Ales and Pubs: Sipping the History of British Beer

Get beyond the stereotypical associations, learn about the craft and sample the delights of this mainstay of British culture

(4.91)

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From $462 privately

Tour Details

About the Tour

Category: Cuisine, Your Perfect Trip..., Three Days in London
Duration: 3 hours
Location: London

Photos & Highlights

Taste beer in micro-breweries and local pubs
Led by food anthropologist and beer expert
Borough Market and Beer Brewery

Tour Description

Pubs and beer are a symbol of British society and tradition as much as tea and cakes and fish and chips. But beyond the stereotypes, do you know what lies behind the tradition of beer and pubs? This 3-hour London Beer and Brewery Tour offers a new perspective and appreciation of beer as we enjoy ample tastings at various pubs and breweries located in the Southwark/Borough area. Led by an expert in the beer and brewing industry, we’ll focus on the history of brewing in London, highlighting beer’s evolution from a dietary staple to the almost lost tradition of cask ales, to today’s renaissance of craft beer and brewing.

London Beer and Brewery Tour

Our walk, led by a food anthropologist or beer expert, travels through London's historic Borough and South Bank area, visiting pubs that hark back to the days when London was the brewing capital of the world. We visit the site of what was once the world's biggest brewery, discover the hidden history of the hop trade, and meet Jacob the dray horse among other highlights. Following our heritage walk, we'll discover the brewing present with a visit to a working brewery on the celebrated 'Bermondsey Mile' as well as some classic London pubs including the last remaining Southwark inn, dating from at least the 16th century. Along the way we'll sample some excellent cask beer, a unique British specialty, in the company of an expert beer taster and judge -- you may even get a chance to pull your own pint. The exact stops and presentation will vary depending on the guide and group and what's available on the day but will always include plenty for anyone with an interest in London's great brewing scene past and present.

Take Aways

Along the way, we will sample a range of British and local beers to experience the diversity of the country’s brewing industry. We will examine how all of these products fit into the British diet, along with other culinary traditions and philosophies. At the end of the walk, we will have gained an understanding of the significance of beer in British history, including its contribution to diet, its social status, and the decline and rebirth of the brewing industry in England.

Booking Instructions

Please note any allergies or intolerances in the Notes box when booking.

Food enthusiasts, we suggest you also take a look at our London Food Tour.

FAQ

Where do we meet? Where does it end?

Generally speaking, the walk begins and ends in the Shoreditch neighborhood. Your confirmation email will have the exact meeting point details along with a map.

What if it’s raining?

Tours operate rain or shine. There is some walking in between pubs, but the vast majority of this tour takes place indoors.

Can children join this tour?

The legal drinking age in the UK is 18. Under-18s are allowed on private bookings, but they can not drink.

Is this a walking intensive tour?

This walk covers around 2.5 miles. There are plenty of opportunities to sit and use the bathroom if needed. The bars we visit have ground-floor bathrooms.

Where You'll Start

Tour Experts

Des

Londoner Des is the award-winning author of the definitive guide to beer in the capital, The CAMRA Guide to London's Best Beer, Pubs and Bars. As well as contributing to many other books and publications, he's an Accredited Beer Sommelier, an international beer judge and a busy host of beer tours and tutored tastings with a particular passion for brewing heritage and history.

Doris

Doris is a food and wine afficionado who is so passionate about food that she spent a year learning French culinary skills at Le Cordon Bleu, while completing a 6-week internship in a bistro in Paris and in the only Scandinavian restaurant in Hong Kong before graduation. She is also an advance-level wine professional, with a Level 3 Award in Wine and Spirits from WSET London. Since 2014, Doris has been a columnist with the leading financial daily in her birthplace, Hong Kong Economic Journal, sharing her insights on food, wine, travel, and culture. Multiculturalism is a subject that continues to intrigue and captivate her, ever since her student days at the University of Chicago where she obtained a Master of Liberal Arts. A self-appointed global nomad, Doris has published several books on culture and local history, and contributed personal essays to English-language writing anthologies. Doris holds a CELTA (Certificate of English Language Teaching to Adults) of Cambridge University, UK and is a regular translator and transcriber for research companies and publishers in Australasia.

Tim

Tim is Wine Business Lecturer at Plumpton College in East Sussex, where his teaching also includes beer and spirits. He is a member of the Association of Wine Educators and a Wine and Spirit Education Trust certified educator with extensive experience hosting wine tastings for a wide variety of audiences. Equally happy with a pint of beer as with a glass of wine, he is a member of the Campaign for Real Ale and he has led many pub walks in London, Oxford, Cambridge and Brighton where he now lives. He has a particular interest in the social and cultural aspects of alcohol production and consumption.

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18 Reviews – (4.91)

Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.

I had a tremendous time. It was great walking with Des; really amazing having someone like him with so much knowledge and experience guiding!

Brad

May. 17, 2022

What an absolutely perfect way to spend an afternoon! Our docent, Des, was so knowledgeable on the topic (he's written the definitive guidebook: The CAMRA Guide to London's Best Beer, Pubs & Bars) and his enthusiasm so infectious that our tour just flew by. So much great conversation and insight! Highly, highly recommend this unique London tour. Thanks Des!

Thomas

Nov. 5, 2021

Will had great knowledge and was very thorough. Would have liked to visit more pubs to get the “feel” of the pub culture.

John

Sep. 13, 2019

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