Craft beer is on the rise globally. In the UK there are hundreds of new watering holes opening up serving craft beer to the masses. All supermarkets in the UK are selling craft beer and the list of drinks available is growing by the day.
The rise has improved the variety of beer and how beer is consumed. It is trying to help move the UK away from the binge culture of beer and towards the appreciation of beer tasting which means that drinkers are taking in the flavours, the smells and ultimately the taste. This move for craft drinkers is trying to remove the stigma and move it closer to that of people who are seen as “posh” when they show an appreciation for wine or whiskey.
The UK has a fine history of brewing fantastic ales in the country, so creating beer has never been hard. Craft beer takes inspiration from the traditional ale companies who have many different beers that are not lager. Drinkers of craft ale can forget the history that real ale has on craft ale but it played a vital role in brewers wanting to create and adapt beer to create something new.
So, with so many breweries in this country creating inspiration, which UK craft beer breweries stand out and are some of the best in business?
1. Brewdog, Aberdeenshire
One of, if not, the biggest names in the craft beer world. They have set the benchmark for many breweries in the craft beer scene. They are one of the most recognisable names in the beer world and have over 100 bars worldwide.
The best beers that Brewdog offer include Lost Lager, Dead Pony Club and Punk IPA.
2. Northern Monk, Leeds
The company based in Yorkshire states it is the heart of the revolution regarding beer and their statement is quite true. As the name suggests it pays homage to the monasteries in the area that had been brewing alcohol for many generations before now. They are on a quest to provide the best beer they can.
Stand-out beers include Faith, Eternal and Striding Edge.
3. Cloudwater, Manchester
The Manchester beer scene is one of the best in the country and one of the breweries is called Cloudwater. The independent company were able to resist a takeover from the giants Brewdog, they must be trading with forex websites on the side, and they have not been put off at all as they continue to create beer that is changing the craft beer world.
In many bars across the country, you will find their DDH, Pale Ale and Light Lager.
4. Beavertown, London
Quite possibly the boldest and coolest branding out there. The London company have created some of the most vibrant-looking beer logos but also some of the best-tasting beers in the craft beer scene. They have a wide range of beers that are able to attract any type of beer drinker to their brewery.
With superb beers such as Gamma Ray, Neck Oil and Lupuloid available Beavertown should be on your list to try. Their brew room opposite the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is a real craft beer lovers’ haven.
5. Shindigger, Manchester
Manchester again and this time it is Shindigger. A real solid brewery that is able to provide very fruity beers and some fantastic tasting beers in the sunshine. The brewery also have a fantastic delivery system where you will get beers within 3 hours after ordering if you live in Manchester.
Top beers include Mango Unchained, Session IPA and Everything’s Peachy. Perfect for a summer’s day.
6. Siren, Wokingham
A family-owned brewery that has come on leaps and bounds producing some of the best beers that are on offer in the country. The brewery has the ability to boast the best beer in the UK and some fantastic-looking cans that stand out on the shelves at the shops.
The best beers include Flex, Yu Lu and Soundwave.
7. Camden Town Brewery, London
One of the biggest names in the game challenging Brewdog for the top spot of the commercial craft brewery. Camden Town Brewery attracts many people who may not usually drink craft ale but their beer is no fuss, tasty and refreshing.
Standout beers have to be their Pale, IPA and Hells which are also their most popular across bars and shops.
8. Brew York, York
Easily one of the most up-and-coming breweries in Yorkshire. With their funky designed and awesome named beers, they are perfect to enjoy with friends. Set up in 2016 by two people that met on a stag do they will be thankful that they met each other.
So crack open a Juice Forsyth, Haze of Thunder and Calmer Chameleon.
