You probably think that the world of real ale is all about middle-aged men with eccentric facial hair, jumbo corduroy trousers, leather waistcoats and a thinly veiled interest in pagan festivals and Morris Dancing. (Wow, you've given this a LOT of thought, obviously.)
Well in actual fact, real ale is now hugely championed by the hip and the trendy; and why wouldn't it be? Real ale is the perfect antidote to the chemically clean lagers of the continent and strives for taste and character above huge volume sales.
... and if it takes you a while to acquire the taste you can always extract some enjoyment in the bizarre beer names, such as Bishop's Finger, Village Idiot, Fox's Nob and Old Rosie.
So hunt out some of these pubs, sit back, soak in the atmosphere and maybe sup a pint of Willie's Old Groyne.
London's best craft beers and real ales
This Stoke Newington pub has quietly been impressing with its range of craft ale and Belgian beers for a few years now. The Jolly Butchers excels with its Sunday roasts and yet even they are eclipsed by some of its beers. Try: Brew Dog Punk IPA.
Mason and Taylor is all about celebrating the hipper side of craft beer and with a location at the end of Redchurch Street, you can see why. Live bands support the wonderful array of beers in the fridges and on tap and although prices are fairly high, you’ll certainly remember a drink here. Try: Bristol Milk Stout from the Bristol Brewing Factory.
Transformed from a greasy spoon into a specialty beer pub in 2006, The Rake is established as one of London’s best for unusual ale. There are seven keg pumps and three real ales on at all times and best of all, none are permanent so as well as the 130 beers in the fridges the draught will surprise you every time. Try: Brooklyn India Pale Ale.
The Craft Beer Co. may be a relative newcomer to the London craft beer scene but it arrives like a big beer bully pummeling challengers to the ground. The largest selection of craft keg beer in the UK (they call themselves a never ending beer festival), 16 cask ales and over 300 bottles. Just don’t attempt to try too many at once. Try: An extremely random guest ale.
With a façade fitting of what lurks on the shelves of the fridges and in the cellar below, The Euston Tap is a fine pub. There are eight rotating cask ales, 20 keg beers and over 100 bottled beers. Forget about the wacky and disregard affiliated breweries, The Euston Tap is simply about delivering the best in craft to London. Try: Rogue Dead Guy Ale.
The Parson’s Green stalwart offers craft to the West of London by the fridge load. The White Horse is a convivial kind of place that just so happens to be one of the most highly regarded beer pubs in the UK. Try: Westmalle Tripel.
With three locations in London and all of them dedicated to storing and serving beer and ale in the correct way, each Draft House pub is a must for aficionados out there. There are over fifteen draught beers on tap and a mammoth collection of bottles from Europe, the Americas and the Southern Hemisphere in each location. Try: The Moosehead Pale Ale.
When it comes to grand venues, they don’t come much more regal than the Royal Naval College in Greenwich. The microbrewery on site delivers fresh brews and there is a carefully curated list of classic craft winners to go with them. Just a beer bottle’s throw from the Cutty Sark (don’t actually throw any bottles, that’s dangerous) it’s like a day out – with craft beer. Try: Meantime Helles.
The Camden Town Brewery has added a bar to their slick operation and not just that – Big Apple Hot Dogs too! Anybody with a penchant for pork in buns and craft beer will find a kind of paradise at 55 Wilkin Street Mews. Try: Camden Hells Lager.
Established in 2011, the London Fields Brewery is one of the city’s youngest microbreweries. This may not be a bar per se, but watch out for their Saturday events – often weekly - for the chance to sample their newest brews. Try: Love Not War (first brewed when barricaded in during the 2011 riots!)