Beers Available in England?

I've heard awesome things about The Kernel.

 

If you're after typically British style beer then Kernel aren't the best choice. Something commonly bought in bottles there is Timothy Taylor's Landlord. I always bring back a few bottles to Korea so I know it travels well. Otherwise, it's more a case of which ones to avoid.

 

London is right now one of the best beer cities.. Probably following are not available in "typical English liquor store", but I have to mention The Kernel as well. Awesome, awesome IPAs, maybe almost the best in the world, really. Also Partizan, Brew by Numbers, By the Horns, Brodies, Pressure Drop, Rocky Head, Weird Beard.

 

Most of our 1200 or so breweries don't bottle their beers so much of the "best" won't be available to take home.
I don't see any point in taking home American influenced or style beer; you have plenty of that already!
Tim Taylor's Landlord has already been mentioned. Adnam's Broadside is a decent drop too. But the real glory of our brewing lies outside what comes in a bottle.

 

I'd say avoid the following bottled beers, not because they're completely shit, but because they're not worth carrying accross the pond:

Brains Reverend James Ale (I may catch some flak for this one)
Greene King IPA
Deuchars IPA
Marston’s Pedigree
Greene King IPA
Old Speckled Hen
Newcastle Brown Ale (goes without saying)

Otherwise, fill your baskets.

 

As predicted.
Reverend James, even in bottle, is a pretty decent example of a good old fashioned brown bitter. In fact I prefer it to a hell of a lot of the "new wave" beers which all have a sameness and single dimensionality to them.

 

Agreed that GK deserves a double mention.

 

Beers like Landlord and Broadside are available in the US.

Since OP is asking for the top bottled beers available around London, I’d recommend The Kernel, Partizan, Beavertown, Brew By Numbers, and Siren. However, you’re unlikely to find their bottles at a regular off license or supermarket. Your friend would need to go to a specialty beer shop.

 

What part of England will be be in? Bottle shops are less of a thing over here, or at least decently stocked bottle shops are.

Edit- just saw the London bit.

Central London is WOEFULLY under-served by bottle shops.

Royal Mile Whiskies in Bloomsbury, Sourced in St Pancras Station, Kris Wines in Kentish Town (bit of a schlep).

Brewdog are opening one soon'ish. I also heard from a couple of well informed sources that another central London one is in the works. Although I was hammered at the time and can't remember the details.

 

Landlord is not available everywhere in the USA. The OP must determine if it is CA. Wonderful beer.

 

If your trip takes you to the Bristol area, please swing into pubs around Bath. They won't send you home with anything, but what an education on English vs. British beers...
Oh, and damn near every pub are named George V...go figure.

 

Landlord is really easy to find in California.

 

Unfortunately for me, not in MI.

 

So the Kernel London Porter and Export stouts aren't typically British ?

 

If they smack of American hops like the rest of their stuff does then they're barely any more British than your average Californian-made stout.

 

I'd argue that most "typically British" beer is pretty shit (relatively speaking) when in bottled form. As Jim says he enjoys pretty much anything I don't see the problem with just getting some really good beer, whether it's sort of similar to some beer he can get at home or not.

I'd agree with Kernel, Brodies and Partizan, and add Five Points and Beavertown.

Sourced Market St. Pancras will have a decent range of London beers, with a few other English ones. If your friend likes expensive but nice local produce, cured meats etc, it's also a good place for them to stop by if they're near. Royal Mile Whiskies would be the place to go for some Scottish beers (Cromarty, Tempest, Fyne all worth a try) as well as a few London ones.

 

Maybe you should try one before passing comment on whether they smack of hops or not or if thats too much effort google 'kernel London export stout'.

 

Well, it really is Brains you want, in Wales. I miss Young's Oatmeal Stout and London Special for general distribution. Sam Smith is solid, but I know that new beers are emerging everywhere that move into different terrain. I have loved Shepherd Neame brews when I have been able to get them, but the exported Coniston Bluebird Bitter was always a favorite. Many Americans haven't had the fresh local beers featuring great grain- no matter what the hops will end up doing perfectly- that they only worry about the hops and not the "beer". I do know that a great number of British beer enthusiasts would love what is currently happening here in the US.