The grand-daddy of London’s craft beer movement. Alastair Hook decided to set up his own brewery in 2000 out of frustration with the British beer industry and admiration for the way things were done in Germany and in the US. Since then he and his colleagues have created a cornucopia of different beers, but it’s the London lager and pale ale that can be drunk most easily around the city. The regular specials – and the excellent bottled IPA – are well worth seeking out. The brewery now boasts its own shop, on-site bar and tours can be booked on the website. It has been owned by Asahi since 2016.