Top 5 Craft Beer Pubs in London series – The Rake
London’s craft beer scene is booming and there are growing numbers of great pubs in the city. Jane Peyton wrote us a guide to the best craft beer pubs in London. Pub number one is The Rake.
The Rake, Borough Market
Ask a Londoner what their favorite craft beer pub is and chances are they will say The Rake. This tiny pub is legendary for its regular tap take-overs, beer launches, themed festivals, and ever changing range of 3 casks, 7 kegs, bottled and canned beer from all over the world. The selection is vast – in the fridges alone there are 130 brands of bottles and cans.
Tucked away on a narrow side street off the main part of the historic Borough Market, the Rake has only been a pub since 2006 but it has made a major impact in London’s beer consciousness. Try and get there before 5pm so you can claim one of the three tables inside before the pub fills up. There is a no-frills outdoor heated deck area too and in fine weather the crowds (and there will be crowds) spill into a market car-park.
This is one of my favourite pubs and even though I live miles away it feels more like my local because I can drop in and invariably see someone I know. And if I don’t see a familiar face I can chat with fellow customers. After all beer is a lingua franca and all beer drinkers are friends that we may not yet have met. It is not unusual to spot leading brewers, beer writers and beer personalities at the Rake. It is that type of place.
Footy fans might be interested to know that the Rake’s sister pub, Tap East – also a microbrewery – is the nearest pub to the London stadium (former Olympic stadium) which is now West Ham’s home ground.
The Rake’s slogan is ‘No Crap On Tap’ so you can be guaranteed to taste some brilliant beers. See you there!
Cheers,
Address: 14 Winchester Walk, Borough Market SE1 9AG
Telephone: 020 7407 0557
Twitter: @RakeBar
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheRakeSE1
Website: http://www.utobeer.co.uk/the-rake/
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