Best Beer-Buying Destinations In London

London is home to a plethora of shops specialising in craft beer. Whether you're after a can to crack open at home or you're seeking something special to share with friends, London's beer shops have got you covered. From north to south, east to west, the capital's independent bottle shops offer a huge range of craft beers, real ales, and international brews. So, where exactly can you buy beer in London?

Specialist shops in London for craft beer

London has a plethora of specialist shops for craft beer enthusiasts. Here are some of the best:

Hop Burns & Black

Found in East Dulwich, this shop is co-owned by a Kiwi, Glenn, and his business partner, Jen. It offers a wide selection of craft beers, hot sauces, and vinyl records. The UK is the focus of their beer selection, with hundreds of bottles and cans from British craft breweries, including Beavertown, Wild Beer Co, Siren Craft Brew, and Weird Beard Brew Co. They also have a good range of American beers and an impressive hot sauce collection, featuring local and imported products.

Ghost Whale

With shops in Brixton and Putney, Ghost Whale is an award-winning craft beer bottle shop. They stock over 500 craft beers, with a rotating tap list of incredible draft beers. Their Putney branch has a beer garden and is an excellent place to sample some of London's best craft beers. Ghost Whale also has an online shop, delivering fresh craft beer across the UK and Europe.

BottleDog

BottleDog, located on Gray's Inn Road, is the first bottle shop from the craft beer experts behind BrewDog. They offer over 250 beers from around the world, including a full range of BrewDog beers and many UK and imported craft brews. They also provide growler fills and homebrew supplies.

Caps & Taps

Kentish Town's first craft beer specialist, Caps & Taps, is a small shop with a big selection. They offer around 300 beers from London, the UK, the US, and beyond. It's a great place to find rare beers, especially esoteric US beers.

The London Beer House

This pocket-sized bar and bottle shop, just off Haymarket, is a central London gem. It offers a range of quality craft beers, ideal for stocking up before a picnic in one of the nearby Royal Parks.

No Boring Beer

With stores in Clapham and Deptford, No Boring Beer was created by beer enthusiasts Nikita and Roman. They offer over 200 beers from local breweries, featuring the best seasonal beers in London. They have rotating draught lines, allowing you to refill your growlers with refreshing beer.

Whether you're looking for a cosy neighbourhood shop or a large selection of international beers, London's specialist craft beer stores have something for every beer lover.

Beer shops in central London

When it comes to buying beer in central London, there is a noticeable dearth of quality craft beer, especially for take-out. However, there are still some great options to choose from. Here is a list of some of the best beer shops in central London:

The London Beer House

This pocket-sized bar and bottle shop, just off Haymarket, is ideal for stocking up before a picnic in one of the nearby Royal Parks. It offers a surprising selection of quality craft beers, making it a welcome addition to central London.

Brewdog

The Scottish brewery, Brewdog, has its first dedicated bottle shop in London, where it stocks its own flavoursome craft beers as well as a mighty selection from around the world. They also offer books and homebrew supplies, and host tutored tasting events.

Not Just Whiskies

While this shop does have a lot of whiskies, it also offers a decent range of craft beers, including many from Scotland that you won't find elsewhere in London.

Kill the Cat

Located in Spitalfields Market, Kill the Cat is a bar and a fully stocked bottle shop with over 100 beers to drink in or take away. They have an impressive selection of craft beers, ranging from familiar styles to hidden gems. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable, making it a great spot to discover new beers.

In addition to these central London options, there are also several excellent beer shops in north, east, south, and west London, offering a wide range of craft beers and other beverages.

Beer shops in north London

Beer enthusiasts in north London are spoilt for choice when it comes to specialist beer shops. Here are some of the best north London bottle shops to get your craft beer fix.

Indiebeer

Indiebeer, located on Holloway Road, stands out from the otherwise unremarkable parade of shops in the area. This quirky and well-stocked shop offers a wide range of craft beers from around the world, including Odell's 90/- and 5 Barrel Pale Ale from the US, and the full range of Redchurch Brewery and Kernel beers. The owners, Clare and Owen, are passionate and knowledgeable about craft beer and are always on hand to guide customers through the various styles and options. Indiebeer also offers free delivery for local orders over £40 and to most of the UK mainland for orders over £70.

Caps & Taps

Caps & Taps is Kentish Town's first craft beer specialist shop. Don't be fooled by its tiny size, as it packs a punch with around 300 beers from London, the rest of the UK, the US, and beyond. It is a great spot to find rare and esoteric US beers. The owners, Phil and Steph, provide a laid-back and friendly atmosphere, always ready to offer advice on the latest in-trend beers.

12 Ounce Bottleshop

This bright and contemporary bottleshop in Crouch End is a relatively new addition to the north London beer scene, having opened in Autumn 2020. Owners Alex and Greg offer a carefully curated selection of beers, including some edgy choices that set them apart from the usual suspects. They also provide thoughtful beer gift boxes, making it a great spot for finding unique gifts for the beer connoisseurs in your life.

Whitehall Wines

Tucked away between Archway and Highgate, off the beaten path, Whitehall Wines is a family-run off-license that offers a hidden treasure trove of craft beers. You'll find gems from Verdant, Pressure Drop, and DEYA, as well as a range of international bottles. The owner, Sel, is extremely knowledgeable about the produce and takes pride in offering a wide variety of options. Beers here are often slightly cheaper than other establishments, making it a great spot for those looking for a bargain.

Clapton Craft

Clapton Craft is a well-known name in north London, with four locations in the area: Clapton, Finsbury Park, Kentish Town, and Walthamstow. They offer a well-curated selection of beers from around the world, including many local London brews. The original Clapton location also has ten taps of draught beer available for takeaway in refillable 1-litre bottles and growlers. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable, making your craft beer experience enjoyable and informative.

Jiddler's Tipple

Based in North London, Jiddler's Tipple is a craft beer brand founded by Jacob Liddle, who has been home brewing in Turnpike Lane since 2019. Jiddler's Tipple beers are known for their unique vintage shirt patterns and perfectly balanced, delicious flavours. You can find their core range, including Bog Standard Lager, Juicy Chug Hazy IPA, and Another IPA, at various stockists across London or through their online shop.

Beer shops in east London

Beer enthusiasts in east London are spoilt for choice when it comes to specialist beer shops.

Seven Seasons Beer on Hoxton Street is a family-run craft beer bottle shop, just a 10-minute walk from Old Street. They stock the freshest beers from independent breweries in the UK, Europe, and the world, as well as wines, ciders, and spirits. They also offer beer gifts and delivery, and host beer tastings and events.

Beer Merchants Tap in Hackney Wick is a craft beer bar and bottle shop with 20 keg taps, 2 cask pumps, and over 500 bottles and cans from the world's best breweries. They also serve cheese and meat platters from artisan producers.

Clapton Craft has been described as a "downright-knee-trembling-sexy" bottle shop, with its black tiles, open brickwork, and exposed breeze block shelves. You'll find row upon row of bottles, as well as a filling station with a butler sink. They also have a branch in Kentish Town, which has 10 taps of draught beer.

Bottle Apostle, a small but growing chain of wine shops, has an outpost in Victoria Park that is particularly strong for beer lovers. It has a whole room dedicated to beer, ale, cider, and mead, most of which are from within London.

Mother Kelly's in Bethnal Green has a selection of takeaway brews in its wall of fridges, including conventional crafts and oodles of rarities, such as an oak-aged gooseberry beer from Denmark and non-alcoholic beers.

Beer shops in south London

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:

Art & Craft SW16, Streatham

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

The Beer Shop, Nunhead

The Beer Shop in Nunhead is the go-to beer shop in the area. The residents of SE15 are lucky to have The Beer Shop, and they continue to show their support. The Beer Shop sells everything to take away—even draught beers.

Ghost Whale, Brixton

Ghost Whale is an independent beer and culture shop with a curated selection of beer. The shop has over 500 craft beers in its Brixton and Putney bottle shops, all available to drink in or take away. The shop also has an online store, so you can get fresh craft beer delivered directly to your door.

We Brought Beer, Balham/Clapham Junction/Tooting

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

Waterintobeer, Brockley

Waterintobeer is a beer, homebrew shop, and bar in Brockley, offering over 200 different bottles and cans to either drink in or take away. The shop also sells brewing kits and ingredients for brewers of all aptitudes.

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