The Bermondsey Beer Mile: A crawl for craft beer lovers

If you haven’t heard of it, it’s a collection of brewery bars and bottle shops located under the railway arches in Bermondsey, stretching nearly two miles depending on what's open.

It’s a hotspot for craft beer enthusiasts, but there’s far more to it than just endless IPA tastings.

My recent Saturday visit revealed just how varied and enjoyable this famous beer crawl can be.

I went along with a group of friends, and although I’m relatively new to the world of craft beer, it was the perfect place to discover new flavours.

I’m not your typical IPA fan—I prefer sours, wheat beers, or a crisp lager—but even with my preferences, the range of options was impressive.

We began at Igloo Flowers Urban Garden Centre, which, yes, is a flower shop with a cocktail bar tucked away at the back.

The whimsical atmosphere, with colourful blooms everywhere, made it hard to resist starting with a spicy margarita, even though I’d intended to stick to beer.

This was the moment I realised the Beer Mile wasn’t just for bearded IPA drinkers—it was far more diverse than that.

Igloo Flowers Urban Garden Centre (Image: Amy Clarke)

Our next stop was Southwark Brewing Co., a place I’d been to before.

It was buzzing with energy, and I sensibly opted for half-pints to pace myself for the long day ahead.

After Southwark, we moved on to Barrel Project, which is known for ageing beers in old wine and whiskey barrels, giving their brews complex, layered flavours that you don’t often find in your typical pint.

One of the standout stops for me was It Ain’t Much, If It Ain’t Dutch, a quirky little spot full of character, from the amusing cartoon bird murals to the excellent selection of Dutch beers.

I’m a sucker for a good lager, and this place absolutely delivered.

The laid-back vibe made it the perfect spot to sip a crisp Dutch brew while taking in the fun décor.

One thing you’ll quickly notice on the Bermondsey Beer Mile is the crowds, particularly on Saturdays.

At a few stops, we had to stand, but we always found space eventually.

It Ain’t Much, If It Ain’t Dutch (Image: Amy Clarke)

The best part? If a bar wasn’t your style or too busy, you could simply move on to the next, making the whole experience feel like a relaxed, go-with-the-flow adventure.

We made a few more stops, including Mash Paddle Brewery, one of the more chilled-out places we visited, where the selection of sours was a real treat for someone like me who doesn’t always come across them easily.

We had planned to finish our crawl at The Kernel, one of the most iconic breweries on the Mile, but unfortunately, it was closing by the time we arrived.

If there’s one piece of advice I’d give future visitors, it’s to start your day early.

Many breweries and taprooms don’t stay open late, so if you want to visit all the places on your list, don’t leave it too late to get going.

We missed a couple of other notable stops, like Cloudwater and Gosnells, but that just gives us another reason to return.

After hours of beer tasting, we needed something to soak it all up, so we ended the night at Bone Daddies, an excellent Asian restaurant nearby.

Bone Daddies (Image: Amy Clarke)

The bao buns were delicious, and after all that beer, some hearty food was just what we needed. While Bone Daddies isn’t technically part of the Beer Mile, it’s a brilliant place to wrap up the night and recover from all those drinks.

The best thing about the Bermondsey Beer Mile is the variety—you can find traditional brews, experimental beers, quirky themed bars, and even cocktails if you fancy switching things up. It’s a vibrant, eclectic experience.

Although we didn’t make it to every stop on our list, I’m already planning my return to check out the breweries we missed.

Barrel Project (Image: Amy Clarke)

With new places popping up and old favourites constantly evolving, it’s the kind of place you can visit again and again, always finding something new.

If you love craft beer or just want a fun day exploring a different side of London, I highly recommend the Bermondsey Beer Mile. Just be sure to start early, pace yourself, and enjoy the journey.