Drink your way around Blackhorse Beer Mile this weekend!
Saturday afternoon beers with your pals? Get yourself to Walthamstow.
Over the past 5 years Walthamstow has seen an upturn in fortunes. The artists of Hackney Wick and the families of Islington have seen Walthamstow, and Blackhorse Lane, as a new home. With its Victoria line access into central London its the perfect place to build their new community.
This brings me to the upsurge in craft beer in the area.
“the place for people to make and do"
A quote clearly seen on the side of a building as you exit Blackhorse Lane Station.
Places like the Blackhorse Workshop and Blackhorse Atelier are some of the places that feed this movement.
I’m here to talk about the craft beer movement that has set up home in Walthamstow and to take you through a nice leisurely crawl.
Start: Trumans Social.
What a venue! This place is vast and reminds me of the turbine halls at Tate Modern.
Big screens for sports, pool tables and table tennis, and plenty of room for kids to be kids, or adults to be kids, It’s great for an afternoon beer.
I would recommend getting some food here. The other breweries on this list normally have a vendor but check before you arrive as you may be playing the lottery with what you get.
Along with the beers brewed by Trumans, they have guest taps from the likes of Pillars (fyi the Vienna Pilsner went down a treat on our visit).
Stop 2: Signature Brew
Venue porn once again. Although less space than Trumans they have created a container style pub outside. As beers go, Signature have something for everyone. The Studio Larger is my go-to.
Signature were the folks that did the beers for The Foo Fighters when they took over a pub in East London, and have had a collaboration with The Bells End Beer and artist Justin Hawkins from the Darkness.
They regularly have gigs from music to comedy. Signature are always knocking it out of the park.
Stop 3: Exale Brewing
For those who know me, they are aware that Exale is my favourite on the list. Although the beers aren’t for everyone, they are more experimental and come up with some top liquids.
The venue has more of a typical warehouse feel than the previous two, with some clouds hanging from the ceiling to soften the noise.
You need to try the Krankie Sour, which tastes just like Irn Bru and must be experienced. Not for you? The West Coast IPA and the Pale Ale are perfect examples of the quality brewing that takes place in Exale.
Stop 4: Beerblefish Brewing
The newest kids on the block. Although set up as a company, it is a social enterprise. Environmental impact, vegan beer, re-skilling ex-military personnel. These folks are doing great things.
The beers are great. They have spent time brewing what they call heritage ales based on 19th century recipes and are very interesting.
The resurgence of ‘Mild’ in the brewery industry can be tasted with a great example here.
The venue itself is still a work in progress and is a little cold in the winter months, but don’t let put you off as the vibe’s great.
Stop 5: Hackney Brewery.
About a 5 minute walk from the last stop.Hackney Brewery decided to make the shift to Walthamstow.
The beers are great, the tap room is a little quirky and not what you would expect from your usual brewery warehouse. It’s best described as like a northern tea shop frequented by OAPs. Very characterful! For an East London Brewery it felt a little bit of an odd fit but you can’t question the beers, so don’t let the quirky vibe put you off.
Final Stop: Wild Card
Run by the brewing legend Jaega Wise (can be seen hosting Beer Masters on Amazon) and one of the main reason why Walthamstow are on the Craft Brewery map.
More traditionally set up in a warehouse next to a moped garage with a mezzanine. Their ever changing beer lineup means you will always find something new, I am yet to try one I don’t like. It’s a great venue to finish the day before jumping on the bus/tube back home.