Beer Guide London Visits – 01/06/2024

Caps and Taps (1 / 143)

Now well settled in their Tufnell Park home this bottle shop also offers 5 beers on tap of very high quality. 5 very well stocked fridges offer an extensive range of packaged beers across all styles. An added bonus here is the offering of aged Orval, and although they have taken a bit of a hit recently they are in the process of restocking and increasing the offering. They are strong on Trappist beers and geuezes. Pizza can be ordered in.

Hudson Valley – Amulet SIPA – 7.0% (Draft) – £3.40 1/3 pint

Clapton Craft (Kentish Town) (2 / x)

The latest branch of this expanding family of bottle shops to get taps installed, making it Guide eligible. Fridges and shelves well stocked with a fantastic range of packaged beers and 4 available on tap. Limited seating available. It is possible to order pizza in.

Time & Tide – Faraway Town – 3.8% (Draft) – £3.40 1/2 pint

Southampton Arms (3 / 144)

This pub needs no introduction to London drinkers. An absolute stalwart. An equal offering of cask, keg and cider, with 8 of each available, constantly changing. All drinks are sourced from smaller independent suppliers. Known also for it’s legendary meat offerings – sausage rolls, pork pies, scotch eggs. They also have a secluded beer garden to the rear. This basic bar with it’s bare floor boards is an absolute must visit.

Duration – Big Pyramid – 3.8% (Draft) – £2.74 1/2 pint

The Stag (4 / 145)

Large imposing corner pub that is a sister to the Mall Tavern. 20 taps and 4 handpumps offer a great selection of beers. They also offer an extensive food menu. Spacious with plenty of seating and with a beer garden to the rear.

Pressure Drop – Lemon Difficult – 2.8% (Draft) – £3.25 1/2 pint

Magdala (5 / 146)

Large pub adjacent to Hampstead Heath station. In the same family of pubs as the likes of the Sussex Arms so expect to see some Big Smoke beers on the taps. Around 5 cask ales available with another dozen or so on tap. One large bar area which also houses the kitchen area plus another, quieter, side room area.

Fauna – Tree Planter – 3.4% (Cask) – £2.75 1/2 pint

Haverstock Tavern (6 / 147)

Large independent pub on the main drag between Hampstead and Camden. 16 taps plus a couple of cask ales. Unfortunately the offering is very mainstream and not a patch on what it used to be.

Leeds – Leeds Pale – 3.8% (Cask) – £2.70 1/2 pint

Camden Beer Hall (7 / 148)

Original home of Camden Town brewery underneath Kentish Town West station. They still brew smaller batches on site and will happily tell you which of the c16 beers on tap are brewed at which site. This is a well done tap in a series of arches and has the slight feel of a German beer hall. What isn’t so good is their pricing policy which punishes, heavily, those who want to drink smaller measures.

Camden – Kaleido – 5.4% (Draft) – £3.00 1/3 pint

Tapping The Admiral (8 / 149)

Just out of the main bustle of Camden is this back street locals pub that has a good range of beers. Up to 8 cask beers available, all in excellent condition. A large bar area with plenty of seating plus an additional room and a garden. This is a great place to while away some time after the madness of the market. The food menu is pub classics.

Woodforde’s – Volt – 4.5% (Cask) – £2.25 1/2 pint

Baladin Camden (9 / 150)

London offering from the Italian brewery. Up to 6 of their beers available on tap. They also have some of their limited edition bottles open and available as small measure pours, a chance to taste some truly great beers. Italian food is served in this predominantly restaurant space, but where they are happy for you to sit and enjoy the beers. The arrancini are excellent!

Baladin – L’Ippa – 5.5% (Draft) – £5.47 1/2 pint

3 Locks Brewing Co Taproom (10 / 151)

Brewery and taproom alongside the canal in Camden. Just a few minutes walk from the bustling market. A wide range of styles are brewed with 10 on tap at any given time. Flights of 6 x 1/3 are served, but all beers are available in 1/3 measures. Great location by the canal with seating on two levels inside plus more seating outside.

3 Locks – Blueberry Sour – 4.5% (Draft) – £2.75 1/3 pint
3 Locks – Schwarzbier – 5.0% (Draft) – £3.00 1/3 pint

Werewolf Tap Room (11 / 152)

Brewery and taproom under a railway arch in Camden. Cosy space alongside the brewing kit, but there is additional space outside. 8 taps serve their own beers as well as a couple of guests. 1/3 are available of their consistently good beers.

Werewolf – Moonstomp – 4.5% (Draft) – £2.86 1/3 pint
Phantom – Ocean Avenue – 4.5% (Draft) – £3.66 1/3 pint

The Black Heart (12 / 153)

Bar in central Camden that is part of the Graceland family. As a consequence the beer list features a number of Saint Monday beers alongside other great guest beers. Always a favourite bar to visit, and if you like your background music heavy then you too will love it!

Great Beyond – Cherise – 7.0% (Draft) – £4.60 1/2 pint