Craft Beer from England

One of the great European beer nations is definitely England. A beer history that is almost 2000 years old, several beer styles were "invented" and brewed here. Own hop varieties are grown and for some years the Craft Beer culture has been reviving here and is considered the best in Europe.

When you think of England, most people probably think of warm, stale beer served in noisy pubs. Certainly the Cask tradition is very typical and traditional British. But just as a good pale or pilsner is often underestimated, so are bitter or mild ales from England that fly a little under the radar.

Typical English beer styles

With this, two beer styles, typical for the British Isles, were mentioned. But besides Bitter, a light, top-fermented beer style with a crisp, accentuated malt body, and Mild Ale, also an ale that is brewed a bit more strongly and usually has a chestnut brown color, there are many more beer styles to discover. But in general: England is the land of Ales, i.e. top-fermented beers. You will not find a traditional bottom-fermented beer style here. One of the most famous Ales in the world is Pale Ale. A beer with a hop accent and relatively bitter, which is only topped by India Pale Ale. The history says that the IPA, so the short term, was brewed more strongly for the Indian colonies in order to keep the long shipping over durable. Because alcohol and hops preserve. Even connoisseurs may hardly be able to say whether it is 100% true in the end.

Other world-famous types of beer are the Porter and the Stout. Both beer styles are very similar. Historically, the porter is more of an English dock worker beer - dark, chocolaty, palatable, creamy. The Stout is more Irish, but similar in character, roasted, chocolaty, crisp.

The last really known English beer style is Barley Wine. An invention that emerged from a conflict. Due to a war with France, the British could no longer import their high-proof wine, so they produce their own. Only not from grapes, but from barley. Malty, caramel, biscuit, bitter, often over 10% alcohol and stored in barrels.

Craft Beer Explosion

Back to the history. While the British pub culture survived all crises relatively unscathed, over the centuries the one taste of beer has left its mark on the inhabitants. Although the variety was always relatively large, little creative brewing took place. This changed dramatically at the beginning of the 2000s. And since a few years England is considered the country with the best Craft Breweries outside the USA. Pioneers were certainly The Kernel, Brew by Numbers and Beavertown from London, or Thornbridge or Siren.

In the 2010s the number of new breweries exploded. And now England has some of the best rated breweries in the world with Cloudwater, Verdant, Wylam, Northern Monk and others. Especially when it comes to Stouts, Barley Wines, but also IPAs, there are hardly any other breweries that can hold a candle to them. What is the reason for this? The historical advantage, the brewing experience, the social proximity to the USA and certainly also the non-existent purity law.

Every Craft Beer Nerd should make a trip to England and visit the Craft Beer strongholds London, Manchester and Leeds. Or better yet, make a complete round trip through beautiful England. No matter what the brexite may bring.