London Beer Week: Here are the best events happening in the capital
Attention beer lovers: your chance to quaff some of the capital’s finest alcoholic beverages has come round again – yes, London Beer Week (LBW) is here.
Now in its third year, the city-wide celebration, which takes place until 19 March, will see all things beer, lager, ale and cider enjoyed (more than usual) at the Oval Space and in bars and breweries across the capital.
Want to know more? Here are the pop-ups, parties and breweries you need to visit during the festival.
Pop Ups:
Some of the biggest names in the beer business are involved in what organisers have called The Beer Edit – the market at the Oval space, which is filled to the brim with beer-related activities.
If you have things to get off your chest, look out for the beer confessional booth which could earn you a free beer, and a micro restaurant in which guests will be taken on a quirky, gastronomic journey through beer and food matching.
A limited edition beer created by Sharp's Brewery; made with botanicals normally found in gin and dubbed “Botanicale” (see what they did there?) will be sold exclusively.
Also, headlining the festival this year is Guinness Open Gate Brewery, which will have its latest beers on offer, many of which are not yet available in the UK.
Entry: From £10 per session, includes a complimentary beer on arrival.
You’ll also get the chance to sample both traditional and modern Czech beer at the Spirit of Prague beer hall at the Old Truman Brewery in Shoreditch. Hosts Staropramen and Pravha are offering the first 100 visitors 70p pints, as long as the say the special code word, “Podoha”, on entry. No, we don’t know how to pronounce it either.
Parties:
St. Patrick's Day party – 17 March
Guinness is hosting a party with a difference – the party will take place at The Pickle Factory from 8pm–1am, and promises live music food and perfectly poured pints of the Black Stuff.
Entry: £15, includes a free pint of Guinness.
Keg Party Project – 18 March
Celebrate the close of LBW in true American style, The Pickle Factory will be transformed into the ultimate keg party, complete with classic American games from 8pm–1am.
Entry: £10, includes a free can of Pabst Blue Ribbon.
Tours:
Experience real microbrewery first-hand at the Courage SE1 Project walking tours. See where limited edition cask ales are created and sample new beers, or discover London's homegrown brewing talent as you sip on brews at the Rickshaw Beer Tours.
Pairings:
Outlaw's at the Capital – 14 March
Michelin-starred Outlaw's at The Capital has teamed up with Sharp's Brewery to offer an exclusive five course dinner specially created for beer novices and connoisseurs alike, offering you the chance to experience beer with Michelin-starred seafood.
Tickets: £60, to be booked in advance.
Estrella Galicia Spanish Feast – 15 March
This independent Spanish craft brewery has teamed up with Tapas Revolution bar to offer a feast style dinner party for beer fans (and those who just fancy a night out). Diners will be introduced to each dish with pointers on how to pair food with beer but in the end, you decide which you think works best.
Tickets: £25