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May – the month with not one but two long weekends – has arrived. You might be tempted to pack your weekend holdall and flee the city, but don’t be too hasty. There’s so much going on across London that staycationing might just be worth your while. With the extended breaks, it’s the perfect opportunity to try something new like, say, a brewery you haven’t been to yet.
We can’t guarantee that the weather will play ball, but at least the beer will be good.
Fierce Beer at Mason & Company
Hailing from Aberdeen, Fierce Beer is teaming up with Hackney Wick’s Mason & Company for a meet-the-brewer and tap-takeover event. Fierce Beer has only been around a year, but it’s already pushing boundaries and was crowned Best New Scottish Brewery in 2017 by RateBeer.com. For those who want to delve right in, there are £10 tickets for a ‘tutored tasting’ with their head brewer on the night – but if you’re just there for the beer, head straight down from the office and work through the taps. Mason & Company, 25 East Bay Lane, Here East, Hackney Wick, E20 3BS. May 4, tasting begins at 6pm and entry is free from 7pm-11pm.
Durrty DIPAs with Boozers without Borders
For this month’s wild card event, the Boozers without Borders team is hosting a charity night filled with those juicy, dank double IPAs that everyone raves about. You’ll be drinking through an impressive collection from ten breweries to raise money for Help Refugees, including some corkers from Verdant Brewing and Siren Craft Brew. For a mere £32.50 a ticket, attendees will be offered their fill of these bold, boozy beers and will be educated along the way. Think of it as a tap takeover for philanthropists. The Rose & Crown, Kentish Town, 71-73 Torriano Avenue, NW5 2SG. May 10, 7pm-11pm. Tickets can be purchased here.
Kew Brewery at The Dodo Micropub
Hanwell’s Dodo Micropub welcomes Kew Brewery for a tap takeover in west London, for the launch of a collaboration beer with Weird Beard Brew Co, Fruitbat, and to celebrate the brewery’s second birthday. As you’ve probably surmised, Kew Brewery is inspired by Kew Gardens and promotes sustainability and English ingredients – everything is sourced locally and the brewery is known for adding botanicals to its flavoursome range. Everyone loves nature and birthday parties, so stop by to help blow out a few candles (and drink beer, of course). The Dodo Micropub, 52 Boston Road, Hanwell, W7 3TR. May 9, 7pm-10pm.
Brooklyn Beer Mansion
A tap takeover that spans an entire venue, New York’s Brooklyn Brewery is once again bringing its Beer Mansion to Dalston as part of its global Brewery Mash tour. Located at MC Motors, an entire event space will be transformed into a beer-centric destination, where Brooklyn will flow freely alongside some guest pours. Expect tasty snacks, interactive art, live music and DJs and a range of their beers. Ticketholders will get free reign of the space and as much to drink that they can handle, so don’t miss out on Brooklyn’s American hospitality. M.C. Motors, 28 Miller’s Avenue, Dalston, E8 2DS. May 12 and May 13, 5pm-11pm. Tickets are £30 + booking fee here.
Partizan and Redemption Dual Tap Takeover at Craft Beer Co Clerkenwell
This is guaranteed to be a popular event, so get it in the diary now. Partizan and Redemption, two respected London breweries, have collaborated on a beer and will be hosting an evening event to launch the fruits of their labour, showcase their ranges and give away swag. The beer that unified these breweries is a pale ale brewed with green tea, lemon, orange and lime zest. Sounds like summer in a glass – and infinitely better than your mum’s iced tea. Representatives from both breweries will be there throughout the day to partake in the party too. Craft Beer Co, 82 Leather Lane, Clerkenwell, EC1N 7TR. May 20, 12pm-12am. Email clerkenwell@thecraftbeerco.com for more info.
Can’t make any of the above? Don’t worry, we’ve got a list of the best London breweries (and taprooms).