London’s 140 breweries and flourishing beer scene are celebrated this autumn in the long-awaited third edition of my award-winning guidebook London’s Best Beer, Pubs and Bars, published by CAMRA books. The fully updated and revised essential guide to London beer launches on 18 November with a special event at the impressive new Sambrook’s taproom on the historic Ram brewery site in Wandsworth, with an exclusive collaboration brew created with London beer hero John Hatch.
Despite the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, London is once again one of the best beer cities in the world. From traditional pubs serving top quality cask ale to the latest on-trend bottle shop-bars and funky brewery taprooms in railway arches, London is now bursting with great beer and this book will direct you to the very best.
The book includes:
Profiles of all 140 London breweries including beer and taproom details
Detailed reviews of 180+ additional pubs, bars, shops, restaurants and other outlets with an outstanding beer offer
London beer style guide with recommendations and tasting notes
Background features exploring London’s rich brewing history and modern beer scene
Colour illustrations and detailed maps throughout.
Previous editions in 2011 and 2015 were hailed as “probably the best book about beer in London” by the Londonist website, praised as “meticulously researched and open-minded” by The Independent and described as “a joy to read” by veteran beer writer Roger Protz. Both editions won me the annual Best Beer and Travel Writing award from the British Guild of Beer Writers.
It’s been a particularly long process this time round, including walking the equivalent of London to Glasgow and beyond, but I’m glad to say the finished book represents an industry is such great shape given the challenges of the past 18 months, with brewery numbers doubling since the last edition. And I’m excited and proud to be launching it at Sambrook’s and working with John Hatch on a tie-in beer. The revival of commercial brewing in such grand style on arguably the most important brewery heritage site in Britain is one of the great success stories of the last few years.
Tickets for the event are free but should be booked in advance as numbers are limited. Tie-in beer London X Ale, a 5.5% ABV pale mild of the type made in the capital in the 1880s, will be available in a limited edition nine-gallon batch.
Leave a Reply