10 top bars and pubs for craft beer

The opening of Hackney's London Fields microbrewery reflects a younger, cooler crowd choosing artisan beers over mass-market brands. Here's our pick of 10 great craft beer bars and pubs"We were just hoping that they wouldn't find out there was a brewery here," says Ian Burgess, co-founder of the London Fields microbrewery, which launched at the weekend.The tiny brewery (londonfieldsbrewery.co.uk), based in a Hackney warehouse, is just around the corner from where recent looting took place. But the team, who barricaded themselves in and continued brewing through the unrest, have now named a drink ? "Love, not war" ? in memory of the experience.Using powerfully flavoured hops such as the Galaxy variety from Tasmania, London's newest brewery follows a rapidly developing trend, as drinkers weary of bland, mass-market beers increasingly turn to small, artisan brewers with greater individuality. IPAs, stouts, and continental-style lagers are among the beers now attracting a younger, cooler and more gender-balanced crowd.Alongside the revival of interest in home-grown brewers, imported produce (particularly from the US, where the "craft beer" movement is further advanced) is also popular. Even some supermarkets now stock respectable ranges. But the pub remains the best place to drink beer ? and Britain's ever-growing number of top quality venues (many also providing music, food and events) suggests that this revolution is only just beginning.TEN TOP CRAFT BEER BARS AND PUBSCraft Beer Co, LondonThe stakes are constantly being raised within London's burgeoning craft beer scene, but this bar (opened in June 2011) currently holds the winning hand. With 37 beers on tap, it's enough to silence the competition, but these are really just a prelude to the main exhibit: 150 bottled varieties from locations including South Africa, Japan and Scandinavia. Connoisseurs will swoon at offerings from cult brewers such as Denmark's Mikkeller, while even craft beer novices should be enticed by names like Blueberry Stout, Dim Sum Beer and Gypsy Juice on the menu.? 82 Leather Lane, 020-7430 1123, thecraftbeerco.comGrove Inn, Huddersfield"Train tickets booked in readiness for my next visit to the real ale capital of England," writes one fan on the Grove's Facebook page. It's the only pub of its kind in Huddersfield, says the landlord, but has single-handedly turned the city into a destination for craft beer enthusiasts across the country and beyond. New Huddersfield microbrewery Magic Rock is among those represented on 18 rotating ale taps. There's a further 20 or so keg beers, and more than 230 in bottles. If that isn't enough, take your pick from more than 100 different Scotch whiskies.? 2 Spring Grove Street, 01484 430113, groveinn.co.uk/now.htmNorth Bar, LeedsOpened in 1997, North Bar was a craft beer bar before the name existed. It boasts a 'starry' clientele including "Sylvester McCoy, Su Pollard, and some of Hear'Say", but a greater draw for most is the constantly varying range of 150 beers. They're sourced from around the globe but there is always space for the house beer, Rooster's, brewed in Knaresborough.There's no overarching theme to the six-weekly art exhibitions or eclectic music that's played at North Bar, but the success of this formula is clear from the number of imitators it has spawned.? 24 New Briggate, 0113-242 4540, northbar.com/home.phpBrewDog, AberdeenBranded "lunatic self-publicists" by real ale grandee Roger Protz, stunts such as creating a 32% abv beer ? and their recent expulsion from the lineup at the Great British Beer Festival ? have cemented the reputation of Scotland's BrewDog as the mouthy upstarts of the brewing world.The brewery has recently opened outlets in Edinburgh and Glasgow, but its flagship remains the original bare-bricked Aberdeen bar. BrewDog names dominate the 10 rotating ales, but there is also space for world craft beers, whether on tap or among the 100-strong collection of bottles.? 17 Gallowgate, 01346 519009, brewdog.com/bars/aberdeenHAND Beer Bar, FalmouthPeter Walker, formerly of Leeds' North Bar, has now made it his business to evangelise the charms of craft beer to Cornwall. The range here has a deliberately global focus, with six draught beers (including one guest) and around 70 bottled varieties. In good weather, the walled courtyard is hugely popular.Events have included an evening of Belgian beer and Helford river mussels, and cycling trips to local pubs are among future plans. An attached gallery hosts varied exhibitions (such as Barcelona-based designer Max-o-matic and cover art from Little White Lies magazine).? 3 Old Brewery Yard, 01326 319888, facebook.com/HandBeerBarUKEvening Star, BrightonThe Evening Star is owned by the highly rated Sussex brewery Dark Star, whose output ranges from the full-flavoured Hophead session bitter to the Espresso dark beer (brewed using freshly ground coffee). Each month a seasonal special from the brewery is featured (expect Smoked Porter on soon, and Green Hopped IPA in November).Few would complain if purely Dark Star wares were sold, but three guest ales, as well as keg beers and bottles (including novelties such as a Dark Star/Thornbridge collaboration) ensure maximum variety. Dark Star also owns the nearby Duke of Wellington, Stand Up Inn and The Partridge.? 55/56 Surrey Street, 01273 328931, eveningstarbrighton.co.ukSparrow Bier Cafe, BradfordFurther bolstering Yorkshire's credentials as a craft beer stronghold, the Sparrow opened earlier this year in a small grade II-listed building on Bradford's North Parade.Local outfits such as Ilkley and Kirkstall regularly feature next to larger microbreweries among the beers on tap, and Tony Gartland of the Saltaire Brewery spoke at a recent IPA day (where attendees could choose from 15 varieties). Aside from the beer, the Sparrow has drawn praise for its local artwork, bar food and music taste.? 32 North Parade, no phone, facebook.com/thesparrowbradfordThe Rake, LondonOpened in 2006, The Rake can justifiably claim to be among the pioneers of craft beer in London. A huge number of constantly changing beers are packed into its tiny space, with 10 taps and a fridge behind the bar displaying 130 bottles from every corner of the world.The bar is tied to the superb Utobeer store in nearby Borough Market, and it's not unheard of for unsold produce from the market's food stalls to be distributed to grateful drinkers. Thankfully, given the bar's popularity, customers can spill into the outdoor seating area.? 14 Winchester Walk, 020-7407 0557, utobeer.co.uk/beer_rake.htmlPort Street Beer House, ManchesterThe team behind Manchester's popular Common bar launched the Port Street Beer House early this year. Wigan's Prospect brewery joins Thornbridge and Dark Star as a perennial presence among the bar's seven rotating ales, while Moravka lager (brewed at nearby Buxton) is a popular keg option ? and the clientele can also choose from about 100 bottled beers. Ales from the local Marble brewery (which also has its own pub in Manchester, the Marble Arch), have recently featured prominently, and the bar's next "Meet the Brewer" event, on 26 September from 6pm, will feature the Red Willow Brewery from Macclesfield.? Port Street Beer House, 0161 237 9949, portstreetbeerhouse.co.ukSheffield Tap, SheffieldThis shrine to beer won an award from Camra and English Heritage for its conversion from the old Edwardian dining rooms of Sheffield station. Thornbridge is an avowed favourite here, with four of the Derbyshire brewery's ales always among the total of 10 on tap. The choice of 200 bottled beers can all be bought to take away, as can two-pint cartons of draught beer.An excellent sister pub has already opened in a stone lodge in front of Euston station, and with more promised in Cambridge and York. Regular tastings and events are held.? Platform 1B, Sheffield Station, Sheaf St, 0114-273 7558, sheffieldtap.comFood and drinkFood & drinkLondonManchesterLeedsguardian.co.uk © 2011 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

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