We’re not short of breweries here in London. In fact, as of January of 2022, there were over 135 breweries operating with more opening all the time. From vast industrial warehouses and independent breweries to pop-up events and local taprooms, there are plenty of places to get your beer fix in our beloved capital. So, without further ado, here’s our rundown of 15 of the best London breweries you can enjoy:
1. Dog’s Grandad Brewery, Brixton
Since swinging open its doors in March 2021, this Brixton microbrewery has already made plenty of waves due to its tasty beer and friendly staff. Tucked down a side street close to Pop Brixton – just a five-minute walk from Brixton tube – the beer brewed at Dog’s Grandad Brewery is all vegan-friendly and is brewed using completely natural ingredients.
They’ve got a taproom which is currently open from Wednesdays through to Sundays, and hop-forward draughts on tap include a pale ale, an IPA, a lager, a black IPA and an Extra Pale Ale. You can also visit their store online if you’d prefer to get the beers in at home.
📍 You’ll find Dog’s Grandad at Arch 550 Brixton Station Road, London, SW9 8PF.
🚇 Nearest station is Brixton.
2. Villages, Deptford
Another South London brewery, Villages was the brainchild of brothers Archie and Louis Village, who opened back in 2016. Now a craft beer fixture in the Deptford area – and a favourite spot of this Deptford-based writer – they now serve ten different draught beers on tap.
Favourites include the ‘Rodeo’ pale ale, the ‘Topaz’ dry-hopped lager and the ‘Collision’ IPA – and there’s also a whole host of canned dark beers, wines and ciders on offer by the ever-popular bottle shop Hop Burns & Black. The taproom is always lively and is open during the weekends – with delicious Jamaican food provided by neighbours Buster Mantis – and there are also regular events on offer, including a bi-monthly quiz.
📍 You’ll find Villages at 21-22 Resolution Way, London, SE8 4NT.
🚇 Nearest station is Deptford.
3. Meantime Brewing Company, Greenwich
Chances are if you haven’t heard of the Meantime Brewing Company, you may well have been living under a rock. Seriously. This award-winning, state-of-the-art craft brewery was established way back in 1999 in Greenwich, and they’ve just gone from strength to strength ever since.
Sure, it’s now owned by behemoths of the beer industry Asahi – which may be sacrilege for those who only like their breweries to be independent – but where this one really earns its points is in its fantastic brewery tours.
Over the course of 90 minutes, you’ll get the chance to see exactly how the brewers work their magic to make the beer we all know and love, before you get a taste test of four different varieties. Now if that’s not worth the price of admission, we don’t know what is.
📍 You’ll find the Meantime Brewing Company at the Lawrence Trading Estate, Blackwall Lane, London, SE10 0AR.
🚇 Nearest stations are North Greenwich and Maze Hill.
4. Brockley Brewery, Brockley
A worthy addition to this list of the best London breweries, Brockley Brewery has become something of a legendary South East London spot since it first opened in 2013. The collaboration of seven independent owners, they’re a community-focussed business who operate as both a taproom and as a takeaway service.
The friendly team here brew an eclectic and well-balanced mix of keg, cask and bottled beers, with their lager, session IPA and chocolate porter all standing out. Perhaps what makes the brewery most unique is in its production of seasonal specials – the Spring ale, the Summer XPA, the Autumn amber and the Winter gold.
They’ve also got a sister taproom in nearby Hither Green, and offer yoga and beer nights along with excellent pizza too.
📍 You’ll find Brockley Brewery at 31 Harcourt Road, London, SE4 2AJ.
🚇 Nearest station is Brockley.
5. The Five Points Brewing Co., Hackney Central
Also founded in 2013, this hip and award-winning Hackney spot specialises in ‘modern and vibrant beer, brewed with passion and integrity’. Another independent spot, these guys were both inspired by the British real ale tradition and the international craft beer movement – the result is a delicious melting pot of unique flavours.
Along with their regular favourites – which include their Pilsner-style lager and juicy pale ale – they also do seasonal varieties. Recent examples include the ‘Pining for Mangoes’ – a mango pale ale brewed in collaboration with Sweden’s Dugges Bryggeri – and the ‘South Pacific Bitter’, the first of its kind.
The Five Points Brewing Co. also recently opened a taproom on Mare Street in Hackney, and provides beer to the much-loved Hackney pub the Pembury Tavern. A strong reason for adding it to this list of the best London breweries we say.
📍 You’ll find The Five Points Brewing Co. at 61 Mare St, London E8 4RG.
🚇 Nearest station is Hackney Central.
6. Orbit Beers Brewery and Taproom, Walworth
These guys have been brewing out of their railway arch in Walworth since 2014, and they’ve got their brewing techniques down to a tee if we say so ourselves. The beers brewed at Orbit Beers are deeply rooted in European tradition, with classic flavours from Germany and Belgium being a source of inspiration for their core Nico lager and Peel Belgium pale varieties.
Situated just off Walworth Road in between Camberwell and Elephant and Castle, these guys also have a taproom and a 50-seater beer garden which overlooks the leafy Pelier Park. They also run a pub quiz and roasts on Sundays, and have regular events throughout the year.
📍 You’ll find Orbit Beers Brewery and Taproom at 225 & 228 Fielding Street, London, SE17 3HD.
🚇 Nearest station is Elephant and Castle.
7. Brick Brewery, Peckham Rye
A firm favourite for South Londoners and another worthy addition to this roundup of the best London breweries, Brick Brewery was born out of owner Ian’s shed – no, seriously – back in 2013. It’s now become a Peckham staple and is situated in a railway arch just behind Peckham Rye station.
They produce a whole host of delicious beers – including the gluten-free Helles lager – and have a great taproom which is the perfect spot for a few post-work beers with mates. Food-wise, they’ve currently got the excellent Mikos Gyros on site, who whip up some of the tastiest gyros this side of the river. Halloumi gyros in a fluffy pitta with chips, red onions and a pint of Brick’s finest? Yes please.
📍 You’ll find Brick Brewery at 209 Blenheim Grove, London, SE15 4QL.
🚇 Nearest station is Peckham Rye.
8. Boxcar Brewery and Taproom, Bethnal Green (taproom suddenly closed for the time being)
Slightly more experimental than some of the other breweries on this list, the Boxcar Brewery and Taproom is – in their own words – all about ‘ever-changing flavours and experiences, constantly-evolving ideas and colourful palettes for receptive palettes’.
The proof is in the pudding as they say, and example flavours include the ‘Strobe Sequence’ – a soft IPA pulsing with Vic Secret, Loral and Ekuanot – and ‘Mosaic Mediations’ made with hazy wheat and creamy oats. They’ve also got a taproom to boot which is open Wednesdays through to Sundays.
A recent issue with their taproom landlord has seen the brewery suddenly have to leave their Bethnal Green location. They hope to be back on their feet soon. Stay up to date with what’s next for them at their Instagram.
9. Exale Brewing and Taproom, Blackhorse Lane
Another one for the beerhounds here, Walthamstow’s Exale Brewing and Taproom is a great spot to head if you’re ever in E17 and are looking to guzzle down some pints.
Converted from an old furniture factory, their taproom is certainly roomy and has ten different pumps of draught beer, various food vendors outside and special beer launches and tasting events throughout the year.
DJs regularly spin their decks until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays, and they’re also not just about the beer – cocktails, natural wines and gluten free options are also all on the menu. Happy hour wise, Exale offer *ahem* ‘Kill The Keg’ where you get four quid beers on Thursdays, as well as six quid cocktails on Fridays until midnight. Sounds good to us.
📍 You’ll find Exale Brewing and Taproom at Unit 2C Uplands Business Park, London, E17 5QJ.
🚇 Nearest station is Blackhorse Road.
10. Signature Brew, Blackhorse Lane
Just down the road from Exale lies Signature Brew – the world’s number one brewery for band-collaboration beers. Founded back in 2011 by Tom Bott and Sam McGregor, the ethos behind the brewery was to ‘revolutionise the quality of beer at live music events by bringing their music-inspired craft beers to the best bars, venues and festivals’.
So far they’ve collaborated with bands including Idles, alt-J, Sports Team, Frank Turner and Slaves, and they’ve got many more exciting projects in the pipeline. The music-loving team here really know their beer – they also run a whole host of music-inspired events and sell ‘Pub in a Box’ home deliveries too. Signature are also a part of the new Blackhorse Beer Mile.
📍 You’ll find Signature Brew at Unit 15, Uplands Business Park, Unit 15 Blackhorse Lane, London, E17 5QJ and at 340 Acton Mews, London, E8 4EA.
🚇 Nearest stations are Blackhorse Road and Haggerston.
11. The Kernel Brewery, Bermondsey
The first brewery to open up on the famous Bermondsey Beer Mile way back in 2009, The Kernel Brewery is certainly a must-visit spot for anyone that loves their beer. One of the city’s first craft breweries, they’ve got their brewing process well and truly down, and brew a wide range of beers – from American-inspired pale ales and IPAs to traditional London porters and stouts.
One of this Bermondsey spot’s most popular varieties is the ‘Table Beer’ – a light beer with just a 3% abv that was first brewed back in 2012. There’s an accompanying taproom which currently has 17 different draughts on tap, and it’s open Thursdays through to Sundays.
📍 You’ll find The Kernel Brewery at Arch 11, Dockley Road Industrial Estate, Dockley Road, London, SE16 3SF.
🚇 Nearest station is Bermondsey.
12. Redemption Brewing Co., Tottenham Hale
If you’ve ever found yourself near White Hart Lane for a Spurs match, chances are you may well have seen Redemption Brewing Co. Pulling pints on match days, this award-winning urban craft brewery was one of the pioneering founders of London’s craft beer scene.
100% independently-owned, they were Tottenham’s first brewery in almost a century, and they brew beers brimming with both flavour and complexity. Even if the taproom is shut up shop, you can still collect your box of beer orders from here. Just make sure you order 24 hours in advance.
📍 You’ll find Redemption Brewing Co. at Unit 16, Compass West Industrial Estate, West Road, London, N17 0XL.
🚇 Nearest stations are Meridian Water and Northumberland Park.
13. Fourpure Brewing Co., South Bermondsey
Another Bermondsey entry here. This time we’re talking about the Fourpure Brewing Co., a great spot right in the heart of SE16 that has been perfecting the art of beer-making since 2013. Another stop on the famous Bermondsey Beer Mile, Fourpure is all about ‘easy-drinking, delicious beers‘ that are full of flavour and refreshingly simple. As well as a great taproom (um, hello see above), they also have a gift shop where you can score yourself all of their takeaway cans.
As well as great beer it also has tasty food with weekly rotating vendors rustling up some pretty great grub – from homemade pizza to bangin’ burgers and loaded fries. What more could you want to line your stomach!
📍 You’ll find Fourpure Brewing Co. at 25 Rotherhithe New Road, London, SE16 3LL.
🚇 Nearest station is South Bermondsey.
14. Two Tribes, Kings Cross St Pancras
The penultimate entry on this list of the best London breweries is another one that really loves the music. Two Tribes is tucked away in an industrial estate in Kings Cross, but once you’ve made the effort to find it, your endeavours will really pay off.
DJs from local record labels regularly spin their decks as you sip away on pints, and they’ve even got their own radio station which always has the tunes going. Now to the beer itself – expect a changing selection pouring across something like 15 taps, as well as a whole host of jazzy cans stocked away in fridges.
Last year they also opened the ‘Campfire’ – a bar centred around a fire pit where live-fire chefs whip up food to a soundtrack of DJs and live musicians. What better place to get the beers in?
📍 You’ll find Two Tribes at Tileyard studios, Tileyard Road, London, N7 9AH.
🚇 Nearest station is Kings Cross St Pancras.
15. CRATE, Hackney Wick
Rounding off this list of the best London breweries is one that needs no introduction. Located in the effortlessly-edgy Queen’s Yard just a short three-minute walk from Hackney Wick Station and the Lord Napier and Star, CRATE was the first brewery to pop up in the area, and it has been attracting punters in their droves ever since.
The entire venue has a delightfully shabby-chic feel to it, with recycled railway sleepers and ladders making up the bar and rusty bed springs transformed into the light fixtures. Their beer ain’t bad either – they serve up a mean lager, session IPA, stout and pale ale – and their pizzas are some of the best you’ll find in East London.
📍 You’ll find CRATE at 7 Queen’s Yard, London, E9 5EN.
🚇 Nearest station is Hackney Wick.
So there you have it – a roundup of 15 of the best London breweries. So when you’re next looking for a pint or two, then you’ll know where you need to head!