Ales and Pubs: Sipping the History of British Beer

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 South Bank London area. Led by a trained food anthropologist with expertise 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.

Our walk, led by a food anthropologist and beer expert, travels through the London's South Bend, stopping in at a select group of breweries, pubs and beer bars like the Crown and Shuttle and Brewdog, allowing us to become Londoners for a few hours. The exact stops and presentation will vary depending on the docent and group; we may visit what was once the largest brewery in the country, known today as Truman, Hanbury, and Buxton, and discuss the history of brewing in London. Here we can also learn about the history of the South Bank of London more generally, and how it has changed over time, noting how the culinary and cultural landscape has shifted with the arrival of new immigrants and social groups.

For a tour of another great neighborhood of London, try our London East End Tour.

We will discuss the reemergence of brewing, the recent craft beer movement, and the ways in which brewers are experimenting with old recipes to reinvent, redefine, and recreate traditional beer styles. We may also stop in one of London's top gastropubs. Here we'll discuss the pairing of beer and cheese, while sampling some traditional British cheeses along with other specialties.

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.

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

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

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, and 24 hour phone number for any last minute issues.

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

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

This walk covers less than 1 mile overall. There are plenty of opportunities to sit, and use the bathroom if needed. One of the bars we visit only has a bathroom on second floor, which requires walking up a flight of stairs. The other bars have ground floor bathrooms.