Beer Guide London Visits – 29/03/2024

Star Tavern (1 / 22)

This is a classic London mews pub tucked away in a quiet residential street surrounded by Embassies. This Fuller’s pub doesn’t have the greatest range, but what it does serve is in fantastic condition. Sometimes less is more. This is a great place to just sit, soak in the history and enjoy some perfectly served cask ales.

Fuller’s – London Pride – 4.1% (Cask) – £2.90 1/2 pint

Cask Pub & Kitchen (2 / 23)

One of the first dedicated ‘craft’ beer bars in London, if not the country. Always has a great range of interesting beers but they have now taken their game to another level with the launching of their Vintage Beer Cellar. A 200 page catalogue of aged bottles that is probably the best in the UK, and possibly one of the best in Europe. Clearly a labour of love with some real gems available.

De La Senne – Super Crisse – 7.5% (Draft) – £5.95 1/3 pint

Mother Kelly’s SE1 (3 / 24)

Southern most branch of this excellent family of bars. This one is sited in a railway arch underneath Vauxhall station with the exposed brickwork providing an impressive ceiling. Unlike the other branches this one has stopped offering packaged beers, but given the impressive line up of taps that is no great hardship.

Crossover Blendery – Morillon (2023) – 6.0% (Draft) – £5.20 1/3 pint

Battersea Brewery (4 / 25)

Brewery and spacious tap room in the rejuvenated Battersea Power Station complex. Good selection of their own beers on tap plus a few guests. Plenty of seating inside plus a lot more outside. They have now taken on a second brewing site, the old Spartan Brewery in Bermondsey, as they have reached capacity here.

Battersea – Make Arrakis Great Again – 5.8% (Draft) – £3.70 1/2 pint

Mason’s Arms SW8 (5 / 26)

Cracking local pub adjacent to Battersea Park station. Owned by Fuller’s, but one of the new generation that has a much expanded guest range. And what a range! 20 on tap plus 3 handpumps with a mix of Fuller’s, London breweries and beyond. Deceptively spacious and well used by the local community. Definitely one that is worth a visit.

Brouwerij Haacht Brasserie – SUPER 8 Flandrien – 6.4% (Draft) – £2.75 1/3 pint

Priory Arms (6 / 27)

Another of the hidden gem backstreet community pubs that we try to find for you. A great beer range on tap, and a look at the pump clips adorning the walls attest to the fact that they have been serving great beer for a long time. Doesn’t open until later during the week but well worth the effort to visit.

Bullhouse Brew Co – Rolling Papers – 5.2% (Draft) – £3.25 1/2 pint

Mondo Tap House (7 / 28)

Housed in an attractive old industrial unit this is a cosy tap room sited alongside the brewing kit with additional seating available outside. A wall of 15 taps serve a good range of their own beers together with occasional guests. Korean style food was available on this visit but I’m not sure if this is permanent or rotating.

Mondo – Machina – 4.1% (Draft) – £3.00 1/2 pint

Distortion Brewery Taproom (8 / 29)

Another smart brewery and tap room in a railway arch. 6 draft beers are available served straight from the shiny tanks behind the bar. The brewing kit is located beyond these. Beers are all named with a space theme and are good examples of respective styles.

Distortion – Phaser – 4.2% (Draft) – £3.20 1/2 pint