London Fields Fun: A Guide
The temptation at London Fields is to get a few tinnies from the off license and sit on the grass, sipping away while the sun beats down and your friends weigh up whether playing music on a speaker is antisocial or not (it is). The issue with this is simply that we only get about 10 days of sunshine per year, and even then it has probably just rained, making the ground nice and soggy. But no fear: London Fields is awash with craft breweries, just as it is with wet grass.
Featuring three breweries, one outpost and a craft-focused pub, you can’t go wrong, unless you wander into London Fields Brewery itself that is. Why? Although very pleasant, it is not independent – just as neighbourhood-name-buddies Camden and Brixton were bought out by ABinBev and Heineken respectively, London Fields is now owned by a small Danish company called Carlsberg.
Edit 2024: London Fields Brewery is NO MORE.
This can be done in any order as they are all in a 5-10 minute radius, lucky you.
The Five Points Brewery
Starting with the biggest and most established of the offerings here, Five Points has been on the scene for quite some time and their new, state of the art brewery is something to behold.
Good For: Groups; Food; Outdoor Space.
Things to note: Almost the whole thing is currently outside, though they are still working on certain portions. Luckily, a large amount of the space is covered, which is very very important. There are also food popups to soak up the drinks.
Beer: A small but solid selection with pretty much one of every type of beer that you’ll have heard of. The quality is high, their cool honeycomb glasses help you feel like what you’re drinking is extra authentic and you can get beers in a variety of sizes.
Vibez: The big outdoor space under the arches is always nice and buzzing without being overwhelmingly rammed; it feels spacious though you should probably book if you’re heading there on a Friday or Saturday evening.
Prices: Very reasonable, especially for certain beers.
Warmth: The set up is large meaning that although servers are friendly and knowledgeable about beer, they will have other things to do, and you’re not posting up at the brewery bar chatting to the brewer.
Three Sods Brewery – sadly, Three Sods closed in Autumn 2022.
Heading up the road, cut in and walk along the east side of the London Fields themselves until you get to railway arches. You know what that means. Three Sods sits nicely nestled in one.
Good For: Cosy lil archway; lower alcohol beers in some interesting styles.
Things to note: This is a very small spot but they’ll find you space to chill and have a pint so don’t stress.
Beer: Small batch ale, much of it in cask, gives an old school feel. As mentioned, almost all of it is 5% and under so you’ll be able to have a few without too much worry on an adventure in the area.
Vibez: Low key, laid back, chilled out. Enough synonyms for you?
Prices: Very reasonable given location and the lower alcohol content for beers that aren’t always the hype favourites but are great nonetheless.
Warmth: Very – locals abound in here, as do a team passionate about their beer.
Forest Road Brewing Co
Down towards Broadway Market, right next to Netil House, you’ll find Forest Road. A rustic little beer garden gives way to a very edgy interior – the choice is yours (unless it’s raining).
Good For: Trying different beer styles; feeling cosy inside; feeling sunny outside.
Things to note: Forest Road brews in various locations so while this is very much an independent craft setup, the beer isn’t made on site. You probably don’t care.
Beer: A good range of styles, similar to Five Points above, means that everyone’s tastes will be satisfied. They do a very solid flight, so go for that and taste the goods.
Vibez: In summer the beer garden is buzzing; in winter the indoor space is cosy and comfortable. Who knows what happens in spring and autumn. Go and tell us.
Prices: Reasonable as everywhere else around here, and their beer flight makes for a good option if you want to taste everything without buying five pints.
Warmth: Friendly staff and owners often on site means there is a familiar feel to the place.
The Dove
Right in the middle of Broadway Market, you would be forgiven for missing this out as a tourist trap of some sort. Don’t miss out.
Good For: Belgian beer. Lots of it.
Things to note: The place does excellent food and an exquisite beer selection of Belgian and other continental European classics, so get in there and have a break from all the market stalls.
Beer: There is literally a Delirium pink elephant outside the pub. Get the Belgian brews you’ve been craving.
Vibez: A fun pub with all sorts of Broadway Market visitors in there. Not too raucous, not too rowdy, mostly table service makes for a civil but boozy crowd.
Prices: The beer is mostly imported so it isn’t the same as a locally brewed pint of cask porter from Five Points, but for European brews both on tap and in bottle, this basically can’t be beaten anywhere else in London.
Warmth: Great people manage this pub and they will advise you on the beers to get. We approve.
Saint Monday
From the Grace Land group that dominates the London indie beer pub scene, the inevitable shift into their own beer is going well.
Good For: Heavy metal lovers; hoppy beer lovers.
Things to note: It really does play a lot of heavy metal, which we don’t hate, but you might.
Beer: Their own 3-4 beers on tap are core styles to be expected, along with some of London’s best, akin to their pubs.
Vibez: Dark, a bit moody but also pretty spacious, with a nice outdoor space if it happens to be sunny.
Prices: Their own beers are very reasonable, the guest beers as expected a little pricier.
Warmth: The staff there are really friendly and give you a taster of their own beers without hesitation.
Share and Enjoy!
Know another great independent brewery or dedicated craft beer location near London Fields? Let me know – I’ll go there and if it fits the bill I’ll add it here!