Brew By Numbers - London United Kingdom

Brew by Numbers was our last stop on our Bermondsey Beer Mile walk. When we arrived, it was crowded but plenty friendly (unlike the place next door that was having people line up outside like it was a nightclub). In short order I had a very nice #23 Pils in my hand, which I liked very much! There were also cute dogs here too which always makes me a like a place more. Nice people, good beer, I was pretty drunk by the time I got here.

Friends, patience is a virtue. That's what I had to remind myself umpteen times as I waited in the long, slow line for beer on a busy Saturday afternoon. But since this place was recommended by a friend in the beer biz, I knew it would be worth the wait. Being the professionals we are, my husband and I decided that our strategy would be to order three beers and share everything. There was not going to be a second wait in that queue. A lot of beer styles are offered and we were pleased with each one that we tried (a saison, pale ale and another style... an amber, maybe? . It's worth noting that there are no public bathrooms outdoor port a pots only. That's enough to get me moving after one round, long beer line or not. Beer is also available to go, and you can skip the line and purchase right at the register.

Very good craft brewery/tap room. I had their Gose 19 (with Mango, Pineapple and Passionfruit) which I liked a lot. Service is friendly and prices are fair.

Brew by Numbers are a venerated London microbrewery with a strong brewing ethos: they produce consistently drinkable beers with a focus on innovation. Their range uses only the finest ingredients available and is conditioned live in both bottle and keg forms- this results in natural carbonation and allows each batch the time to fully develop its flavours and aromas. Each beer is plainly labelled and can be ordered either by style/batch number or by its ingredient list. The hops used in each batch is also highlighted, making it impossible to tinker with recipes of loved beers without the punters noticing it does happen, but usually due to hop shortages). Transparent, fresh and novel- there's always something curious being brewed up from this surprisingly small operation. And I've never had a pint that I didn't like from BBNo. The popularity of BBNo's beers with savvy beer drinkers is firmly rooted in their sense of experimentation and the quality of everything they serve. However, when it comes to their taproom, there's another small factor that ensures that it will be constantly swarming, rammed from wall to wall with a snaking queue to get to the bar. The taproom isn't terribly spacious, but there are plenty of communal style tables and even more standing room outside. The primary reason for the throngs is that BBNo is on the in)famous Bermondsey Beer Mile: a pub crawl that includes several local breweries hosted in railway arches within a tiny radius. Wandering from arch to arch in this area of Bermondsey, you're likely to come across- you guessed it- yet another brewery. Most significantly, some of these breweries also have excellent reputations, including Partizan and Fourpure. So crowds flock to BBNo in a bifurcated fashion: some travel for the beer alone and some arrive in a group or on a pub crawl. Either way, they come together to enjoy a pint. The taproom is functional, usually serving a wide selection of beers listed across two blackboards. Bottles are also on sale to take away. If drinking on site, you'll have to pay a deposit on your glass £3) and this is refundable; admittedly, we have a larder of BBNo vessels at home because we had to scurry off, but the deposit is the same as the purchase price on site, so no foul play. The taproom is continuously bustling, seats are hard to come by, and if the weather turns, everyone squeezes to pack inside. You will have to queue up for your drink, so make sure you savour it- it's all worth it for the excellent beer. I really believe that BBNo is at the forefront of pushing some exciting styles and flavours and while some are intriguing, most are thoroughly quaffable. Their saisons tend to be winners every time with me. Whether on the Bermondsey Beer Mile or simply looking for a really good pint, get down there early and grab a seat. The taproom is open every Friday evening from 18:00-22:00 and on Saturday from 11:00-19:00. They often have some exclusive pilot beers on offer from the taproom, so you might just make the discovery of a lifetime. Just try to remember the batch number and/or ingredients so you can order it again.

Delicious beer. Nice brewery. Limited seating but on a sunny day it's a delight to sit outside and have a beverage.