Category: Things We Like

London Brewers’ Market Event Round-Up: August 2016

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On the London Brewers’ Market blog, we are featuring a monthly round-up of upcoming and unmissable events for London’s beer drinkers introduced by Rebecca Pate of Brewing East. Here are her picks, and stay tuned for a later post focusing exclusively on all the London brewers’ events at London Beer City.

With August comes London Beer City, ten days replete with beer festivals, tap takeovers and meet the brewer events starting this Friday, the 5th, and running until Sunday, the 14th. Beer aficionados will have already trawled through the immense itinerary, but we can’t let this eclipse other exciting happenings across the capital throughout the month.

We’ve compiled a list of events unaffiliated with London Beer City to further enhance your August. Whether it’s to help you ease into the month, keep you energised during LBC 2016 or to temper the harshness of LBC 2016 withdrawal, here’s more to pencil into your diary:

RICHMOND BREWERS’ FAIR: Saturday August 6, 12:00-19:30. Although it’s based in Surrey, some London breweries are featured as part of this CAMRA real ales event, including Kew Brewery and Long Arm Brewing Company. It follows the success of the inaugural Brewers’ Fair held in February and promises beer, live music and food stalls.
Richmond Adult Community College Theatre, Parkshot Richmond, London TW9 2RE. Tickets are £4 for CAMRA members and £5 for non-members and can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/richmond-brewers-fair-tickets-26222681747

GREAT BRITISH BEER FESTIVAL: Tuesday, 9 August- Saturday, 13 August. Various times. This CAMRA-run festival will showcase over 900 real ales alongside ciders, perries and international beers. Come celebrate some great local examples and raise a glass to cask. In between libation, live music, food stalls and even traditional pub games will be on offer, all under a single roof with 55,000 other thirsty patrons at Olympia London. Who will be crowned 2016’s the Champion Beer of Britain? We’re on tenterhooks.
Olympia London, Hammersmith Road, Kensington, London W14 8UX. Tickets are £9 for CAMRA members or £11 for non-members and are available here: http://gbbf.org.uk/tickets

THE RAKE’S 10TH ANNIVERSARY: Wednesday, 10 August. Two sessions: 12:00-17:00 & 17:30- 22:00. The Rake in Borough Market- London’s coveted specialist beer outlet- is celebrating ten successful years in business with an evening hosted by Melissa Cole, esteemed and award-winning beer and food writer. Cole will be curating an odyssey across a landscape of tremendous beers- and, unbelievably, it’s all free. Act fast as places are limited. The Rake, 14 Winchester Walk, Borough Market SE1 9AG. Free, but wristbands are required and must be collected in advance. For more information, e-mail birthdayparty@utobeer.co.uk.

COLLABORATION RANGE / HOME BREW DEPOT LA LAUNCH PARTY: Thursday, 11 August, 19:00-01:00 (12 August). Home Brew Depot is hoping to crack the American market and to celebrate, they’re releasing two collaboration recipes with One Mile End and Hackney Brewery. The former is the home brewer’s version of Snakes Alive DIPA and the latter is a summery saison. Both head brewers will be live brewing on the night, there will be beers available from the breweries and live music to boot.
Brew Club, 38-40 Upper Clapton Road #9, London E5 8BQ. Tickets are free, include two ½ pints and are available here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/hackney-brewery-saison-one-mile-end-snakes-alive-dipa-launch-mtb-tickets-26720865829

ONE KEG WONDER SERIES – BREW BY NUMBERS: Thursday, 11 August, 19:00. This is the launch of Simon the Tanner’s One Keg Wonder series and they have something very special lined up for the night: a maple pecan brown ale from Brew By Numbers that’s never seen light within the M25. One keg only means just that: once it’s gone, it’s gone. Three other beers from Brew By Numbers will also be available on the night.
Simon the Tanner, 231 Long Lane, London SE1 4PR. Free.

CRATE BEER & LA FROMAGERIE CHEESE TASTING: Thursday, 11 August, 18:00 & 20:00. Nothing marries quite like beer and cheese. Hackney Wick’s canalside hotspot, Crate Brewery, will be pairing four of their beers, including some examples of their limited Brewers Tap range, with cheese from La Fromagerie. Guided by beer sommelier & maître fromager Tom Williams, this will brie a gouda time.
The Larder, 8 Pearson Square, London W1W 7EY. Tickets are £22 for one session and can be purchased here: https://www.designmynight.com/london/whats-on/food-drink/crate-beer-la-fromagerie-cheese-tasting?t=tickets

PAINTING PARTY WITH FIVE POINTS: Wednesday, 17 August, from 18:00. This is your chance to see if beer really does fuel creativity. Look Mum No Hands! on the Southbank is hosting an evening of artistic pursuits in conjunction with The Five Points Brewing Company where art materials are supplied with the purchase of a pint. A range of Five Points will be available, so channel your inner Picasso over a solid beer.
Look Mum No Hands! Queen’s Walk under Hungerford Bridge, Southbank Centre, London SE1 8XX. Free. http://www.lookmumnohands.com/events/painting-party-with-five-points

ORBIT BEERS TAP TAKEOVER: Wednesday, 17 August, from 17:00. Those music buff brewers at Orbit Beers descend upon The Rake in Borough Market to bring a little hi-fidelity to your pint glass. Their range will be proffered and the brewers will be on hand to answer your burning questions, like just how do you flavour a Köln style lager with the Velvet Underground?
The Rake, 14 Winchester Walk, Borough Market, London SE1 9AG. Free: https://allevents.in/london/orbit-beers-tap-take-over-at-the-rake/1726598650913167

SAMBROOK’S BREW SCHOOL: Saturday, 20 August, 12:00-17:00. Sambrook’s Brewery welcomes brewmasters and novices alike to create a perfect iteration of a craft beer with the Grainfather, an all-in-one homebrew system. A hands-on brewing experience, a brewery tour and the opportunity to quiz Sambrook’s head brewer, Sean Knight, are included. Samples of the Sambrook’s range will also be flowing. Following the session, attendees will be given bottles of their own brew, so better start thinking of a punny beer name now.
Sambrook’s Brewery, Yelverton Road #Unit 1 & 2, Battersea SW11 3QG. Tickets are £49 and can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sambrooks-brew-school-brewing-with-the-grainfather-tickets-26280255953

GIPSY HILL YARD PARTY: Saturday, 20 August, 13:00-20:00. Gipsy Hill Brewing Company are celebrating ‘Local producers, live music & great beer!’ Join them at their party showcasing some of the other local makers and doers, including picture framers, charcuterie makers, and fellow brewers and neighbours The London Beer Factory. The party will launch a beer brewed with Certitude, who work to break down the social exclusion of people with disabilities.
Gipsy Hill Brewing Company, Unit 11 – Hamilton Road Industrial Estate, 160 Hamilton Road, London SE27 9SF. Free: https://www.facebook.com/events/981204081999247/

MEET THE BREWER- HIVER: Wednesday, 24 August, 18:30-20:30. Hiver Beers have been causing a buzz with their range of beer fermented with raw honeys. Using British ingredients and suppliers, Hiver has salvaged the reputation of honey beer from other artificial, cloying interpretations on the market. Have a chat with the team and pollinate your palate with samples of the beer. Oh, and brush up on your entomology- there’s prizes at stake on the night.
Smiths of Smithfield, 67-77A Charterhouse Street, London EC1M 6HJ. Free, but tickets should be reserved in advance here: https://www.designmynight.com/london/bars/farringdon/smiths-of-smithfield/meet-the-brewer-hiver

MEET THE BREWER- ONE MILE END: Wednesday, 31 August, 19:00-20:00. Another beer event hosted at Look Mum No Hands! on the Southbank and chance to speak to Simon McCabe, head brewer at One Mile End. Expect a tap takeover with a range of One Mile End beers in addition to some surprises- a special beer for the event is rumoured to be in the works.
Look Mum No Hands! Queen’s Walk under Hungerford Bridge, Southbank Centre, London SE1 8XX. Free. http://www.lookmumnohands.com/events/one-mile-end-brewery-tap-takeover

Have we missed something? We’re not perfect, so feel free to post any upcoming events featuring London breweries in London in the comments below.

London Brewers’ Market Beer Event Round-Up

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On the London Brewers’ Market blog, we’re launching a monthly round-up of upcoming and unmissable events for London’s beer drinkers introduced by Rebecca Pate of Brewing East. Given the sheer abundance of tap takeovers, talks and festivals that are announced each week, we’re considering making this a fortnightly feature. Watch this space.

Let’s get straight to the good stuff promised for July 2016:

7th CHURCH OF THE APOCALYPTIC LAWNMOWER: WEIRD BEARD + ANSPACH & HOBDAY COLLAB LAUNCH: Friday, 1 July, 17:00-21:30. The creative minds behind Weird Beard Brew Co. and Anspach & Hobday are launching their collaborative dark cream ale, 7th Church of the Apocalyptic Lawnmower, this Friday evening at Anspach & Hobday’s brewery arch. The new brew will be alongside a selection of beers from Weird Beard as well as Anspach & Hobday, and the lovely folks behind both breweries will be on hand to answer questions about the new beer. Anspach & Hobday, 118 Druid St, London SE1 2HH. Free. https://www.facebook.com/events/140015166404917/

CRAFT BEER & CO. SOUR BEER FESTIVAL: Saturday, 2 July, 12:00-23:00. The Craft Beer Co. are throwing a party to celebrate the fifth birthday of their Clerkenwell site. If you’re a fan of the lip-puckering style, they have 20 iterations from breweries across the globe on offer on keg, cask and bottle. The line-up looks pretty solid, including The Kernel Brewery and Partizan Brewing. The Craft Beer Co. Clerkenwell, 82 Leather Lane, EC1N 7TR London. Free. https://www.facebook.com/events/1740506372885465/

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FIVE POINTS YARD PARTY: Saturday, 2 July, 13:00-20:00. The Five Points Brewing Company welcome you to join them for their third yard party at their new warehouse site. Their core range will be pouring alongside some specials and hungry patrons will be catered for by Italian-American purveyors Capish! There will be DJs and gelato also available-one flavour even boasting the brewery’s Railway Porter as an ingredient. Come along for good vibes and crowds. The Five Points Brewing Company Warehouse, 61 Mare Street London E8 4RG. Free. https://www.facebook.com/events/140015166404917/

BEER MEANS BUSINESS BOOK LAUNCH: Wednesday, 6 July, 19:00-21:00. Csaba Baba has penned a book, Beer Means Business, and invites you to join him at the White Hart brew pub in Whitechapel for its launch. Representatives from Redchurch Brewery and The Five Points Brewing Company will also be in attendance to discuss the topic and the beer industry in general. One Mile End Brewery‘s head brewer, Simon McCabe, will be tempting attendees with their new Kumquat Session IPA to keep the discussion flowing. The White Hart Brew Pub, 1 Mile End Road, London E1 4TP. Free, but reservation necessary. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/beer-means-business-book-launch-tickets-26115510194?ref=estw

PRESSURE DROP TAP TAKEOVER & MEET THE BREWER: Thursday, 7 July from 18:00. Pressure Drop has allied with BrewDog Shoreditch as part of their Meet the Brewer season. Details are scarce, but previous events have entailed a showcase of the featured brewery’s range on tap and the chance to pick the brains of the brewers behind the beer. With Pressure Drop involved, you won’t need more reason than that to go. There will be a selection of handmade- non-alcoholic, but delicious nonetheless- sodas from Hackney’s Square Root Soda, too. BrewDog Shoreditch, 51-55 Bethnal Green Rd, London E1 6LA. Free. https://www.facebook.com/events/1145813045463351/

ORBIT SUMMER PARTY: Saturday, 9 July, 12:00-22:00. Orbit Beers are hosting a summer party underneath the brewery’s arches in Walworth. Good beer and food will be offered against the background of some serious tunes. They’ll be spinning vinyl throughout the day–revellers are encouraged to bring their own– and pouring beer from their custom-made wooden cask. A brand new special beer from their White Label series will also be on tap: an apricot saison. Orbit Beers, 225 & 228 Fielding St, London SE17 3HD. Free. https://www.facebook.com/events/153581428392357/

REDEMPTION BREWING FREE TASTING: Saturday, 9 July, 13:00-17:00. Crouch End has something to crow about with a free tasting of Redemption Brewing Company‘s range at The Bottle Apostle. Redemption recently made the move to a brand new 30 bbl capacity brewery, so this is a good opportunity to familiarise yourself with their beer- you’ll be seeing it everywhere soon enough. Bottle Apostle Crouch End, 49 Park Road, Crouch End, LondonN8 8SY. Free. http://www.bottleapostle.com/event/redemption-brewing

Hackney Summer Fete 2016

LONDON BREWERS’ MARKET AT THE HACKNEY SUMMER FETE: Saturday, 9 July from 12:00 to 19:00. If you can’t wait until the 23 July for the next instalment of the London Brewers’ Market, a smaller selection of independent London breweries will be represented at Hackney Summer Fete. It’s a good warm up for the large scale event only two weeks later. Hackney Summer Fete: St John at Hackney Church, Lower Clapton Rd, London E5 0PD. Free. https://www.facebook.com/events/1558405741132184/

HAMMERTON TAP TAKEOVER & ‘50s NIGHT: Thursday, 14 July from 18:00. Islington scions Hammerton Brewery are hosting a tap takeover and 1950s night at BrewDog Shoreditch. Meet the folks behind the reborn Hammerton Brewery, learn about their fascinating history, and try some of their award-winning beer. BrewDog Shoreditch, 51-55 Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6LA. Free. https://www.facebook.com/events/238593559842981/

Partizan bottles LBM Easter 2016

LONDON BREWERS’ MARKET: Saturday, 23 July, 11:00-18:30. Don’t forget the next London Brewers’ Market at Old Spitalfields Market on the 23 July. Sample some beers from 26 of London’s finest breweries including The Five Points, Fourpure, The London Beer Factory, Partizan Brewing, and Anspach & Hobday, all while enjoying the soundtrack provided by the Independent Record Label Market. Old Spitalfields Market, Horner Square, Spitalfields, London E1 6EW. Free. https://www.facebook.com/events/301735496833877/ 

FOURPURE GARDEN PARTY: Saturday, 30 July, 14:00-21:00. The excellent Fourpure Brewing Co. are throwing a garden party with the help of We Brought Beer in Battersea, taking over their garden and taps to bring a range of their core, seasonal and rare beers to guests. Street food will be available from Oh My Dog! and the Fourpure team will be milling about to discuss their beer and ethos. This is the ideal way to familiarise yourself with one of London’s most revered breweries. 78 St. Johns Hill, Battersea SW11 1SP. Free. https://www.webroughtbeer.co.uk/event/fourpure-garden-party/

FOODSTOCK 2016: Saturday & Sunday, 30-31 July from 12:00-20:00 (Saturday) and 12:00-19:00 (Sunday). This brand new event aimed at foodies kicks off in Battersea Park, focusing on local produce, live folk music and including some great beer from Sambrook’s Brewery, who will be serving over 20 craft ales at the bar. Battersea Park, London SW11 4NJ. An adult ticket is £2 in advance and can be purchased online. http://enablelc.org/foodstock

Have we missed something? We’re not perfect, so feel free to post any upcoming events featuring London breweries in London in the comments below.

Tryanuary Round-up of London Brews #3

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We’ve been asking some of our favourite folks around town for their Tryanuary picks from London breweries. Here’s the final instalment of a selection of London beers they think you should try this month.

Alix Shaw, Beer Fairy of London

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A self-described “beer fairy of London,” Alix Shaw works with The Bottle Shop in Bermondsey in assisting with their website, social media and helping out at the bar on Saturdays. She also works with The Five Points Brewing Company by helping with events and playing with labelling machines in the brewery. Alix is the co-founder of Crafty Beer Girls, which started off as a small group of ladies that were happy to have found other females working in a beard-dominated industry but has started to become a little community of beer lovers. Her favourite things are baking, beer (often combined!) and Star Wars. Follow Crafty Beer Girls on Twitter at @craftybeergirls.

Smoked Cranberry Porter from Anspach & Hobday
For the most part of 2015, I was slurping on sours and saisons. It wasn’t until I came into contact with this awesome tipple from A&H, that I realised how much I loved stouts and porters! It’s the perfect balance of smoke (kind of like standing near a bonfire that you just get a whiff), and the zingy dryness of the cranberry. It’s a one time brew, however, so you need to try this while you still can!

Hook Island Red from The Five Points Brewing Company
One of the original rye based beers in London. Super fresh and deliciously bitter, there’s nothing better than finishing a day’s work with Five Points only to finish with a bottle of this. I first discovered this 2 years ago when I first stepped into the London beer scene, and I still love it as much as I did the first time I tried it.

08|03 Chocolate and Orange Stout from Brew By Numbers
When BBNo. announced they were launching this stout, I was excited from the get go. Silky smooth, undeniably chocolatey and just a sprinkle of orange, this had everything I expected and a little more.

Martyn Sharman, Sales Representative at Howling Hops

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Martyn Sharman works as a sales representative at Howling Hops. Up until recently he ran The Cock Tavern in Hackney Central. Martyn loves his beer and cider, starting out in his career in beer by selecting ale for a Kilburn pub. He quickly realised that his favourite beers were coming from the east of the city and moved there as quickly as he could with his fiancé, Hannah, and their rescue cat, Stanley.

No More Bright Ideas from Weird Beard Brew Co.
This was my favourite beer from 2015, just a stunning dark beer that was big, bitter and beautiful. With an ABV of 7.3%, Weird Beard have managed to balance the alcohol and flavour perfectly, with an amazing bitter finish that made me come back for a third, forth and fifth pint, before admitting defeat at the sixth and staggering home happily!

Blonde Pale from Maregade
On both cask and keg this beer is fantastic! The new brewer in The Cock Tavern basement has made a pint that hits all the right notes. It’s juicy, fragrant, easy drinking and murky as hell. I’m excited as to where Maregade will be this time next year, but for now, I’ll have another pint of blonde pale!

IPA No. 2 from Howling Hops
This beer from Howling Hops is exactly what I want from an IPA, it’s full to the brim with flavour and is a great example of London beer in all its glory. An updated recipe has given this IPA a nose that’s popping with fruit, and an easy finish. Coming in at just under 7% it’s not too boozy either, a great excuse to grab another one!

Kevin Karaca, Independent Film Maker & Producer/Director of Original Gravity – The Film

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Kevin Karaca is the producer of the all-new Original Gravity short documentary, a 30-minute film about London’s Brewing Scene. Based in London he’s observed the rise of London beer & bars over the years, always wanting to check out the latest places, especially if that means having a few beers! Check out where to watch the film at http://originalgravityfilm.uk and follow them @OGBeerFilm.

Sir Thomas Gardyner from Brick Brewery (on cask)
This was the first beer I tried from Brick Brewery and was blown away by this flavoursome 3.8% beer. With the hype of high alcohol and big hops being very dominant, it was a welcome reception to have such a lovely cask ale, well cared for and local. Brick Brewery have excited me since I tried this beer, if you haven’t gotten hold of one of their beers yet, you should!!

Pale Fire from Pressure Drop (on keg)
I LOVE THIS BEER!! Pressure Drop get me with this beer every time. It is a house pour in many places, and rightly so – it is a phenomenal pale ale, with a juicy body and all the hop aroma to make you feel like your dancing through America’s hop fields, with the sun gleaming over you. This is my go-to whenever I see it.

Tonic Ale from Tap East (on cask)
I stumbled upon Tap East in Stratford Westfield by accident trying to find a bookshop. It is a small piece of heaven in a large, arduous shopping centre – you can sit back on their lovely leather sofas and drink a delicious pint of Tonic Ale to revive you for the rest of your shopping, or if you fancy something darker Coffee in the Morning is a delicious smooth stout with fresh coffee beans added. I’ve built a great friendship with Tap East; their Head Brewer being one of the first people I spoke to about the Original Gravity film project. So if you’re in Stratford struggling to get through those January sales, try taking a break and enjoy a pint (or two!) of Tap East’s 6 cask & 10 keg selection.

Have you tried any of the beers above? What have been your Tryanuary standouts from London brewers?

Tryanuary Round-up of London Brews #2

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We’ve been asking some of our favourite folks around town for their Tryanuary picks from London breweries. Here’s the second instalment of a selection of London beers they think you should try this month.

Doreen Joy Barber, Communications & Events Manager at The Five Points Brewing Company

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Doreen Joy Barber is The Five Points Brewing Company‘s Communications, Marketing & Events Manager, as well as the organiser of London Brewer’s Market and the ghost in the shell for other schemes, including Tweeast London (@tweeastlondon). She likes cats and has obscene difficulty in picking just three beers from London breweries she wants people to drink.

Railway Porter from The Five Points Brewing Company
Have a pint of Railway Porter on cask during a bleak January evening, preferably next to a fireplace with either a book or some good conversation, and you’ll be winning all the days. So rich, so tasty–it’s like a roasty, bitter chocolate, beery hug for your soul. I don’t have a favourite of beers we do, but the Railway Porter is a definite comfort beer.

Imperial Brown Stout from The Kernel Brewery
The Imperial Brown Stout from The Kernel has long been a favourite since my days working in a pub in Stoke Newington around four years ago. It’s the ultimate winter warmer with its high percentage, smooth taste and obscene drinkability. There are additionally other barrel-aged versions of this beer, so seek those out for extra Tryanuary points.

Nightwatchman from East London Brewing Company
ELB produce some absolutely stunning beers on cask, so it’s hard to pick a favourite among them. Nightwatchman is a lovely pint of bitter with a nice amber-red hue to it. Slightly sweet and caramel-biscuity but with enough hops to keep it interesting. You must have in a pub that looks after its cask ale really well like The Wenlock Arms. If you can pair it with a cheese toastie, even better.

Chris Hall, Beer Writer and Sales & Media Coordinator for Brew By Numbers

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Chris Hall is a freelance beer writer and beer judge, and works for Brew By Numbers as Sales & Media Coordinator. As well day-to-day sales, Chris manages the growing brewery’s social media (@brewbynumbers), website, blog and external events. You can find him on Twitter @chrishallbeer. His photo was taken by Gavin Freeborn.

Mariana Trench from Weird Beard Brew Co.
Easily one of the most underrated and unsung beers in the UK, never mind London, Mariana Trench is a transpacific pale ale with an utterly sublime juiciness that runs the spectrum of orange, lime, passionfruit, grape and peach. I’ve been blown away by this beer in every format I’ve tasted it in, but none more so than on cask, where the silky mouthfeel seems to really let the juice loose.

London Sour Damson from The Kernel Brewery
Of the many, many beers from The Kernel that I’d recommend to friends, fellow pub patrons and passers-by in the street, Damson Sour (or DAMN, Son! Sour as I call it) is at the top of my list. For one, it’s a beautiful, radiant fuchsia-pink beer that demands to be held up to the light. It’s also a delight to drink, the plummy richness of Damson balanced sharply by its uncompromisingly mouth-popping tartness.

Nico from Orbit Beers
I’ve been hugely impressed by the output of Robbie and the guys at Orbit in 2015. Nico is their Cologne ‘kolsch’-style ale, which is a fantastic gateway beer for those who love lagers and golden ales but want to get into beers with depth and complexity. Nico is a very technically-accomplished kolsch. It’s a style defined by softness, delicacy and refreshment, which Nico has in spades.

Beer Farts, Beer Writer and Lego Legend
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Beer Farts is a “beer writer, blogger, geek or whatever the term is nowadays,” best known for pairing Lego with his beer reviews. He also happens to work in sales for a London brewery, but his enthusiasm for beer extends far and wide. Beer Farts can be found on Twitter and Instagram (@beer_farts) and will soon launch a website: beerfarts.beer.

London Alt from Mondo Brewing
Many well establish brewers have attempted and failed at this style. Even some flat capped punks didn’t get it right. An extremely tricky style of beer to master but Mondo seem to have proven it’s not just the German’s that can brew it well. Full of plum, orange, apple, berries and caramelised nuts. If you’ve never tried an Alt bier before than this is a perfect example of how great it can be.

Hepcat from Gipsy Hill Brewing Company
So many session IPAs lack a punch but not this one from Gipsy Hill. Packed full of tropical fruits throughout with a moreish biscuit body that just makes you want more. These guys never fail to impress and prove that low abv beers don’t have to have less flavour.

Treason IPA from Uprising Brewery
Kieran (head brewer) may be young but he oozes knowledge which is no doubt in part to his dad, Paddy of Windsor & Eton Brewery. For his first brew for Uprising Kieran took the west coast styled IPAs and gave it a posh Windsor accent. Combining pine, orange and mango sherbet all on a rich caramel base. Perfectly balanced with a clean finish.

What have been some of your favourite Tryanuary discoveries from London breweries? Give ’em a shout in our comments.

Looking back at London Beer City

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It’s been a month since the end of all the fun of this year’s London Beer City. We asked Patrick Matthewson, who has been helping out with London Brewers’ Market behind the scenes, to give us a run-down of some of the several events that happened.

London Beer City was an incredible celebration of the vibrant beer scene, a time for brewers and beer enthusiasts to come together and appreciate the mass of unbelievable beer being produced from all across the globe. The festival was a fantastic opportunity to see London’s position in the craft beer revolution with pubs all across the city getting involved and showcasing their commitment to great brews.

Cask is Important at The Duke's Head

The week was jam-packed with exciting events such as a brew day with Clarkshaws, the launch of Redchurch’s barrel-aged saison and a look into label art at Camden Town Brewery. Particularly exciting was Cask Is Important at The Duke’s Head in Highgate, a week long exploration of cask beer and it’s relevance in today’s craft beer scene. The event was curated by beer writer Matt Curtis and the team at The Duke’s Head. They curated a truly outstanding list featuring brews from The Five Points Brewing Company, Moor and Magic Rock amongst others greatly enriched by a tutored tasting from Matt Curtis. The beers all helped to reaffirm cask as a vital part of our brewing culture and showcased unique flavour profiles from well established brews like Beavertown’s Smog Rocket. A particular highlight was the exclusive brew from Weird Beard, Curtis and The Duke’s Head – The Duke of Dank, a big, hoppy red IPA which left a lingering impression on the consumer with rich fruity flavours. The beer is released in bottles and is well worth tasting.

London Beer City highlighted the versatility of beer and in particular it’s powerful relation to food with events such as a Japanese food pairing at Brew By Numbers and a pie and ale session with Fuller’s. During the week Ned Palmer hosted some delicious cheese and beer pairing at some of London’s best breweries. The sessions created some unbelievable taste combinations and showed beer to be a worthy challenger to the more established wine and cheese pairings. These enthralling events really encapsulated the brilliance of London Beer City and shows how beer is beginning to challenge established culinary pairings.

Mad Hatter Tap Takeover at Mother Kelly's

Amongst all of this were tap takeovers from breweries at the forefront of the craft beer scene. These included Derbyshire heavyweights Thornbridge, the consistently inventive Mad Hatter Brewing, Welsh favourites Tiny Rebel and Hackney brewers The Five Points Brewing Company. These events at venues including Mother Kelly’s, Hop & Berry and Hand of Glory offered consumers an insight into the range of brews being made by brewers in different areas of the country.

London Beer City neatly included the Great British Beer Festival and London Craft Beer Festival. Both were excellent examples of how diverse the beer scene is at the moment and delighted fans of both cask and keg no end. They included brilliant brews from Partizan, London Brewing Co and Pressure Drop amongst others and further established London at the forefront of the beer scene.

Ultimately London Beer City was a special week and was something that brought together the disparate elements of the beer scene into one incredible celebration. It created a tangible representation of the community that is developing around beer in London. A big thank you to Will Hawkes, writer of Craft Beer London, for all his hard work and for organising such an unbelievable week. Bring on next year!