London's Best Craft Beer: Where To Buy

London is home to a plethora of craft beer shops, ranging from small independent stores to large bottle shops with attached bars. Whether you're looking to buy in-store or online, London has something for every craft beer enthusiast. The city's craft beer scene is thriving, with new breweries and bottleshops appearing all the time. So, where exactly can you buy craft beer in London?

Specialist shops in central London

The London Beer House, just off Haymarket, is a pocket-sized bar and bottle shop, ideal for stocking up before a picnic in a nearby Royal Park.

Ghost Whale has two bottle shops in London, in Brixton and Putney, with over 500 craft beers available to drink in or take away. The Brixton branch has a beer garden and is known for its friendly, fun, neighbourhood feel. The Putney shop has eight draft lines, 10 fridges, and plenty of comfortable seating.

Clapton Craft has four locations in north London, with a south London outpost due soon. All offer a well-curated selection of beers from around the world, plus accessible brews for growler-fill.

Indiebeer is a craft beer and natural wine shop in Holloway, London, with same-day local delivery.

North London beer shops

North London has a plethora of shops dedicated to craft beer enthusiasts. Here are some of the best shops to visit:

Indiebeer

Indiebeer, located at 322 Holloway Rd, London N7 6NJ, is a revelation on Holloway Road. It boasts a bookcase-like row of fridges with a cosy drink-in experience, complete with sofas and tables. The owners, Clare and Owen, are a super knowledgeable wife-husband team always ready to guide you through the various beer styles. Indiebeer also has four taps of hard-to-find beers on keg behind the counter.

Caps and Taps

Caps and Taps, Kentish Town's first craft beer specialist, is a tiny shop with a vast selection. It offers around 300 beers from London, the rest of the UK, the US, and worldwide. It is located at 141, Fortress Road, London NW5 2HR, en route from Kentish Town to Tufnell Park. The owners, Phil and Steph, provide laid-back advice on the latest in-trend beers. You can also find some US East Coast imports here, which are pricier but worth the treat.

12 Ounce Bottleshop

This bright and contemporary space, located at 31 Park Rd, Crouch End, London N8 8TE, is a newcomer to the North London craft beer scene. Owners Alex and Greg offer beers they themselves would like to drink, along with a few for the masses. They also have thoughtful beer gift boxes with edgy choices.

Whitehall Wines

Whitehall Wines is a hidden gem situated at 89 Cheverton Rd, London N19 3BA, between Archway and Highgate. This tiny, family-run off-license offers a wide range of beers, including Verdant, Pressure Drop, and DEYA, as well as international bottles. The owner, Sel, is knowledgeable about the produce, and the beers here are often slightly cheaper than at other establishments.

Bottle Apostle

Bottle Apostle has multiple locations in North London, including Crouch End, Primrose Hill, and Victoria Park. While it has shifted its focus more towards wine, it still offers a very reliable selection of beers, especially from established craft breweries. It is an ideal spot to find a nice bottle from The Kernel.

Clapton Craft

Clapton Craft has four locations in North London: Clapton, Finsbury Park, Kentish Town, and Walthamstow. They offer a well-curated selection of beers from around the world, along with accessible brews for growler-fill. The original Clapton Craft, which opened in 2014, set the standard for their successful expansion.

North London certainly has a lot to offer when it comes to craft beer, and these shops are just the tip of the iceberg. Each shop has its unique character and selection, so be sure to explore and find your favourites!

East London beer shops

If you're looking for craft beer shops in East London, there are several options to choose from. Here are some recommendations:

Beer Merchants Tap

Located in Hackney Wick, Beer Merchants Tap is a craft beer bar and bottle shop. They offer a wide selection of craft beers, with 20 keg taps, 2 cask pumps, and over 500 bottles and cans from various countries, including Belgium, Britain, Norway, Germany, Spain, and the USA. They also serve artisan cheese and meat platters, classic bar snacks, and soft drinks.

Seven Seasons Beer

A family-run craft beer bottle shop on Hoxton Street, just a 10-minute walk from Old Street. They specialise in fresh beers from independent breweries in the UK, Europe, and worldwide. Seven Seasons Beer also offers a range of wines, ciders, and other drinks, and they don't charge corkage, so you can drink on-site for the same price as taking away. They also host beer tastings and events and can deliver beer boxes straight to your door.

Bottle Apostle

Bottle Apostle is a small but growing chain of wine shops that also offer a good selection of beers, with a focus on London breweries. The Victoria Park outpost is particularly notable, featuring an entire room dedicated to beer, ale, cider, and mead, mostly sourced from local London producers.

Kill the Cat

Located near a cereal café, Kill the Cat is a craft beer bar that offers beers to drink in or take away at reasonable prices. They have a novel way of displaying their stock, ranging from familiar brews to more potent and unique options.

Ghost Whale

With bottle shops in Brixton and Putney, Ghost Whale offers a vast selection of craft beers, including over 500 options in their shops and more than 400 available for delivery across the UK and Europe. They stock beers from various breweries worldwide and have an online store for convenient ordering and delivery.

South London beer shops

South London is home to some of the best craft breweries in London, and the presence of these breweries has led to the opening of some fantastic beer shops. Here are some of the best beer shops in South London:

Ghost Whale, Brixton and Putney

Ghost Whale is officially recognised as one of the best craft beer shops in London in the Rate Beer Awards. With over 500 craft beers available, Ghost Whale offers a huge range of craft beer and 6 tap lines from the best breweries in the UK and around the world. Their Brixton shop, which opened in December 2016, is a friendly, fun neighbourhood beer shop with a beer garden. The Putney shop, which opened in August 2019, has 8 draft lines, 10 fridges, and loads of comfortable seating. Ghost Whale also has an online shop that delivers craft beer to your door.

Art & Craft SW16, Streatham

Art & Craft SW16 is the first specialist beer shop in Streatham, owned and operated by The Inkspot Brewery. They offer over 500 London and international craft beers from numerous independent breweries, along with a wonderful mix of urban and contemporary art for you to enjoy while you browse their selection.

The Beer Shop, Nunhead

The Beer Shop in Nunhead is a go-to spot for residents and offers a carefully selected range of Trappist, Belgian, fruit, and pilsner brews. London ales are well represented, with options like Kernel and Windsor & Eton. The staff are knowledgeable and can provide advice on the optimum glassware to use with different varieties of beer, as well as food matching. They also sell everything to take away, even draught beers.

We Brought Beer, Balham/Clapham Junction/Tooting

We Brought Beer has three shops in South London, offering a great selection of craft beers. They also have beers on tap to sip on while browsing or to take away.

Hop Burns & Black, East Dulwich

Hop Burns & Black offers a unique combination of beer, hot sauce, and vinyl. They sell a wide variety of beers, including lesser-seen styles from around the world. They have four taps pouring beer to drink in or take away, and they plan to add a beer garden in the spring of 2017.

West London beer shops

West London is home to some of the best beer shops in the city, offering a wide range of craft beers from local and international breweries. Here are some of the top spots to check out:

The Beer Shop

This award-winning shop in West London is a beer lover's paradise, boasting every conceivable type of interesting beer in bottles, cans, and on tap. With over 300 beers in five metres' worth of fridges, you'll be spoilt for choice. If you're looking for a unique drinking experience, head to the bar, where you can enjoy juicy burgers and 20 taps of hop-laden delights.

Fulham Beer Shop

This dedicated beer shop in Fulham offers a truly exceptional range of beers from around the world. With over 500 examples of British, Belgian, German, American, Antipodean, and other international beers, you're sure to find something to tantalise your taste buds. The stock changes regularly, and the knowledgeable staff will gladly guide you towards new and exciting bottles, such as the Brewdog Bashah double black IPA or the Goose Island Bourbon County Stout.

Ghost Whale

With locations in Brixton and Putney, Ghost Whale is a passionate, independent craft beer and culture hub. They stock over 500 craft beers, including options from the UK and international breweries, all available to drink on-site or take away. Ghost Whale also offers an online store with free shipping options to the UK and Europe, making it convenient to get your favourite craft beer delivered right to your door.

East Sheen Bottleshop

This family-run bottleshop in East Sheen offers a diverse range of beers from international breweries, along with a carefully curated selection of wines and soft drinks. With four taps for draught takeouts, mostly featuring London brewers, it's an excellent spot to discover new beers and old favourites.

West London's beer shops offer a fantastic array of craft beers to suit all tastes. Whether you're a local or just visiting, be sure to explore these destinations and uncover the unique drinking experiences they have to offer!

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