Real ale has been steadily gaining popularity over the last few years and no where has embraced it quite so enthusiastically as the capital. London’s bars and pubs are full of real ale selections and an ever growing number of craft beers. Here are some of the best places to visit to get in on the scene:
1. Jolly Butchers, Stoke Newington
Attracting a fashionable young crowd since it was spruced up in 2010, the Jolly Butchers offers a legendary Sunday lunch and a huge selection of craft beers, real ales, stouts and ciders. The pub was named one of the Guardian’s Top 10 pubs in Britain within a year of opening and they’ve made a name for themselves by searching out specialist breweries from around London.
2. Craft Beer Co, Clerkenwell
They claim to offer the UK’s greatest selection of craft beer on draft and while we can’t confirm the claim, we can tell you that there are 37 taps on the bar top, including a good selection of cask ales. If that’s not enough variety for you, there are also several fridges filled with assorted bottles. Many of the beers are small batch and hand crafted, so you won’t find them in your average London boozer. Prices can be high for the more prized beers, but that doesn’t put real ale-lovers off. This is a place of pilgrimage for anyone who is serious about beer.
3. The Bree Louise, Euston
The decoration isn’t much to write home about, but ale lovers travel from far and wide to visit the Bree Louise. The goal: to taste one of their 17 ales, 11 of which are gravity dispensed for the perfect finish. The ale and cider selection are changed regularly and you’ll also find over 100 international whiskies. Book a room at our Travelodge in Euston and you won’t have far to travel to get home either.
4. The Draft House, Clapham
The Draft House is actually part of a chain of London pubs that focus on finding great beer, cellaring it and serving it correctly. In the same way you might do with good wine. If you’re new to the scene and are keen to try as many varieties as possible, then the Draft House is the perfect spot, offering 1/3 pint measures so you can create your own tasting menu without pushing your limits.
5. The Harp Bar, Covent Garden
Well hidden for a West End pub, the cosy Harp beats the odds among the crowded streets of Covent Garden to create a welcoming, down to earth atmosphere. It won CAMRA’s prestigious National Pub of the Year title in 2011 and has continued to maintain a high standard ever since. The emphasis here is on real ale and craft beers, with eight, regularly changing ales available. Our Travelodge Covent Garden is just a short walk away, so you can be tucked up in bed within minutes once you’ve had your fill.
