London's flagship in-depth beer discovery walking tour based on the famous Bermondsey Beer Mile, running in the historic brewing heartlands of London since 2014. You will visit a selection of the best local microbreweries on a walking tour of around four hours in total. Most tours are led by expert guide, beer writer and sommelier Des de Moor, author of London's Best Beer, Pubs and Bars.

In partnership with UK Brewery Tours.

Duration: 4-4.5 hours

Group Size: 12 max approx

Meeting Point: Southwark Brewery, 46 Druid Street, London SE1 2EZ

Dates and times: Most Saturdays at 12 midday. Check availability to see individual dates.

Language: English

Highlights

• Discover Bermondsey’s craft beer scene and brewing history.
• Go behind the scenes with an expert guide to talk you through the brewing process.
• Enjoy a tutored tasting led by an experienced beer sommelier and judge.
• Visit four breweries and taprooms with tastings at all stops.

Full description

Discover some of the best Bermondsey breweries on this tour in London. Hear about the history of brewing in the area and the modern day ‘craft beer’ boom kicked off by the Kernel Brewery in 2009.

You’ll enjoy a walking tour along the Bermondsey "Beer Mile", calling in at four breweries or taprooms. Overall it's an easy walk of no more than 1.6 miles or 2.5 km.

Along the way you'll taste a range of different beers in the atmospheric surrounds of characteristic railway arch taprooms. And we'll take you behind the scenes to discover what goes into making great beer, in the company of your expert guide and sometimes brewery staff too.

There are now so many breweries and beer venues along this short stretch of railway we can't hope to visit them all. The places we visit may vary according to availability, but we always aim to offer a varied experience from traditional cask beer to cutting edge contemporary craft beer, and include both smaller and larger operators, all of them independent businesses with strong links to the local community.

Currently the tour normally includes a brewery visit at Southwark Brewery, a mini-tutored tasting at the Kernel, a look at the fascinating brew-your-own Mash Paddle and a fourth visit to a brewery or taproom. Please note that stops can change due to external factors such as special events taking place.

Ticket price includes:

• Expert guiding including beer recommendations
• Your beer tastings

What to bring

• Your ticket, printed or on a phone.
• Comfortable shoes.
• Dress appropriate for the weather.
• A sandwich or snack if you need to eat along the way, as a planned meal break isn't included.
• Passport or photo ID if you look under 26.

You must be 18 or over to join this tour.

Sorry, but we can't accept under-18s in any circumstances and reserve the right to ask for proof of age.

Know before you go

• This is a tasting and discovery tour aimed at people who want to learn a little more about London brewing and discover new beers in convivial company.
• All venues on the tour have step-free access and several have accessible toilets, though there are occasional kerbs along our route.
• At least one tasting at each stop, depending on beers available on the day.
• There is no scheduled lunch break: please eat beforehand or bring something to eat along the way.
• Well-behaved dogs are welcome in all the taprooms we visit but not "behind the scenes" in the brewhouses for hygiene reasons, so if you bring a dog, you will likely miss out on substantial sections of the tour as you will need to look after your dog in the taproom when the other guests visit the brewhouse.
• The start at Southwark Brewery is 0.5 miles, 0.8 km, 10-15 minutes walk, from London Bridge station: follow St Thomas Street and Druid Street.
• We aim to finish by 16:00 hrs 4 pm: please allow at least half an hour to finish your drinks if planning a later appointment.
• The end point varies but is always close to bus stops and stations. You'll receive an email confirming details a few days prior to your tour

your host

• Tours are hosted by renowned beer writer and expert, Accredited Beer Sommelier and international beer judge Des de Moor. Des has been writing about beer professionally since 2002, and is the author of award-winning guidebook London's Best Beer, Pubs and Bars, which has appeared in three editions since 2011, so is particularly knowledgeable about the London scene, having followed most of the breweries visited since their inception. He's also the author of Cask: The real story of Britain's unique beer culture 2023 and a regular contributor to BEER and other publications and websites. He's been leading Bermondsey tours since 2017. 
• On the rare occasion when Des is unavailable, he'll deputise your tour to an equally expert and experienced guide.