Five London brews to try this summer before deciding you don't like beer

 

A photo posted by Meantime Brewing (@meantimebrewing) on Feb 18, 2016 at 4:00am PST

Considering the city's craft brewing scene is in the midst of a new wave of hoppy, dark, and sour drinks, it’s no surprise some of us are put off going within ten feet of anything labelled ‘beer’ ever again.

But, as these brews should show, all is not lost for new drinkers this summer. Believe it or not, London’s breweries do make the odd beer that won't clout you over the head with a sack of hops. 

 

A photo posted by samchilds (@therealsamchilds) on Mar 6, 2016 at 9:41am PST

40ft Pale Ale

By creating a not overly hoppy pale ale, these Dalston boys have brought London exactly what it needed. The big tropical fruit notes you get from this brew are a bit like shoving a particularly ripe mango into your face. Like fruit? Consider this one of your five-a-day. Try it at various bottle shops, or their Dalston brewery.

 

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Meantime Wheat

Alright, this one might not knock you off your feet, but it is a solid intro to the German-style weissbier, where you’ll typically pick up subtle notes of banana and clove. A good starter beer, because it’s a little sweet, not bitter, not hoppy, and definitely not like licking an ashtray. Try it at various bottle shops, or their Greenwich brewery.

 

A photo posted by Damith Rajakaruna (@damithc82) on Jun 23, 2016 at 2:56pm PDT

Beavertown Smog Rocket

While Beavertown’s signature range is well hopped, this one’s a tad more conservative. At least, to start with. At the back of the mouth you’ll get a hit of coffee, with soy and dark chocolate undertones – a rich, complex but accessible beer. Try it at various Oddbins and other bottle shops, or their Tottenham Hale brewery. 

 

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Partizan Lemon & Thyme Saison

Like Beavertown, Partizan has put a lot of time into its aesthetic. They’ve also put a lot of thyme into this beer (geddit?). Fortunately, not enough to overwhelm your delicate palate. It's refreshing and funky, with sweet lemon rind on the nose, while the mouth gets a pleasant dose of sourness and spice. Try it at their Bermondsey brewery.

 

Fourth and just in time for #halloween is #howlingpils by @howlinghops #soho #beautifulblacks #lovelondon #beer #craftbeer #realale #camra

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Howling Hops Howling Pils

So, you figure yourself for a lager drinker, but your six-pack of Friday Foster's just doesn’t do it for you anymore. Understandable. Step forward another kind of lager – Howling Hops’ rather Bohemian-looking (and tasting) pilsner. Contrary to your Foster's, it’s clean, it’s crisp, and it’s a crime not to be drunk. Try it at various bottle shops or their Hackney Wick brewery.

For more quality booze, check out the best craft beer in London.