This month’s beer festivals are more modestly-sized than August’s blockbusters, but there are still plenty of good beer-drinking opportunities. Here are some of the best:
10 September: Beer By The River
Returning for its fourth year, the one-day Beer By The River festival has taken the bold step of re-locating to a new venue, Tooting Bec Common, with no obvious proximity to any river. Still, it’s unlikely that festival-goers will mourn the absence of the Wandle (which runs close to the festival’s previous venue in Morden Hall Park); instead they’ll most likely be focusing on the 60 different beers (including the full range from festival organisers Sambrooks), a promising array of food stalls, and the busy schedule of live music. The festivities take place from 12pm until 10pm this Saturday; tickets cost £8 in advance (or £10 on the door).
15-16 September: Wandle Beer Festival
Despite being abandoned by the Beer By The River festival, the River Wandle will still enjoy some beery company this month, thanks to South West London CAMRA’s first Wandle Beer Festival. The actual venue, Tooting & Mitcham United FC, does not actually have a view of the river, but it’s nearby. For an entrance fee of £10, ale-heads will receive a festival programme, a refundable tasting glass, and £4 (or £5 for CAMRA members) of tokens to spend on any of the 60 real ales or 15 ciders and perries on offer.
29 September - 2 October: Chertsey Beer Festival
Chertsey’s Thyme at the Tavern pub, voted North Surrey Pub of the Year a couple of times by CAMRA, will be hosting its sixth Chertsey Beer Festival over the last weekend of the month. 22 real ales from around the UK, four ciders, home-made food and live music are all promised. While the pub’s location might be stretching the boundaries of what we consider to be London, it’s still just about within the M25, so we reckon it’s fair game.
Also…
- The next instalment of the Brick Lane Beer Festival will take place 9 September from 3pm. Given that the venue is on Clerkenwell’s Exmouth Market, the event is going by the name Exmouth Market Beer Festival. Confused? Don’t be — just turn up and get involved with some beers from London breweries and smokey food from BearBQ.
- Aldgate’s Dispensary pub will be holding its awkwardly-named Our Favourite Beer Festival from 16-17 September, promising beers from more than 25 breweries.
- Hop Back Brewery’s only London pub, the Sultan in South Wimbledon, will be holding a beer festival from 23-25 September. 16 real ales, six ciders, barbecued food and live music are promised.
If you’re a lover of beer or pubs, check out our ever-expanding database of the best pubs in London.
