London Beer Week: five brews worth trying
The first London Beer Week has highlighted the city's huge growth in brewing and beers. Here are five of the best on sale as part of the festivities.
It’s the inaugural London Beer Week and pubs around the capital are serving up cheaper pints to people in possession of a £10 wristband. But it’s not about flogging cut-price craft beer, so much as showing off both the variety of brews made in London (and further afield) and the diversity of its drinking establishments.
It’s also very much tuning in to current trends by serving hoptails (a fairly cringeworthy name for beer cocktails) and boilermakers, the latest imported US fad, which is essentially a beer served with an appropriately-matched shot. They’re named after industrial metalworkers who no doubt needed them after a hot day’s labour.
There's also a public brew, brewery tours and tastings, masterclasses and special food pairing evenings.
Big and small breweries on show
While many of the beers on offer will not be new to anyone who has drunk ale in even a fraction of London’s pubs, there are some very interesting brews from smaller and foreign names.
Bigger brewers such as Guinness and Sharp's of Cornwall are also using the event as an opportunity to showcase different brews than the ones they are most famous for. The Guinness Dublin porter is definitely worth a taste if you like a darker, creamier drink but find stout too heavy.
If there is one trend running through the beers available it’s the move towards heavier-hopped varieties, but there's still plenty to try if you don't like a strong mouthful.
Five beers to try
Here are five beers worth seeking out during the remainder of London Beer Week:
Fourpure Pale Ale – despite being served in cans (call me a snob) this American West Coast-style ale is smooth and moreish.
Hix IPA – chef Mark Hix has his own eponymous brew in his restaurant and it’s a fine take on a London classic.
Chapel Down Curious Brew – made using Champagne yeast, this light, summery beer with a hint of elderflower brightens up the dark winter nights.
Two Fingers Aurelio Golden Artisan – as well as being a smooth, summery effort, the sales of this not-for-profit beer are being donated to Prostate Cancer UK.
Anspach & Hobday White Coffee Stout – inspired by an Antipodean import to London – the flat white coffee – this is an interesting take for those who like a much richer brew.
The week culminates in Craft Beer Rising (separately ticketed) – a three-day festival at the renowned Old Truman Brewery that will highlight more of the capital’s craft creations.
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