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We trust you’ve heard the terrifying news: there’s a Guinness shortage in London. The sublime stout is in such short supply that some pubs are even rationing it.
What to do? Well, it turns out that Guinness aren’t the only people to make stout. In fact, there’s a host of London-based breweries also churning out pretty decent takes on beer’s big brother.
RECOMMENDED: Why is Guinness so popular?
We’re here to help you see the great Guinness drought of 2024 not as a time to be sad, but rather a time to be intrepid, and an opportunity to try a series of stouts from independent London brewers. We tried a few bottles and cans, and here’s what we think.
London Porter, 6 percent
Kernel, Bermondsey
‘What a treat, what a delightful, wonderful, perfect treat. The Kernel is in a league of its own in terms of London beer anyway, but its London Porter is on another level. It’s deeply dark, syrupy, an abyss of toasted, warming flavours that I’d happily spend the entire Christmas period falling into.’ Eddy Frankel, Art Editor
Dark Matter, 4 percent
Villages, Deptford
‘Does it taste like Guinness? No. Is it a nice drink? Yes. Dark Matter is a velveteen beverage from the Deptford pale ale specialists. Less of a “challenge” than the fightier stouts, this is a peppy, fun drink that has more in common with low ABV craft beers than Guinness. A fine can, but no substitute for the G unit.’ Joe Mackertich, Editor
Crunch, 5.4 percent
Hammerton, Islington
‘This peanut butter milk stout is similar to what you’d get if you dropped a Mr Tom bar into a pint of Guinness and fished it out a few hours later. It’s as creamy as the much-missed ol’ faithful, but with a nutty, teeth-tingling twang that starts off sweet, but mellows into something highly sippable.’ Leonie Cooper, Food & Drink Editor.
Spinneret, 4.6 percent
Pressure Drop, Tottenham
‘I don’t like Guinness. I don’t like stout! But this, this is quaffable. It’s fizzier than your normal stout. It’s certainly not as smooth as Guinness – but what is? It’s clean and sharp, with more of a treacly taste and a bitter finish, like a returning striker scoring against his hometown team.’ Bryan Mayes, Art Director
Dead Wax London Porter, 5.5 percent
Orbit, Walworth
‘I’ve never tried porter before, and I’m not sure this stuff quite scratches the itch you might have if your local has been completely bled dry of the Black Stuff – it’s hoppier, more savoury, more transparent, and doesn’t leave you feeling like you’ve just demolished a whole meal. However, it does boast that roasty, coffee-y, chocolatey flavour with a stronger hit of bitterness, and if you’re keen to try something that’ll make you go ‘ooh’, it’s worth a try.’ Liv Kelly, Writer
Quadrant Oatmeal Stout, 4.8 percent
East London Brewing Co., Waltham Forest
‘An oatmeal stout: sounds heavy, doesn’t it? Sounds a bit… porridgy. Friends, you’ve been misled: this is way lighter than a Guinness, crisply fizzy and moreishly sippable. Guinness season might kick in around October, but the Quadrant is delicious all year round.’ Jordan Bassett, Writer.
Looking to try some stouts while out and about in London? Check out the best brewery taprooms in town.
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