Olde Cheshire Cheese, London EC4
Pub and beer tours
Visiting London in a group, something to celebrate or just know others who will be interested? Then why not book a private tour, with your own friends at a time agreeable to you.
Top choice for a private tour are my Clerkenwell, Holborn and the City heritage walks. You’ll visit four great pubs over three hours and enjoy a half-pint in each, with beer recommendations, commentary on the surroundings and a personal tutored tasting if required. Available weekday afternoons, subject to availability.
The size of the pubs partly limits the group size, ideally to six people, though we can manage up to eight people at additional cost. We may also be able to manage larger numbers by splitting into more than one group with an additional guide: please enquire.
An excellent option for those interested in finding out in more detail about beer flavours and the brewing process is a Bermondsey Beer Mile explorer tour, visiting up to four breweries and taprooms, including a good look at a brewhouse with an explanation of the brewing process. This is suitable for groups of up to eight people on a late weekday evening or Sunday afternoon.
All the other tours listed here are also available for private groups. Or I can devise an itinerary with a location and theme to suit your requirements. I can even advise on beer and brewery tours in other UK cities.
To enquire about costings and potential dates please contact me at des@desdemoor.com.
Tutored beer tastings
Des de Moor, London, May 2015. Pic: Luke Doyle.
A tutored beer tasting in the company of an expert is a great way of enhancing your appreciation of beer, discovering more about the astonishing range of beer styles, flavours and aromas. how brewers conjure such diversity from simple ingredients and how to match beer with food. An ideal activity for pubs and bars, restaurants, beer and food festivals, clubs and societies and private and corporate events.
I can devise a themed tasting to suit your needs. I recommend focusing on no more than six beers. Some suggestions are:
- Beer and cheese. A simple and popular introduction to beer and food matching: forget cheese and wine parties, as cheese is the perfect partner to beer, and easily served.
- Belgian beer. You’ll be astonished at the dazzling variety of beers from the country that still leads the brewing world, from sour lambics and brown ales to big monastic barley wines.
- London beers. Discover some of the very best beers from the UK’s most dynamic beer scene, and learn about the capital’s illustrious brewing past as well as its present.
- Classic styles. What’s the difference between an ale and a lager? And between a porter and a stout? And why do they all taste so good? Find out in my tour of essential beer styles.
Pic: Matt Chinnery, thehalfpintgentleman.com
My services include:
- Selecting beers and food matches if applicable.
- Sourcing beer and food if required. Alternatively, you can do this yourself, or, at a bar or festival, choose from the beers already available.
- Advising on logistics and service.
- Hosting the tasting itself. For six beers, allow 90 minutes to two hours, though tastings can be adapted to suit the available time slot.
You will need to find a venue and provide assistance with beer service. I can sometimes recommend suitable venues if required.
I’ve devised and hosted tutored tastings at a wide range of events and venues including the Great British Beer Festival, the BBC Good Food Show, Bottle Shop Bermondsey, Craft Beer Rising, Taste of London, Borough Market, Ludlow Food Festival, Foodies Festival, Bierfestival Groningen and many more.
To enquire about a potential date please contact me at des@desdemoor.com.
