When it comes to beer, the United Kingdom boasts a rich and diverse brewing heritage that spans centuries.

From London to Manchester, Derbyshire to Scotland, the UK’s best breweries are a testament to the nation’s passion for beer and brewing excellence. And most of them warrant a visit when you’re touring the UK.

But here are four “must visit” breweries in the United Kingdom that you absolutely don’t want to miss.

The Kernel Brewery, London

Nestled in  the Bermondsey neighborhood, home to many great London breweries, The Kernel is renowned for its commitment to quality and innovation. Founded by Evin O’Riordain in 2009, this brewery has gained a cult following for its range of pale ales, IPAs, and stouts.

(Courtesy The Kernel)

We’ve visited many a brewery over the years, but very few in as evocative a setting as The Kernel’s. A plain and unmarked door leads into three long cavernous chambers, each with towering arched ceilings. Shelves of freshly brewed bottled beers line the length of corridors, eventually giving way to the large fermentation tanks near the back of the brewery.

At The Kernal the emphasis is on using the finest ingredients and experimenting with different hops and brewing techniques, resulting in beers that are both bold and distinctive.

Cloudwater Brew Co., Manchester

Hailing from Manchester, Cloudwater Brew Co. has quickly risen to prominence since its establishment in 2015. Known for pushing the boundaries of beer-making.

Cloudwater is celebrated for its seasonal releases and collaborations with other breweries worldwide. From hazy IPAs to rich imperial stouts, their beers are crafted with precision and creativity, earning them a spot among the UK’s top breweries.

We also appreciate Cloudwater’s integrity. In a post explaining Cloudwater Brewing’s new non-alcoholic offerings, Paul Jones the co-founder of the influential Manchester, England-based craft brewery got incredibly honest about his on-again, off-again sobriety.

(Courtesy Thornbridge Brewery)

Thornbridge Brewery, Derbyshire

Situated in the picturesque Peak District, Thornbridge Brewery combines traditional brewing methods with a contemporary approach.

Founded in 2005, Thornbridge has earned acclaim for its diverse portfolio, including award-winning beers like Jaipur IPA and Cocoa Wonderland.

Their commitment to quality and consistency has solidified Thornbridge’s reputation as one of the finest breweries in the UK.

BrewDog, Aberdeenshire

Founded in 2007 by James Watt and Martin Dickie as a small garage operation in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, BrewDog has grown into an international craft brewery that now exports to 60 countries and runs more than 100 bars around the world.

(BrewDog Founders James Watt and Martin Dickie)

Renowned as much for its irreverent attitude and branding as it is for its bold beers, BrewDog is without a doubt the country’s biggest brewing success story. We’ve covered their sometimes reckless history endlessly over the years, because they’ve remained fearless and topical as well as dependably fun.

Beyond their core range, defined by classics like Punk IPA BrewDog continues to innovate with experimental brews and eco-friendly initiatives, (some of them successful, others not) making them the brewing pioneer they remain today.

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