There is nothing quite like a great pint of beer, be it post-work or on a sunny afternoon, and with craft beer being one of the food world’s favourite trends this year, there really is no excuse not to try something special.

There’s a whole world of craft beer available in London so we decided to explore some of the best microbreweries our city has to offer.

1. BrewDog Camden

BrewDog can be found in the heart of Camden, with a modern, minimal look to the bar letting the wide array of beers speak for themselves. BrewDog boasts a vast collection of palate-punching ales, with so much variety on offer there is something for everyone. With beer-tasting deals available for your sampling delights, get yourself down there and get sipping!

2.  The Brewhouse, London Fields Brewery

The brewery has only been trading for a year and celebrated their first birthday this month, but don’t let its youth fool you; for such a small brewery they produce five outstanding ales and beers to tempt you with, whether at the bar or to take home. The Brewhouse pop-up bar is open every Saturday, when it’s joined by The Dead Dolls Club to bring you delicious treats and great music with an awesome summer vibe. The Brewhouse is the perfect place to start your weekend, with pizza, beer and the industrial surrounds of Hackney setting off the vibe perfectly.

3. Crate Brewery – Hackney Wick 

Located right on the river Lea with plenty of tables outside to enjoy what is left of the summer sun; if the sun is missing, the quality ales most certainly won’t be. Try the Crate Golden Ale, is a lovely light pint, or if you want something with a little more bite, try the IPA. Crate is just a stone’s throw from the Olympic site and is a local business to its core, run by members of the Hackney Wick community. Expect Tonnes of space, a chilled environment and reclaimed and recycled materials making up the furniture and bar, in true Hackney Wick style.

4. Zerodegrees – Blackheath

Zerodegrees is a seriously cool industrial space, with the massive tanks housing their different ales and beers connected to the bar by pipes in something of a Willy Wonka style. The wheat beer is particularly tasty and goes down really well with their speciality – king-sized kilo pots of mussels (try the Thermidore pot, with Brandy, wine, mustard, cheddar cheese, cream & parsley). Zerodegrees are proud of their beers being vegetarian-friendly and free from additives and preservatives and sell mini kegs on site too. Just remember that without the preservatives it doesn’t last as long once you break it open; but when the beer tastes this good, there’s really no need to hang about!

5. The Old Brewery, Greenwich

The Old Brewery is immersed in an area overflowing with history, just moments from the Cutty Sark. Built in 1831 and still incorporates cast-iron head of a 60m-deep well. Now refurbished to make the brewery work once more, with notes on the history of the building and brewery around the walls, there is always something to read if your conversation dry (or more worryingly, if your glass is empty). The theme nights are fabulous for a night out whether with mates or a date: we recommend Lobster Nights (every Thursday from 6pm-11pm), when you can get a whole Lobster, poached or grilled, served with chips and either a lemon butter sauce or an anchovy & tarragon butter for just £15.00!