best british breweries

Welcome to the Drink in the Sights guide to the best British Breweries. I guess I should start this by saying no I've not tried every beer from every brewery ever, but I am trying my best, and this list will keep expanding as I find more great breweries. To put that statement in context I started off planning to write a 20 best breweries guide, but at the time of writing it's now up to the top 37 breweries in Britain. What can I say? There's a lot of great breweries here. I've tried to make this a nice mix of breweries young and old, and I have thrown in a couple of relatively unknown ones who are local to me that I love, plus it's always good to promote local businesses. If you come across this list and your favourite brewery isn't on here feel free to send me a few free samples to try and I'll see what I can do about adding it. Well you can't blame a guy for trying can you? Just for the sake of ease I've listed them in alphabetical order. Right lets get on with this guide.

British Breweries

8 Sail

Well I did say I was going to put a couple of local (to me) breweries on this list, and here we have Lincolnshire's own 8 Sail Brewery. They've been going since 2010 creating a few classics along the way. Black Widow is a surprisingly strong and tasty mild that I love despite my arachnophobia kicking in whenever I think about it. On top of that Ploughman's Lunch is a great session pale ale while Windmill Bitter will please any proper English bitter drinker. My personal favourite though is the Windy Miller oatmeal stout, it's a proper smooth malty stout full of oaty goodness.

Abbeydale

Abbeydale in Sheffield have been prolifically brewing excellent beers since 1996. They're multi award winning, brew a good selection of gluten free beers, and they're one of few breweries who create both classic real ales and new and exciting craft beers. They're Daily Bread is an exceptional session best bitter, while Black Mass is one of the most flavoursome dark ales you'll find clocking in at a rocking 6.66%. For me though their Lost Souls collection of gluten free imperial stouts are the stars of the show, and are must tries for any beer enthusiast.

Ashover

Derbyshire based Ashover Brewery were founded in 2007 and are one of those rare breweries that just seem incapable of producing a bad beer. They cover pretty much every style you could ask for, but they do them all equally well, with the Damson Porter probably coming through as my personal favourite, while Rainbow's End will please any light beer lover. If you're on a pub crawl and see an Ashover beer you just know it's going to be a solid 8 out of 10 or above without even having to think about it, and that alone makes them one of the best British breweries.

Badger 

Badger Beers is one of the oldest breweries on the list dating back to 1777 so they must be doing something right. I first fell in love with the Dorset based brewery when I tried their Cranbourne Poacher which is a deliciously fruity award winning red ale, it genuinely is fantastic. Since then I've also discovered the wonderfully refreshing Hopping Hare, and The Golden Champion golden ale each of which have also won awards. The truth is Badger Beers are one of those breweries who you can just rely on. I think in total I've had 10 of their beers, and they're all good. Badger just don't brew bad beers. If you want a proper old reliable brewery look no further.

Batemans

Skegness based Batemans have been happily brewing away, and running great pubs, since 1874. Their XXXB is an old classic premium ale, while their Dark Fruits Porter is about as flavoursome as any porter you'll find. Combined Harvest is so full of grainy goodness I'm convinced it's actually good for you. Plus if you're ever in Lincolnshire over Christmas their Rosey Nosey has an almost cult like following in these parts so you really should give them a go. Batemans are a truly great British brewery you won't want to miss. 

Blue Monkey

Blue Monkey not only produce exceptional beer but also run four of my favourite pubs around Nottinghamshire. They're all called Organ Grinder, so if you're in the area check them out. These guys really do everything from great beers to award winning gins, and even their own pork scratching's, but lets focus on the beer. Their Chocolate Orange Stout is the nearest thing you'll ever get to drinking a Terry's Chocolate Orange, it really is fantastic. Meanwhile their BG Sips is multi award winning, and I have to say I love the Blubarb & Custard wheat beer. This really is an exceptional British brewery.

Boss Brewing

Swansea based Boss Brewing hit the headlines when Hugo Boss forced them to rename one of their beers, prompting comedian Joe Lycett to change his name to Hugo Boss to make a very comical point. Five minutes of fame aside though these guys are top quality brewers whose cans and bottles are super cool. They're Boss Black is one of my favourite gluten free stouts, while Let The Dragon Roar is an exceptional gluten free pale ale. They also produce some great fun small batch offerings including Bubble Trouble which I loved for its uniqueness as much as anything else. How many brewers would create a bubble gum flavoured beer after all?

Brass Castle

Yorkshire brewery Brass Castle are responsible for two of my all time favourite beers, and everything they brew is gluten free at the time of writing. Their Trinitario is an impeccable chocolate stout, while Bad Kitty, Christas Kitty, and Very Bad Kitty are all mind blowingly good porters, which is presumably why they keep producing new versions. If you're a light beer drinker don't worry though as their Disrupter is a seriously strong, and tasty, IPA. For me though I just can't get over how good Bad Kitty is, and it was probably the beer that showed me you don't need gluten to brew something exceptional. A great gluten free British brewery.

Brewdog

You just can't leave Brewdog out of the equation when talking about the best British breweries. If you've not heard of them by now where have you been? They're Elvis Juice and Punk IPA have become iconic household names to the point that even ALDI are copying them, while Jet Black Heart Nitro is possibly my current favourite beer. Add in the wonderfully spicy Choco Libre Nitro, and Duopolis, a rare IPA I genuinely love and you have quite a selection of special beers. Brewdog are now a truly global brand with bars across the world serving their excellent beers to an ever expanding audience. 

Brew York

Brew York just seem to be winning award after award at the moment so it should be no surprise to anyone that they're in this list of the best breweries in Britain. Their core range alone have enough variety to keep everyone happy with Tonkoko Stout a favourite among dark beer drinkers and Haze of Thunder appealing to those of a lighter persuasion. If you fancy something a little different I really enjoyed the amusingly named Rhubarbra Streisland milkshake pale ale. As York is beyond any doubt one of the best drinking cities in the UK it only seems fitting they now also have one of the best breweries.

Bristol Beer Factory

Bristol Beer Factory produce one of the best milk stouts you'll ever come across, and they've even created a white version that hits the same high standards. Fortunately it's not all about just those two though as their Optimist Pale Ale is enough to keep any light drinker happy. The brewery have been running since 2004 and they own the Barley Mow, which is one of the best bars in Bristol. While the core beer range might be quite small you can trust Bristol Beer Factory to keep producing top quality small batch specials to keep you very happy.

Buxton Brewery

Buxton Brewery in Derbyshire are responsible for creating one of the best coffee beers with their sadly now finished Costa Rican Porter, but also for giving one of my friends a great stag do experience when we visited. Don't worry though while the coffee porter may be gone Gatekeeper, they're core porter remains, and it's still damn good. Myrcia is a top class oatmeal IPA and at 3.8% Right to Roam makes for an excellent session bitter. Keep an eye out for Buxton collaborations with the likes of Omnipollo which are sure to result in something special.

Castle Rock

Castle Rock in Nottingham began brewing in 1997 having opened their first pub 20 years earlier. They now own more than 20 pubs, and I've been to nearly half of them, they are genuinely some of the best pubs you'll ever find. They now have an impressive range of multi award winning beers including Harvest Pale, which is a great pale ale, Midnight Owl that may well be my favourite black IPA, and Elsie Mo which I always end up drinking in the bar at East Mids airport. Castle Rock really know how to do great pubs, and great beers.

Drygate

Drygate have been providing quality beer to the good people of Glasgow since 2014 and now they're finally starting to get the national recognition they deserve. They're probably most famous for their inventively named Disco Forklift Truck, which is an excellent Mango Pale Ale, that has also become a smoothie IPA. Beyond that they've created a range of stouts based on their original Orinoco Mocha Milk stout which will all keep dark drinkers like me happy. They really have come a long way in just a few years and show no signs of slowing down now.

F.A.B

Or Ferry Ales Brewery are a small Lincoln based brewery who I fell in love with as soon as I tried their Smokey Joe Porter. I'm just a sucker for smoked beers, and this really is one of the very best. This inspired me to buy their taster pack, and I didn't regret that choice one bit. They have a couple of excellent bitters in 49 Squadron and Just Jane, and their Fabuccino coffee stout is as good as any you'll find. Sure they're a small brewery but that doesn't mean they aren't one of the best breweries in Britain.

Fierce Beer

The Aberdeen based brewery take us as far north as we're going in this list. Their Mouse Mousse chocolate stout is luxurious while Heavy on the Bourbon is a glorious barrel aged 9% offering the likes of which you'll rarely find. For the lighter drinkers Stuff of Nonsense Fast Laine is a very drinkable Hazy IPA, while Bitter Inside is a Tropical IPA with a name I think sums me up nicely. This is a British brewery that's really going places fast, and creating some great beers on the way.

First Chop

Manchester based First Chop have emerged as not only one of the top gluten free breweries, but one of the best breweries in Britain full stop. They've created an excellent range of top class craft beers ranging from the tremendous black IPA SYL to their mango pale ale JAM. First Chop have a core range with something to please every taste and while their vanilla stout POD with hints of coffee and chocolate is outstanding for a dark beer drinker their POW will more than satisfy the palate of anyone looking for something light and extremely fruity. They really are a cracking brewery.

Lincolnshire Craft Beers

Lincolnshire Craft Beers have been producing Lincoln (my home city) themed beers for over 20 years now. Their Bomber County is a spectacularly good 4.8% premium bitter, while Lincoln Gold, featuring a picture of the imposing Lincoln Cathedral on the front, is a local classic. For stout drinkers Imp Stout is wonderful while those on the look out for great hoppy beers won't want to miss the Humber Hopster.  Sure coming from Lincoln I'm a little bit biased, but I honestly believe this is one of the very best British breweries, and anyone visiting the county should give them a try.

Lincoln Green

Lincoln Green from Nottingham have a fantastic range of ales, many of which are named after local, probably fictional, hero Robin Hood. So you have the lovely Marion Pale Ale, the reliable Hood best bitter, and my personal favourite Tuck porter named after the good friar himself. Naming aside these are all quality beers, but if you want something a little different keep your eye out for Buttermuch, their unique and pretty damn tasty butterscotch ale. Although it's only available in the summer also look out for Gin & Beer It. It's a gin infused beer that may just be enough to make even the most hardened gin drinker come over to the beery side. It really is the better side asfter all.

Magic Rock

Huddersfield's Magic Rock belong on any list of best breweries in Britain. Since their creation in 2011 they've been brewing imaginative and downright tasty beers. Dark Arts is everything a proper stout should be, there's chocolate, there's coffee, and there's just a bit of a kick at the end. For those who want even more coffee in their beer Common Grounds coffee porter will be a real treat. Meanwhile at 6.5% their gluten free IPA Fantasma is full of hoppy goodness. This is a brewery that really creates beers with unique, and always pleasurable tastes. There's a little bit of magic in every pint, or can.

Moor Beer 

Moor Beer will have you asking for more Moor Beer. Like a few on this list they're a Bristol based brewery making a big name for themselves. Their beers are unfined, so they'll be nice and hazy, which is how I like them, but while they may look hazy the taste will come through clear as day. Moor Beer brew everything from stouts to lagers, and they do them all well. Distortion is a brilliant tropical IPA while Stout does exactly what it says on the can, but with a little extra smoothness thrown in. On the other hand if you're looking for something a bit special Old Freddy Walker has an almost port like vibe going on you'll love. Please sir can I have some Moor?

Neon Raptor

Neon Raptor burst onto the Nottingham brewing scene a few years ago and haven't looked back since. Their Defeat The Rancor (the big thing Luke Skywalker kills in Return of the Jedi) Pecan Stout was one of those crazily good beers everyone had to try. That was followed by the 13% Cabinet of Ghosts chocolate and Marshmallow stout which is similarly spectacular. For the lighter drinkers Naughty Luggage is a great hazy IPA while Crushing Blows has all the fruity goodness. They seem to only do beers that stand out and are packed full of taste, and for the most part full of alcohol, at Neon Raptor so you'll love them or hate them, but I love them.

New Bristol Brewery

As the name implies this is one of the newest British breweries on my list, but boy are they making an impression. Their Cinder Toffee Stout is an opulent work of art, honestly it's incredible, while Joy of Sesh is as near to a perfect IPA as you're likely to find. Meanwhile clocking in at 7% their Irish Cream Stout is one you won't want to miss. They may be new and up and coming, but I have no doubt you'll be hearing a lot about New Bristol Brewery over the next few years. A great brewery from one of my favourite drinking cities.

Northern Monk

Leeds based Northern Monk started out in 2014 and just keep producing exceptional, and inventive beers. Of their core range Heathen is a seriously strong, and seriously tasty IPA while Northern Star holds up against any other porter. Where things get really interesting though is their Twist series where they mess around with their core offerings to create fun specials. Their Shaun of the Death Strawberry Cornetto Stout is ludicrously good, while Salted Caramel Star takes their Northern Star porter to a whole new level. These guys are proper experimenters, sometimes it works, sometimes it works less well, but I love that they keep creating new fun beers for me to try.  Oh and their Refectory in Leeds is fantastic, so make sure you visit that if you're ever in the city.

Oakham Ales

Before I found Citra from Oakham Ales I didn't think it'd be possible for me to like a Citrus based IPA, and for the most part I still don't. However somehow Oakham Ales have managed to create one I actually enjoy, and that alone is nearly enough to deserve a place on this list. The Peterborough based brewery were founded in 1993 and have produced a whole host of quality ales with their nice and fruity Bishop's Farewell, an expertly crafted golden ale, been a particular favourite of mine, along with Scarlet Macaw, a lovely refreshing pale ale. One of the top British breweries.

Salcombe

I'm going to come out at the start and say Devon Amber from Salcombe is very possibly my favourite light (ish) beer. It's wonderfully refreshing, has fruity notes, and a perfect bitter finish. It's just unbelievably drinkable. Actually that's kind of the thing with Salcombe beers, they're all just seriously drinkable. Shingle Bay is a fantastically smooth golden ale, and Lifesaver is a lovely, sweet, brown ale. These guys just know how to make their drinks a genuine pleasure to taste.

Saltaire

I first discovered the Shipley based brewery when I tried their Triple Choc Stout, I have a sweet tooth so why wouldn't I? If you want an upgrade they do an imperial version too. Needless to say I was instantly hooked. It didn't take me long to discover Breadwinner, which is made using bread left over from Morrison's bakery, it's a staggeringly good golden ale. If you prefer your beers full of hops then Full Tilt will be your dream come true. Saltaire have created a range that will have something for everyone, and they're all top class brews.

Shepherd Neame

I'm a historian at heart so I was always going to include Britain's oldest brewery on this list of the best British breweries. Incredibly these guys have been going since 1698 amassing more than 300 pubs on the way, so they must be doing something right. I doubt anyone reading this wont have had a Shepherd Neame beer already, and I'm sure you'll have been impressed. With iconic brews life Bishops Finger, Master Brew, Spitfire and their Double Stout complimented by their Whitstable Bay selection, giving classic beers a new twist. You simply don't last well over 300 years without knowing how to make a good beer.

Shiny

The Derby based micro brewery were founded in 2012 creating some staggeringly good, and often gluten free beers. Their Disco Balls is an amusingly named, super hoppy IPA, while Swirl is a lovely chocolate and vanilla porter. If you want something that will knock your socks off they have a dangerously tasty Triple IPA that clocks in at 10.5% called I Can Feel The Universe. However for me as a dark beer drinker I have to point you towards Wrench which is one of the most wonderfully complex stouts you'll ever find. This is a small brewery with a big future, and some damn tasty beers. 

Siren

This exceptional Berkshire brewery have been creating unique and at times spectacular beers since 2013. Where they really excel is their stouts, and I can tell you Caribbean Chocolate Mole Cake is out of this world good, while the Broken Dreams Breakfast Stout collection is truly outstanding. Don't worry though if you like your beers on the light side their Lumina is a wonderful, tropical pale ale that'll do you nicely. Siren have even brewed a couple of gluten free beers recently so there really is something for everyone here.

Stewart Brewing

Stewart Brewing have pretty much become the dominant beer brand in Edinburgh and now they're coming for the rest of the UK. They're LIDL beer festival regulars and have managed to create a beer for just about every taste bud. St Giles is a fantastic scotch ale, and Forbidden Fruit is one of the best grapefruit pales you can buy. They also have a Project 7 collection that features a white milk stout called White Russian, which I adore. Stewart Brewing is most certainly a brewery that's going places.

Tiny Rebel

I just love the entire Stay Puft collection from Tiny Rebel, I mean honestly they even made the Honey Glazed Ham version work, and I have no idea how. The South Wales based brewery started out in 2012 and they have gone from strength to strength, and won award after award ever since. Beyond their Stay Puft range you'll find Clwb Tropicana which is an incredible tropical IPA, and pump Up The Jam, a jam doughnut beer that genuinely tastes like it sounds. This is a brewery that are happy to experiment with big flavours and new ideas, and more often than not they get it spot on. 

Titanic

If someone says to you 'Plum Porter is on tap' you just know they mean Titanic don't you? How many breweries can you honestly say have a beer that's as recognisable? Probably not many. I used to think of Titanic as a bit of a one hit wonder until I bought their selection pack and now I can assure you they have several albums worth of quality material. Sure Plum Porter is the stand out but Steerage is one of the best session ales I've ever had, their stout is amazing, while White Star is a lovely, fruity golden ale. Honestly the Stoke on Trent brewery really are one of the best British breweries, and they have a great selection of ales you really have to try.

Top Rope

Top Rope are a Liverpool based micro brewery who give their beers wrestling related names. I'm going to say from the start I'm not a wrestling fan, but I am a beer fan, and these guys make some cracking beers. Cold Stone Cream Austen is an incredible ice cream pale ale, which is beyond doubt one of the best light beers I've ever tried, and they've adapted it to several equally tasty versions. Hall of Pain Au Chocolat is amazing, while Imperial Canadian Destroyer is a maple pecan stout that will blow your mind. These guys are a bit special.

Vocation

When it comes to brewing exceptionally tasty beers Vocation Brewery in Hebden Bridge have made it their lifes work. Their Sweet Temptation, a collaboration with Brew York, is possibly the most opulent beer I've ever tasted. Their Breakfast Club stout is fantastic, as is Naughty and Nice. They even have a barrel aged Imperial Banana Stout that you really wont want to miss. They also brew some outstanding light beers like Light & Death IPA and a lovely hazy pale ale called Hop, Skip & Juice, but for me it's all about the luxurious dark beers. Vocation really are one of the very best British breweries.

Westerham Brewery

When it comes to creating top notch beers, many of which are gluten free, Westerham in Kent are masters. They've been brewing since 2004 and they're almost port like Audit Ale is a true brewing triumph. Add to that their excellent pale ale Spirit of Kent, the malty red ale Grasshopper, and a classic Double Stout, among others, and you have quite a selection. There are few breweries you can rely on more to create solid 8+ out of 10 beers than Westerham.

Wilde Child

Wilde Childe in Leeds are making a strong name for themselves with some big tasting beers with Brownie Hunter, and the upgrade Brownie Huntress chocolate fudge brownie stouts been among the most tasty you'll ever find. They're far from a one trick pony though with a range of outstanding milkshake beers culminating in the gorgeous Hott Fuzz pale ale, and Over Indulgence, an Irish cream milkshake stout that certainly matches the name. These really are beers that taste of something. There's nothing plain, nothing ordinary, and nothing that won't grab your attention.

Williams Bros

I first fell in love with Williams Bros when their Chokka Blokka and March of the Penguins turned up in the LIDL beer festival a few years ago and blew me away. Since then I've gone out of my way to find more of the Alloa based breweries beers and haven't been let down. Joker and Double Joker are among my favourite ever IPA's, while Midnight Sun is a spiced porter the like of which is hard to come by. They really do have an impressive, and varied range that more than justifies their place on any list of top breweries in Britain.

Wiper and True

So last and by no means least on my list of Britain's top breweries we have Wiper and True. Not for the first time on this list it's a Bristol based brewery. Amity is a fantastic session pale ale while Great Adaptations is a lovely coffee stout with a cardamom, and that's not something you find everyday. Really though if you want to treat yourself try their Hard Shake, a barrel aged imperial milk stout, it's one of the most lusciously smooth and tasty stouts you'll ever get your hands on. I don't know what it is about Bristol right now but they really do produce some of the very best British breweries.

Thanks for reading my guide to the best British breweries. I hope you get chance to sample a selection from each of them in the very near future.