London Beer Week returns for a second year, 22-28 February, and will once again be taking over The Old Truman Brewery – the iconic beer-soaked landmark in Shoreditch. The estate will host the Sharp’s Brewery London Beer Week Hub, where you can collect your wristband and free bar guide before heading on to visit an array of other pop-up bars in the area, curated to showcase the best of the festival and the beers at the heart of it.
Your key to the city, a £10 wristband also gets you access to the self-guided Beer Tours, that’s £3 speciality beers and £5 boilermakers (AKA a beer and a shot) in more than 100 of the best beer bars and breweries in London all week long. And as if that’s not enough, Fuller’s Brewery will be putting their own twist on the Beer Tours, showcasing a beer flight in each of their participating venues – that’s three beers for £3, including two brand new brews.
Beyond the pop-ups and Beer Tours there’s a full schedule of ticketed events to get involved in, with a stellar line up of varied events aimed at everyone – from beer lovers to the uninitiated.
But, as always, there’s more to a London Beer Week than just beer. Visitors can enjoy themed foodie events, beer tutored tastings and master classes, supper clubs, Hip Hop pop ups, after parties and film screenings.
One to watch is The Five Points Brewing Co.’s Original Gravity – The Film, which can boast of being the first documentary on London’s thriving brewing scene. They guys and galls from Five Points will be hosting the 20-minute short in their new warehouse on Mare Street, with plenty of opportunities to try the frothy stuff for yourself at the same time.
Original Gravity – described as “an important film, brilliantly executed” – is the story of beer in London from the rise of the microbreweries over the last few years to whether it’s sustainable at its current rate and finishing with a few hints as to what the future might hold.
For the full event schedule, visit londonbeerweek.com/events. Wristbands are available to pre-purchase through the website.