It’s hard to believe that just over a decade ago, you could count London‘s breweries on your fingers. Even if you’d had a run-in with a gangster and didn’t quite have all your fingers. There are now well over a hundred – there’s been a boom. It’s partly due to the enthusiasm of the home-brew brigade: people following their passion, even if it means working in their shed. But the best breweries have one thing in common: they’re accessible. They have somewhere to sit. They play music. They serve a bite to eat. A visit is more than just a chance to drink their carefully crafted offering, it’s a day out. They have brilliant brews but also a terrific taproom or vibey al-fresco space, often both. Not only do they all have decent food, some even sell spirits, wine and cocktails too. Here’s our pick of the capital’s top names. Plus, for right now – whether they deliver (good news: they all do).
