Beer Guide London Visits – 04/05/2024
Craft Beer Co (Limehouse) (1 / 90)
Situated under Limehouse station this is the most easterly of the Craft Beer Co bars, and the one with the most character. Small, cosy and popular with the locals it can get busy in the evenings. Beer wise it follows the same format as the others with a quality range spread across 20 taps and 6 handpumps. They have recently resumed serving food.
Yonder – Cinnamon Bun – 6.0% (Draft)
Angel Of Bow (2 / 91)
Large locals pub in a residential area of East London. There are 10 taps of interesting beers and 6 handpumps. There is also a fridge of Belgian classics. It is worth a visit to look at the artwork on the bar alone! There is a secluded garden to the rear and food is available. More areas should have a local like this.
Six Hills – Slingshot To Mars – 3.8% (Draft) – £3.50 1/2 pint
Lockdown Bar (3 / x)
Impressive bar located on a peninsula in the River Lea close to Canning Town station. They have 11 beers on tap including some from in house Hopewell Brewery whose kit is located on a mezzanine overlooking the bar. There is also a fridge of packaged beers showcasing local breweries. Plenty of varied seating inside with an additional large seating area in the square outside.
Hopewell – Juice Of Life – 4.7% (Draft)
Husk Brewing Tap Room (4 / 92)
New light and airy taproom space for Husk, but unfortunately the brewery move to a new site still hasn’t been completed. In the meantime they have a dozen taps showcasing beers from London breweries. Only a couple of minutes walk from Canning Town station, but note that as of May 2024 extensive roadworks outside have made the walk longer and trickier – but they ARE OPEN!
Mammoth – Hex – 4.5% (Draft) – £3.30 1/2 pint
River Ale House (5 / 93)
Micropub in a former shop unit. Up to 7 cask beers available served on gravity from the cold room, plus some packaged beers and a large cider selection. Emphasis here is on conversation with a request that mobile phones be put on silent. Popular with both locals and those from further afield drawn by its reputation. Expect to find Kent breweries well represented, and for the beer to be in excellent condition. Pizza can be ordered in from a couple of doors down the road.
Tonbridge – Te Tau Ihu – 4.5% (Cask) – £2.40 1/2 pint
Green Goddess (6 / 94)
Once a bank, now an excellent pub. 20 taps serve both quality beers and ciders from around the country. They also have a fridge packed full of packaged beers and ciders. The plans for an on-site brewery are still progressing which will just provide another reason to visit this excellent venue. Popular with locals it can get busy but in a good way.
Simple Things Fermentations – Belgian Singel – Big Ideas Series 34 – 5.0% (Draft) – £2.17 1/3 pint
Zerodegrees (7 / 95)
Brewpub on the edge of Blackheath. There are 4 UK branches and they all brew with beers swapped between locations, and to their credit they will always tell you which beers are brewed where. In the case of Blackheath they brew their 3 core beers on site and get the specials from elsewhere. Extensive food menu available and plenty of both indoor and outdoor seating.
Zerodegrees (Blackheath) – Our Mango Beer – 4.0% (Draft) – £3.75 1/2 pint
Fox & Firkin (8 / x)
A large pub just outside Lewisham town centre that is also home to the Firkin Brewery. A dozen taps includes 4 of their own beers. A real community feel to this old boozer and on my visit a band was setting up for a gig later on.
Firkin – Ladywell Pale – 4.2% (Draft) – £3.20 1/2 pint
Shirker’s Rest (9 / 96)
Fantastic micropub in an old shop. Has rapidly built up an excellent reputation. 7 draft beers, 4 cask ales plus ciders and packaged beers. Regular events and tap takeovers and live music in the upstairs room. This place is highly recommended and a welcome addition to this part of London.
Elusive – Sawbuck – 5.4% (Cask) – £2.70 1/2 pint
Elusive – Living – 5.6% (Cask) – £2.90 1/2 pint
