Croydon taproom.
They are known for their Porter, but you can always try some of their core beers like the Pale, The IPA, The Lager, The Smoked Brown and The Cream Ale.
Cronx
Established in 2012 by former alcohol wholesaler Mark Russell and former city worker Simon Dale, the Cronx brewery is an award-winning brewery providing authentic craft beer brewed in Croydon.
Cronx brews a traditional British range and some interesting fruit concoctions you ought to try. Stop by to sample their range of Pop Up IPA, Cronx Lager Pilsner, Standard Bitter or Kotchin Blonde. They also sell canned lagers with interesting details. ‘
Meantime
If you are looking for a craft brewery that has it all, head down to Meantime in Greenwich. Meantime was founded in 1999 by Alastair Hook, but today it’s part of Japan’s Asahi Breweries.
This craft brewery offers great fun with its guided tours, tutored beer tastings, pie and a pint nights accompanied by classic bar staples like burgers and wings.
The popular beers are London Pale Ale and London Lager, which can be found in almost any pub across London.
BrewDog
BrewDog is the #1 craft brewer in Europe. They make world-class craft beer and serve delicious food to go with it.
Located just around the corner from Covent Garden, BrewDog’s ideal location makes it a popular stop for thirsty and hungry passers-by and regular guests as well.
Don’t miss out on trying their Punk IPA and Hazy Jane, which are the guests’ favourites.
Two Tribes
If you have never been to a brewery, Two Tribes will set your expectations high. This contemporary brewhouse is located in King’s Cross and is worth spending some time.
The relatively new micro brewery in London hosts the brewery, a tap room and a stage since music is a big part of their story and DNA.
The Two Tribes’ five core beers are all keg. Some of the must-tries are the Power Plant Lager, the Metroland Session IPA and the Dream Factory Pale Ale. Their beers are sold all across London, Horsham and Leeds.
In addition to serving pints, they have canned beer to take away too.
Beavertown Brewery
Beavertown Brewery is the largest independent craft brewer in London.
Located in the heart of Tottenham, Beavertown was founded in 2012 in the kitchen of their BBQ restaurant in De Beauvoir Town. It’s the modern beers and quirky designs that set Beavertown apart from the rest of the breweries in London.
Stop by for a pint of their famous Neck Oil IPA or Beavo and grab one or two of their artsy beer glasses as a souvenir. Bring your mates along and enjoy your favourite pint in the beer garden or inside at the bar if you prefer.
Redemption Brewing Company
Located in Tottenham, the Redemption Brewing Company is an independent family-owned brewery that has been active in the London’s beer scene for 10 years.
Their Match Day taproom is a 5-10 min walk from Northumberland Park station, offers a family-friendly atmosphere, and has plenty of room inside and out.
At the Match Day taproom, you will find great quality beers like their Rhinelander lager and Solar session pale. While there, don’t forget to try their award-winning Hopspur on cask.
Hammerton Brewery
Looking for a proper brewery in Islington? Hammerton Brewery has everything you need for a fun day out with your mates. From food trucks, Fussball and long benches to fine crowds and an industrial atmosphere.
Founded in 2012, Hammerton Brewery is one of the first breweries in London when the London craft scene was just starting out. Guests can try their craft beer in the taproom or the pub, located within half a mile.
What sets Hammerton Brewery apart from other craft breweries in London is their award-winning innovative beer, especially their Stout. While there, give their Peanut Butter Milk Stout a try.
Portobello Brewing
Founded by beer industry veteran Rob Jenkins and head brewer Farooq Khalid in 2012, Portobelo Brewing is one of the best breweries in west London, famed for their London Pilsner.
It’s set on a perfect location (less than a 10-minute walk from Portobello Road).
Portobello Brewing beers can be found year-round in keg, cask or bottle. Though they don’t have a taproom, you can always find their beer in almost all pubs across London.
Check out the Hack & Hop and King & Co for brewery fresh Portobello beer and the latest specials and seasonals.
German Kraft
German Kraft Brewery is a micro brewery located within Mercato Mayfair, just a stone’s throw from Oxford Street and Hyde Park. You can enjoy their fresh German Kraft brews at their Kraft Bar or in the underground bar opposite their 250l brewery.
Known as the creators of modern beer gardens and community space concepts, German Kraft are tirelessly creating high-quality brews all according to the German purity law from 1516, only using water, malt, hops and yeast.
Beers not to miss are their flagship beer Heidi Helles at their Mayfair Dalston or their classic traditional Bavarian Hefeweizen.
Also Read: Best London Wine Tasting Places
Final Thoughts
London has good beer all tastefully served in cool beer gardens and cosy pubs. There are over 135 breweries in London, so imagine the number of pubs and taprooms where you can enjoy your favourite pint.
Needless to say, don’t miss out the chance to visit a London brewery and find out all about craft beers and pale ales.