The Hackney Wick Canal Crew: A Guide

Hackney Wick is perhaps the very first place you might assume some independent breweries live, so this guide will come as no surprise. Three top notch London breweries and one dedicated independent craft pub, all within a five minute walk of each other, make this a no brainer. Just don’t fall into the canal.

Crate Brewery
The OG of the neighbourhood, Crate has the courtside tickets when it comes to canalside views.
Good for: Gazing at the canal; Gorging on exceptionally good pizza; Gazing at the canal a little more.
Things To Note: If you can’t snag a golden ticket on the outside, the indoor space is a cavernous warehouse conversion that easily suffices. See also: if it rains.
Beer: Solid offerings across all the major styles without any being “write home about it” level, the beer is a tasty complement to the pizza, the view and the vibe.
Vibez: Indeed, this is the heart of canalside life in East London and the eclectic, energetic crowd are a big reason to hang out here.
Prices: Hackney Wick in 2021 is quite different to Hackney Wick in 2011 so you’ll be paying more than you were, but it won’t break the bank.
Warmth: More of a sophisticated setup than a rustic old time brewery these days, you won’t be perched on the bar talking shop but you will be able to chat to pretty much any of the other groups hanging out there.

Howling Hops
Yep, this is the one you’ve seen in all the pubs. With their unmistakable pattern branding and city-wide distribution, it’s a treat to drink in direct from the source. Literally – this is a direct-from-tank bar, so it’s as fresh as it can possibly be.
Good For: Drinking HH beer at cost price; Large groups of friends.
Things To Note: Queens Yard is the place to be in Hackney Wick if you’re not intending to be on the water. The taproom here spans a large outdoor corner of the courtyard, plus has a buzzy indoors, meaning a table is fairly easy to find. It also boasts a few large tables for that once mythical concept of “a party bigger than six”.
Beer: As mentioned, you’ve probably seen a few of their brews in shops around the city. The taproom plays all the hits and boasts some deep cuts too, with 10-12 options on the go at any one time. You can’t go wrong (and if you do, then just go back to the bar and get a different one).
Vibez: Similarly to Crate, there is an energised East London crowd here that are sociable and laid back. Regardless of where you’re sitting, there’ll be some decent people watching to go with your 1/2 pint of experimental batch #135.
Prices: Cheaper than you’ll find their beer anywhere else, so enjoy.
Warmth: It’s a big place but those pouring the beer are chatty, well-informed and very happy to pour tasters of multiple styles until you choose the first one you tried. I approve.

Old Street Brewery Main Taproom – sadly, Old Street closed in mid-2024.
As featured in the Bethnal Green Boozin’ guide, Old Street is a rapidly expanding operation that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Their production has in fact shifted to this venue, so this is even fresher than the stuff a couple of postcodes away.
Good For: Bustling crowd; Fresh, experimental tastes.
Things To Note: This is just across the courtyard from Howling Hops so feel free to stagger between them at will.
Beer: A couple of staples and a load of experimental, unusual brews means that one might be delicious, one less delicious, then one will be delicious again. I’ll take those averages.
Vibez: On a Friday or Saturday night this place is heaving and full of energy. Otherwise, a calm relaxed sit down for a Saturday afternoon tipple in the courtyard.
Prices: Very reasonable, even for their higher ABV beers.
Warmth: This lot are friendly, no doubt about it. Patient and happy to talk you through their various beers.

Beer Merchant’s Tap
Our final stop is no brewery but rather an extraordinarily huge and well-stocked craft beer pub tucked around the back of the canal on a side street. A spectacular pink Delirium elephant welcomes you to the beer garden and the rest develops from there.
Good For: Massive eclectic beer selection on tap; Even more massive eclectic beer selection in the fridges; Even even more massive pink elephant.
Things To Note: Loosely German themed, the bar has some pretty tasty bites too so this would be my choice for food if you’re hungry after Crate pizza or haven’t indulged in that.
Beer: “Something for everyone” is a phrase banded around a lot. In this case, it is as accurate as it could possibly be.
Vibez: Lively outdoors, lively indoors, the indoor space is in fact enormous, with two large rooms giving a beer hall style feel but with a bit more decorum. This is England, after all.
Prices: Pricier than the breweries, as expected – the higher the alcohol, the more expensive the beer, generally.
Warmth: Friendly staff though this is a bar not a brewery, so the level is in tune with that.

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Know another great independent brewery or dedicated craft beer location in Hackney Wick? Let me know – I’ll go there and if it fits the bill I’ll add it here!