5 Traditional British Pubs Serving Great Craft Beer

As you will have read, ACB’s Editor-in-Chief Tom Bobak and I hit the British capital hard at the end of January. It was a great couple of days and I was thrilled to be able to show off what an amazing craft beer destination London is.

Following on from our mini tour of the capital, I wanted to share a word or two about great British pubs that serve craft beer. In the UK, your average beer drinker still hasn’t quite come to grips with what craft beer actually is. Sure, the geeks get it but more than a third of beer lovers have no idea. The bottom line – here and in the US – is that craft beer is brewed by people who love beer and want to make the sort of beer they themselves want to drink. We’ve been enjoying it for decades. We just didn’t use to call it craft beer.

I mention all this because the craft beer boom includes many new bars and taprooms, which although they are fabulous places to drink, are quite different from the traditional British public house – which is what ‘pub’ is short for. Traditional pubs actually feel like you’re in someone’s house in many ways – with their ornaments and pictures, possibly an open fire, comfy chairs, sofas, and dining tables. Indeed once they were simply someone’s house where beer was sold. (The bar itself being a line between the public and private part of the house.) It’s hard to sum up a typical pub because there’s lots of variety and each has its own charm, but if you visit Britain and don’t go for a pint in a proper, traditional pub then you’re missing out.

Here’s five of the best in London town…

1. 1. The White Horse, Parsons Green – SW6

A pioneer of the British craft beer scene, the pub formerly nicknamed the “Sloaney Pony” (because of its then yuppie clientele) is a temple of polished dark wood, leather seats, and a prime destination for a beer and food matched dinner. Beer wise, there’s usually eight different cask ales, several keg beers, and more than 100 bottled beers to choose from.

1. 1. The Craft Beer Co, Leather Lane – EC1

A pub since at least 1869, this is part of a small chain dedicated to great beer, with locations across the capital (and one by the sea in Brighton too). When you walk into this pub, it might seem a little unassuming until you glance up at the fantastic mirrored ceiling and spot the chandelier! If the bar seems cramped, it’s worth knowing there is more room upstairs. Great for a quiet lunchtime pint and a Scotch Egg.

1. 1. The Bull, Highgate – N6

Another splendid hostelry that takes beer and food pairing seriously and also has its own on-site brewery for some truly local beers. Manages to feel both traditional and modern at the same time. Perhaps its the combination of the pub-like dark red decor and fireplace coupled with wall decorations celebrating the likes of Dogfish Head and Brooklyn Brewery.

1. 1. The Bricklayers Arms, Putney – SW15

A brilliant example of a backstreet local, it calls itself ‘London’s Permanent Beer Festival’ for good reason. Landlady Becky Newman prides herself on selling top-quality cask ale from Britain’s best breweries and also holds regular beer festivals showcasing different regions of the UK.

1. 1. The Southampton Arms, NW5

There’s a feeling of stepping into the past in this pub – in a good way, when life was simpler and full of less distractions. Seating is basic and decor restrained but includes some gems like vintage mirrors advertising British breweries. It’s a cash-only bar (no card payments) dedicated to selling beer from ‘small, independent UK breweries’ with a basic menu of meaty fare, such as pulled pork and pies. Basic it may be, but you’ll go away feeling enriched.