You’re walking down Wilkin Street Mews and the smell hits you first. It’s that malty, bready scent of fermentation that tells you you’re exactly where you need to be. Most people head to Camden for the market or the kitschy stalls, but the real ones know the Camden Town Brewery Beer Hall is the true heart of the neighborhood. It isn't just a bar. It’s a functional piece of London's brewing history tucked under the Victorian brick arches of the railway.
Honestly, the vibe here is different than your average pub. It’s loud. It’s industrial. The ceilings are high, the benches are long, and there is a constant, low-frequency hum of the Overground trains passing directly overhead. It feels alive.
The move from the basement to the arches
Back in 2010, Jasper Cuppaidge started this whole thing in the basement of The Horseshoe in Hampstead. He wanted to make a lager that actually tasted like something. Fast forward a bit, and they moved into these arches. For years, the "brewery tap" was just a few stools and a cold concrete floor. Then, they did the big renovation.
The current Camden Town Brewery Beer Hall is a massive upgrade, but it didn't lose that grit. They kept the shiny stainless steel tanks right there in your eye line. You aren't just drinking beer; you’re sitting in the middle of the factory. It’s weirdly satisfying to see the kegs being moved around while you’re halfway through a pint of Hells.
What’s actually on tap?
Twenty-four taps. That is a lot of beer to choose from, especially when you’ve had a long week and your brain is fried. They have the "Core Five," which you’ve seen in every Waitrose and corner shop in the country—Hells, Pale, IPA, Off Menu, and the stout. But that’s not why you go to the source.
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You go for the Arch 55 series. These are the small-batch, experimental brews that never make it to the supermarket shelves. I’ve seen everything from a crisp Italian-style pilsner to weird, fruity sours that shouldn't work but somehow do. They also serve "Tank Party" beer. This is the stuff that comes directly from the tank to the glass—unfiltered, unpasteurized, and incredibly fresh. It tastes brighter. It’s basically the beer version of eating sourdough straight out of the oven.
The food situation: More than just pretzels
Forget the soggy chips you get at most breweries. The kitchen here is actually legit. They focus on what they call "beer hall classics," which mostly means things that go well with salt and bubbles.
The schnitzel is huge. Like, "cover the entire plate" huge. They do a spicy prawn roll that’s surprisingly fresh for a place under a railway bridge. And if you’re just there for a snack, the berner würstel (cheese-filled sausages wrapped in bacon) are basically mandatory. It’s heavy food. It’s greasy. It’s perfect.
Interestingly, the menu changes enough that you don't get bored. They’ve done collaborations with local chefs and pop-ups in the past, keeping the energy high. If you're a vegetarian, don't panic; they usually have a halloumi burger or some charred broccoli dish that actually holds its own against the meat-heavy options.
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Why this isn't just another tourist trap
Camden is full of places designed to take ten pounds from a tourist and give them a mediocre experience in return. The Camden Town Brewery Beer Hall managed to avoid that fate. Maybe it’s the location. Being slightly tucked away from the main High Street chaos helps filter out the people who are just looking for a photo of a colorful shop front.
The crowd is a mix. You’ve got the local workers in hi-vis vests grabbing a quick one after their shift, the craft beer nerds taking notes on their phones, and families with dogs. Yeah, it’s very dog-friendly. If your dog can handle the noise of a train every ten minutes, they’ll be treated like royalty.
The technical side of the pour
People talk about "clean lines" a lot in the beer world, but here it’s an obsession. Since the beer only has to travel about thirty feet from the tank to your glass, there’s very little room for error. They use a specific gas blend to ensure the carbonation is tight—not that fizzy, bloating air you get from a poorly maintained draught line in a dive bar.
They also serve everything in the proper glassware. It seems like a small thing. It isn't. A Hells lager hits different in a tall, chilled glass than it does in a generic pint glass. The aroma has room to breathe.
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How to actually get a seat
Look, don't just show up at 7 PM on a Friday and expect to walk in. You won't. You’ll be standing in the mews with a plastic cup, which is fine, but not the "beer hall experience."
- Book ahead. They have an online system. Use it.
- Go for lunch. Mid-week lunches are surprisingly chill. You can actually hear yourself think, and the service is lightning-fast.
- The Brewery Tour. If you really want to geek out, book the tour. It ends in the beer hall anyway, and you get to taste the raw ingredients. Seeing the sacks of malt and the bags of hops makes you appreciate the liquid in your glass a lot more.
Common misconceptions about Camden Brewery
Some people think that since they were bought by AB InBev (the Budweiser people) back in 2015, the quality has dropped. Honestly? I haven't seen it. If anything, the influx of cash allowed them to build their massive carbon-neutral brewery in Enfield and keep this original Camden site as a "playground" for the brewers.
The Camden site is where the soul is. The Enfield site is where the volume is. By splitting the work, the Camden Town Brewery Beer Hall gets to stay weird and local. They still host community events, they still support local artists, and the beer still tastes like London.
Practical details for your visit
- Location: 55-59 Wilkin Street Mews, London NW5 3ED.
- Transport: It’s about a five-minute walk from Kentish Town West (Overground) or ten minutes from Camden Town (Northern Line).
- Payment: It’s a cashless venue. Don't be the person trying to hand over a twenty-pound note at the bar. It’s awkward for everyone.
- Accessibility: The main hall is on the ground floor and is accessible, though it can get very crowded, which makes navigating a wheelchair a bit of a challenge during peak hours.
Actionable next steps
If you’re planning to visit, don't just stick to the Hells. Start with a flight of four different beers to figure out what you actually like. Ask the staff what’s new in the Arch 55 series—they actually know their stuff and can tell you the flavor profile of the hops used that week.
Check their social media before you go; they often have "Tank Parties" where they tap a fresh tank and offer discounts or host live music. It's the best way to see the space at its most chaotic and fun. If you want a quieter experience, Sunday afternoons are the move. Grab a roast or a big plate of sausages, get a slow pour of Pale Ale, and watch the trains go by. It’s the most London thing you can do.
Go to the mews. Find the arch. Drink the beer. It’s that simple.