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 for what’s happening in Londontown.
Bring on November, with its cooler nights and shorter days. London is braced for you. In spite of your best efforts, we refuse to loaf around when there’s so much to do and such great beer to conquer.
We welcome this month with another round-up of the best beer events because as the woolly layers go on and daylight disappears, we have to do something to keep our sanity:
FIVE POINTS TAP TAKEOVER: Wednesday, 2 November, 17:00-23:00. Another corker from the good folks at The Rake pub in Borough Market, this tap takeover showcases Hackney’s The Five Points Brewing Co. Expect a range of their beers on cask, keg and in bottle together with chipper representatives on hand to answer any burning questions. Every beer purchased will put you in line to win a mysterious – but undoubtedly fabulous – beery prize. The Rake, 14 Winchester Walk, Borough Market, SE1 9AG London. Free: https://www.facebook.com/events/194997380924055/
ANSPACH & HOBDAY TASTING & TOUR: Thursday, November 3, 18:30-21:30. One of the Bermondsey brewery crew, Anspach & Hobday invite you on a behind-the-scenes tour of their railway arch outfit, to meet the brewer and taste three of their beers (with another beer on arrival). Focused on making London the epicentre of the best beer in the world, this is a brewery with a mission- and they’re well on the way, from what we’ve tasted. Anspach & Hobday, 118 Druid Street, SE1 2 London. Tickets are £15 +bf and available to purchase here.
BRIXTON BREWERY TASTINGS + TOURS: Friday, 4 November & Friday, 24 November, 18:30- 22:00. Join Brixton Brewery‘s founder, Jez Galaun, on an evening tour. Highlights include an overview of the brewing process and tasters of 4 beers with ample opportunity to find out more about this South London family-run operation. Their bold flavours and vibrant branding are as colourful as the local area, so escape the dreariness of November with some dynamic beer and insight into one of London’s most community-focused breweries. Brixton Brewery, Arch 547, Brixton Station Road, London SW9 8PF. Tickets are £15 and available here.
HOP SWAP V.4 FEATURING MONDO BREWING: Tuesday, 8 November, 20:00-23:00. This month’s Hop Swap brings together a brewery, a baker and a candlestick maker. Well, maybe not the last one, but Battersea’s Mondo Brewing Company will be in attendance for a meet the brewer and tap takeover at The Cock Tavern in Hackney. Thai in a Pie will be dishing out their fusion-filled parcels and competing against marinara masters, Capish?, in a hot sauce showdown. All of this madness will unfold against the backdrop of a good old-fashioned bottle share- so be sure to have something special in tow- and even a mystery trade raffle that will have people talking for days. All types of beer drinkers- from lambic lovers to premium lager swillers- are welcome. The Cock Tavern, 315 Mare Street, London E8 1EJ. Free, but bring some beer along for the bottle share: https://www.facebook.com/events/1768392403426294/
BEAVERTOWN PARTY AT MASON & CO: Wednesday, 9 November, 18:00-23:00. Hackney Wick hotspot Mason & Company are throwing a Beavertown Brewery tap takeover of collosal proportions: 18 taps will see the seven core beers represented alongside 11 specials and limited editions. Expect Phantom Sours, Elder Mother Elderberry Pale and Fresh ‘espresso Stout, with more surprises on the night. The team will be journeying in from Tottenham Hale to talk beer and – for the culture vultures – some of their legendary artwork will be on display. Like an eager beaver, get there early and try everything. Mason & Company, 25 East Bay Lane, Here East, Hackney Wick, Lonon E20 3BS. Free: https://www.facebook.com/events/1774876352781821/
>>new>> LEYTON ORIENT SUPPORTERS CLUB ALE NIGHT: Friday, 11 November, 17:00-23:00. The Leyton Orient Supporters Club are holding a special evening to celebrate being awarded Greater London Club of the Year 2016 by CAMRA in appropriate style, putting on a commendable line-up of cask that showcases a number of local breweries. The Five Points Brewing Co, Hackney Brewery and One Mile End Brewery are on the bill. Signature Brew debuted their Roadie IPA on cask during a recent tap takeover and this will be available on the night. Raise a glass and see the team receive their award during the evening. Leyton Orient Supporters Club, Matchroom Stadium, Brisbane Road, London E10 5NF. Free: https://thehalfpintgentleman.com/2016/11/07/leyton-orient-supporters-club-london-ale-night-camra-greater-london-club-of-the-year-presentation-111016/
THE BREWERY KITCHEN SUNDAY LUNCH: Sunday, 13 November, 13:00-17:00. Here’s one for the foodies- Fourepure Brewing Co has teamed up with The Brewery Kitchen to showcase how beer and brewing ingredients can be incorporated into cooking. A cornucopia across three courses is promised, with each dish matched with beer to bring out the complexities in both the food and libations. The Brewery Kitchen’s head chef will be on hand alongside a sommelier to act as guides and canapes and a welcome drink are also included. Your Sunday roast will pale in comparison to this feast. Fourpure Brewery, 22 Bermondsey Trading Estate, Rotherhithe New Road, London SE16 3LE. Tickets are £50 and can be purchased here.
>>new>> BOOZERS WITHOUT BORDERS: Monday, 14 November, 19:00-23:00. Boozers without Borders present Craft for Calais, an event fundraising for refugees in Calais. Drink for a charitable cause – you philanthropist you – and you won’t be going parched or be awash in bland beer. Great London breweries such as 40FT Brewery, The Five Points Brewing Co, Fourpure Brewing Co, Pressure Drop Brewing and Hackney Brewery have donated beer for the occasion. A ticket guarantees you a generous tasting menu of beers. Giving never tasted so good.Draft House Hammersmith, 238 Shepherds Bush Road, W6 7NL London. Tickets are limited and only Generous tickets remain (£32 + bf), which can be purchased here.
BULLFINCH TAP TAKEOVER: Thursday, 17 November, 17:00-23:00. Yet another event at The Rake, this tap takeover sees Herne Hill’s Bullfinch Brewery take the reigns. Expect a selection of their beer and a chance to chat with the Bullfinch team about their adventurous, flavoursome beer. There’s a raffle involved, so grab a pint to ensure that you’re in it to win it. The Rake, 14 Winchester Walk, Borough Market, SE1 9AG London. Free: https://www.facebook.com/events/1735800023405140/
FOURPURE MEET THE BREWER AND TASTING: Friday, 18 November, 18:00-20:00. Friday night is best spent with friends, so why not head over to The Taproom in Woolwich Arsenal for a tasting and chinwag with Fourpure Brewing Co? They’ll be sampling five of their freshest seasonal beers and offering 10% off pizzas in the taproom on the night to keep drinkers sustained. Free registration includes a half pint too. Couldn’t we use more friends like this in all of our lives? The Hop Stuff Taproom, 15 Major Draper Street, London SE18. Free, but register here.
>>new>> 40FT CEILI OUTSIDE A CONTAINER PARTY: Friday, 18 November, 18:00- Saturday, 19 November, 02:00. Just in time for the plummeting temperatures, the guys at 40FT Brewery are relaunching Deep, their rich and malty stout. This will be an authentic Irish affair, where Hugh Cooney will be leading a ceili with the help from traditional in-house Irish band from The Auld Shillelagh pub. A friendly crowd, food and a roaring campfire will complete the experience with touches of Irish hospitality (an abundance of beer). 40FT Brewery, Bootyard, Abbott Street, E8 3DP London. Free: https://www.facebook.com/events/160469961085435/
REDEMPTION & WEIRD BEARD DUAL TAP TAKEOVER: Saturday, 19 November, 12:00-23:00. Head down to The Craft Beer Co Clerkenwell for this tantalising dual tap takeover. Not one but TWO great breweries, Redemption Brewing and Weird Bread Brew Co, will join forces to bring drinkers a range of their core and special beers. Naturally, there will also be an exclusive collaboration available on the night and the opportunity to snap up some merchandise, mini kegs and other delights. The Craft Beer Co. Clerkenwell, 82 Leather Lane, London EC1N 7TR. Free: https://www.facebook.com/events/1157616057642598/
ANSPACH & HOBDAY BEER AND CAKE DAY: Sunday, 20 November, 12:30-17:30. Professed to be the biggest event of the year- Anspach & Hobday Brewery are marrying two of life’s greatest pleasures: beer and cake. They’ll provide the beer and invite guests to come to the brewery bearing cakes. Only 15 cakes can be accommodated and contributing bakers will each get a pint courtesy of A&H. Cakes will be judged and one will emerge victorious- there’s a prize of a case of beer and a brewery tour on the line. But really, everyone wins here. Somebody has to eat all of those cakes. Anspach & Hobday, 118 Druid Street, SE1 2 London. Free, but bakers must register their intent to bring cake in advance here.
>>new>> HOP STUFF & DRURY TEA & COFFEE BEER LAUNCH: Thursday, 24 November, 18:00-22:30. Woolwich’s Hop Stuff Brewery put their heads together with Drury Tea & Coffee to create three coffee-themed beers in 2015. This year, they’re upping the ante and hosting a party in their taproom to promote their three 2016 collaboration beers: Early Grey Pale Ale, Spiced Chai Red Ale and Coffee Infused Gunners Porter. There will be tasting flights and other coffee-related goodies available, including food inspired by java. It goes without saying: there will be a huge buzz surrounding this event. The Taproom, 15 Major Draper Street, London SE18. Free: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/hop-stuff-drury-tea-coffee-beer-launch-tickets-29070549797
LONDON BREWERS’ MARKET CHRISTMAS EDITION: Saturday, 26 November, 11:00-18:30. Jingle beers, jingle beers…What’s better than turkey dinner and Eastenders? A Christmas beer festival, of course! Taking place at Old Spitalfields Market, the Christmas edition of the London Brewers’ Market is going to be a jolly affair with 26 London breweries already confirmed. Beer will be available on keg and to purchase and a stellar soundtrack will be provided by the event’s co-hosts, the Independent Label Market. You can expect some old favourites and new faces in attendance, so this is a great way to familiarise yourself with London’s brewing scene all while stocking up for Crimbo. Old Spitalfields Market, Brushfield Street, London E1 6AA. Free: https://www.facebook.com/events/572388376285536/
>>new>> 33RD PIG’S EAR BEER & CIDER FESTIVAL: Tuesday, 29 November, 12:00- Saturday, 3 December, 22:30. Pig’s ear is Cockney rhyming slang for beer, and that’s exactly what is promised at this year’s East London & City’s CAMRA event. Over 230 real ales will be on offer, plus a huge range of bottles, perries and ciders to boot. Keep an eye on their website for announcements, but it’s assured that there will be some special beers on cask from local East London breweries alongside a range of other foreign and domestic beers. No porky pies here – this is going to be a real knees-up. Round Chapel, 1D Glenarm Road, E5 0LY London. Entry is £3 for CAMRA members and £5 for non-CAMRA members. https://www.facebook.com/events/1819532508333476/
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. This post will be edited as the month progresses to include new events, so watch this space!