The capital’s biggest week of beer kicks off tonight as London Beer City returns for its fourth year.
This evening’s free-entry opening party at Mason and Company, in Hackney Wick, fires the starting gun on ten days of beer (August 3-13) that takes in the London Craft Beer Festival (August 4-6) and the 40th anniversary of the Great British Beer Festival. More than 100 events in pubs, bars, restaurants and more are planned.
Beer aficionados will flock to New York brewery Other Half’s tap takeover at The Axe on Sunday, while gluttons won’t want to miss Brew By Numbers’ dinner at Hawksmoor, Spitalfields, on Wednesday.
Those with a taste for adventure should seek out one of London Beer City’s embassies, representing Australia, New Zealand, the USA, Germany, Scandinavia and a host of British regions too: Kent and Sussex, Yorkshire and the West Country.
History buffs should join Des De Moor for a stroll around town on Sunday, August 13, while non-drinkers can check out the growing quality of non-alcoholic beers at Club Soda’s after-party the same day.
There are plenty of events that are just old-fashioned fun, too: Battle of the Beer Shops pitches nine unique beers against each other, while Square Root and Howling Hops are throwing a party to celebrate their collaboration radler.
Then there’s the official closing party at The Five Points Brewing Company’s yard on Mare Street, where beers from 16 of London’s best breweries will be pouring alongside great food and music.
London Beer City’s two official beers — representing South and North London — will be unveiled tonight before taking over bars across town for the duration of the festival. Drinkers will be able to choose their favourites, finally settling the old South v North debate once and for all (!).
London Beer City founder, Will Hawkes, said: “This year’s London Beer City has a hugely diverse line-up. It reflects the city’s creativity and complexity, and we’re hoping that as many people as possible will get involved.”
