London has over 100 breweries, more than any other city in Britain, and a food producer scene that draws on the most diverse culinary influences in the world. The city that once lost almost all of its breweries to consolidation has seen a renaissance that has made it one of the great beer cities of the world.
The Bermondsey Beer Mile is the beating heart of London craft beer. The Kernel Brewery started it all in 2009 when Evin O Riordain, a former cheesemonger at Neal Yard Dairy, set up a brewery in a railway arch after a trip to New York opened his eyes to what beer could be. Today, 15 to 20 breweries and taprooms cluster under the railway arches between London Bridge and South Bermondsey, making it one of the most concentrated craft beer destinations anywhere. Brew By Numbers, Fourpure, Anspach and Hobday, Partizan, and Hiver are all part of the mile.
Beyond Bermondsey, Five Points in Hackney became employee-owned in 2023 and produces ales using British malt and whole-leaf hops. Pressure Drop brews on the Blackhorse Beer Mile in Walthamstow and Tottenham. Gipsy Hill Brewing in South London produces Beatnik pale ale and Dissident stout. Partizan is known for hand-drawn labels by artist Alec Doherty, with each brew a one-off creation.
Sipsmith brought copper pot distilling back to London in 2009 for the first time in nearly 200 years. Haymans has been family-run since 1863, the last family gin distillery in London. East London Liquor Company produces gin, vodka, rum, and whisky at Bow Wharf.
Borough Market is one of the oldest food markets in London, and its traders include some of the most respected food producers in Britain. Neal Yard Dairy has been maturing and selling the finest artisan British cheeses since 1979. Kappacasein makes the legendary toasted cheese sandwich. Cannon and Cannon champions British charcuterie. Monmouth Coffee has been roasting since 1978. Dusty Knuckle Bakery in Dalston is a social enterprise producing exceptional sourdough while providing training to young people at risk.
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