Dalston Drafts and Stokey Sippin’: A Guide

Oh Dalston. It’s loved, it’s hated. The Dalston drag from Junction station running north for half a mile has undergone transformations befitting a participant on Queer Eye. Some bemoan change, some bemoan what came before, and some bemoan what came before the before.

As a craft beer destination it has been sorely lacking for its entire existence – until now. In the past two years, two delightful breweries and one craft beer bar have arrived on the high street to consolidate its gentrification while at least rubber stamping its priority for independent businesses.

Stoke Newington, about 10 minutes north on foot, is the bourgeois bohemian paradise that has passers-by stopping outside every Estate Agent, looking longingly at the listings as if they could afford one. No breweries here, but three lovely establishments you can enjoy.

So, let us explore – and by the way, there’s also a Brewdog bar which you can ignore unless desperate.

40FT Brewery & Taproom
Situated down a side street right opposite Dalston Kingsland station, 40FT is a bunch of shipping containers in a courtyard, so yes, you’re at the right place.
Good For: Food; Outdoor Space
Things to note: Booking is helpful if you want to sit indoors and eat; otherwise, catch some sun in the plentiful communal seating in the courtyard. They opened a restaurant (April 2022) which is in the same space. It’s really, really good.
Beer: A nice array of pale ales, lagers and stouts, with something for everyone without pushing the ship out too much, despite the containers. The occasional unusual beer surfaces – ask at the booth for anything special!
Vibez: Buzzy courtyard with potential for socialising on communal tables. Gets pretty hoppin’ on Thurs-Sat evenings!
Prices: Very reasonable given Dalston is now, more often than not, not very reasonable.
Warmth: Lovely staff who know their stuff and will have a chitchat about the beers.

German Kraft Dalston
This is pretty much the exact opposite of 40ft in nearly every way, other than the fact they’re both really good. Read on.
Good For: Food; Specialty beer; Feeling like you’re on holiday.
Things to note: The brewery is literally inside a hotel, so don’t get confused when you enter and they ask you if you’re checking in. The food here is extraordinary as it is a LeBab outpost. If you have friends who “don’t like beer”, bring them for the food and let them be converted by a fresh pint direct from the tanks.
Beer: As the name suggests, this is a German beer haven. It is the only brewery in London which brews beer according to the German Beer Purity Laws and you can tell; it’s clean, high quality stuff. The brewery is downstairs so what you’re getting has travelled a very short distance indeed. Expect classic German styles along with a couple of IPAs just in case.
Vibez: As mentioned, there is a lot going on in here. Hotel, restaurant, brewery, all with a suave, modern and yes, gentrified feel. The brewery itself is on two levels with the space upstairs cool, calm and edgy; the space downstairs is delightful and often hosts events. We recommend checking what’s going on downstairs, and if it isn’t much, sitting upstairs – the food and drink are exactly the same.
Prices: So it’s literally housed in a cool hotel, meaning it isn’t the cheapest, but it is also not as expensive as it looks.
Warmth: Staff here are really friendly, knowledgeable and very focused on making sure everyone there is enjoying themselves.

Red Hand
Just up the road is Red Hand, a craft beer bar with a vibe pulled straight out of NYC.
Good For: Huge beer selection; Space.
Things to note: Seating is at a premium here, though there is loads of space to stand and sip. Food selection is minimal but you should really have eaten at German Kraft anyway.
Beer: You won’t go lacking here – there is something for everyone, including some fun German lager imports that can be hard to find elsewhere (if that’s your thing/you cba to go to Germany).
Vibez: It has a bit of Dalston bourgeouis-edge mixed in with a dark, more moody Brooklyn aesthetic. Definitely a place that gets sociable, especially given the aforementioned standing room situation.
Prices: Dalston hasn’t been the cheapest for a while so you’ll pay “market price” for a lot here.
Warmth: Staff know their stuff, the seats at the bar enable conversation on less busy nights too.

Now head the 10 minute walk up to Stoke Newington (or if you’re doing this in reverse, now head down to Dalston!)

The Jolly Butcher’s
A traditional-looking outside opens up into a colourful, contemporary inside (pictured in the header image). In you come.
Good For: Food Pairings; Seating; Eclectic Beer Selection
Things To Note: Probably one of the only pubs in the area you don’t need to book on a Sunday afternoon. Friday and Saturday get busyyy.
Beer: There is all sorts here, from Belgian favourites like Kriek Boon to local pale ales from Orbit and even Guinness if any of your friends are real purists. Great to bring those who are looking for a gateway into craft – start them with the dark Irish stuff and move on to things that they’ve not heard of.
Vibez: Laid back and easily suitable for a date or a group of friends.
Prices: You’re in Stoke Newington, so that is a factor, though it’s not outrageous.
Warmth: They’ll advise you and give you a taste or two, always helpful with such a diverse beer list.

The Axe
Right around the corner from The Jolly Butcher’s, The Axe doesn’t have a sign outside but it is where it says it is. Just try any door and you should be good.
Good For: Sunday Roast; Beer Garden; Traditional Feel; Family Friendly.
Things To Note: This place gets very busy so ensure you book ahead. Both indoors and outdoors are lovely, though we marginally prefer the beer garden if it isn’t pouring.
Beer: Large selection across plenty of different styles and ABVs, spanning European stuff to some of London’s finest craft with certain beers hitting the 10% mark. Imperial Stout with your Sunday Roast? Yes please/you may never move again.
Vibez: Very much a traditional, Sunday family day out type of pub, the beer selection is almost a surprise. Dogs and kids abound in a multi-generational hodge-podge that is just soooo Stokey.
Prices: Based on all the above, you won’t be too surprised to hear that it is the priciest place in this guide. Top tip – choose a beer you won’t find anywhere else at a slightly cheaper price.
Warmth: Again, due to all the above, it has a more gastro-pub feel so not somewhere you’re propped up at the bar talking beer. But that’s not what you’re here for.

Bonus Stop: Mother Kelly’s – this is now closed (Sept 2022)
We’ve written about Mother Kelly’s before, we really like their venues, and this outpost is small but well-formed.
Good For: Takeaway beer to walk around Stokey with.
Things To Note: There are a couple of seats crammed around a barrel, but this is 90% a shop for takeaways.

Share and Enjoy!

Know another great independent brewery or dedicated craft beer location in or close to Dalston or Stoke Newington? Let us know and we’ll go there – if it fits the bill, we’ll add it here!