Getting your beer-fix in the UK isn't a difficult task. But knowing just the right place to visit to ensure all the quality marks of a good beer are checked? That may require some research. TO make things easier for yourself, do take a look at the below listed UK-based merchants that boast impressive beer portfolios.

Ghost Whale

Ghost Whale is a celebrated independent craft beer shop with two locations in Brixton and Putney, recognized as some of the best craft beer retailers in London by the RateBeer Awards. Offering over 500 craft beers, customers can choose to drink in-store or take away, supported by a dynamic tap list featuring constantly rotating draft beers. The Ghost Whale Beer Club offers curated boxes of craft beer delivered monthly or quarterly, ensuring customers always have something new to try. Additionally, Ghost Whale is the first UK bottle shop to offer a Crowler subscription club, allowing customers to enjoy exclusive draft beers at home, with Crowlers sealed and shipped directly from the store.

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Valhalla’s Goat

Valhalla’s Goat offers a spectacular craft beer collection, ranging from bottled beer to canned variants. Their portfolio includes prominent names such as Krombacher, Arbor, and Lacada, providing customers with the option to purchase in bulk or sample a variety of flavours through their selection box.

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Cork & Cask

Established in 2013, Cork & Cask prides itself on a handpicked collection of beers, wines, and spirits. Their beer collection focuses especially on local and Scottish beers, though they also stock an expansive selection of world beers, including rare Belgian and German varieties.

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Beer Merchants

As one of the UK’s first online retail stores, Beer Merchants has been in operation for over two decades. Specialising in British craft beers and Belgian beers, they work directly with producers to offer competitive prices. Their portfolio includes renowned brands like Augustiner and Paulaner, and the site also provides online guides for those interested in learning about the various aspects of what makes a good beer.

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Beers of Europe

With nearly 2,000 beers to choose from, Beers of Europe is one of the most expansive online retail stores, particularly for craft beer. Some of their best sellers include Herforder, Schneider, and Alhambra, catering to a wide array of tastes.

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Beer Shop

Founded in 2021, Beer Shop is the go-to destination for new wave craft beer, traditional ales, and lagers. Their stores feature tap rooms where customers can relax and enjoy their favourite beers in a comfortable setting.

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Beer Merchants Tap

Beer Merchants Tap offers nearly 1,000 craft beer products from around the world. Their portfolio focuses on Belgian and British craft beers, along with an extensive selection of beers from Norway, Germany, Spain, the USA, and more.

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Beermoth Craft Beer Shop

Founded in 2013 and based in Manchester, Beermoth is known for its dynamic and ever-changing portfolio of craft beers. Their selection includes everything from fresh hopped-up IPAs and crushable table beers to puckering lambics and massive imperial stouts.

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UTObeer

UTObeer is an independent specialist beer shop featuring around 700 beers and ciders on display at any given time, primarily sourced from smaller scale and craft breweries. Founded by Mike Hill and Richard Dinwoodie, UTObeer brings great brews from all over the beer-drinking world.

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Clapton Craft

Clapton Craft is a retailer of craft beer, natural wine, cider, and local spirits, with stores in multiple locations including Clapton, Kentish Town, Walthamstow, and more, along with an online shop. They offer a wide range of local, UK, and European beers in cans and bottles, as well as takeaway growlers. The stores also host regular in-store tastings and events.

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Kill The Cat

Established in 2016, Kill The Cat is a craft beer bar and bottle shop that has quickly become one of the most well-known and loved destinations for craft beer in the country. Located on Brick Lane, the bar offers access to a multitude of unique craft beers, IPAs, and lagers, as well as various events and live music shows. Their establishment was awarded the title of Most Loved Local Bar.

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Caps and Taps

Caps and Taps, owned by Stephanie Palgrave-Elliott and Phillip Palgrave-Elliott, has been a staple in London’s craft beer scene since its inception in 2015. Initially located in Kentish Town, the shop moved to Tufnell Park in 2021. Caps and Taps is known for its carefully curated selection, featuring renowned brands like Helles and Natur Radler, catering to the tastes of craft beer enthusiasts.

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7000 Jars of Beer

7000 Jars is committed to working with producers who prioritise quality and creativity above all else. The store features a selection of beers, wines, and spirits from small, independently run businesses and niche producers worldwide. Specialising in small-batch products not intended for mass markets, 7000 Jars offers a unique shopping experience, where customers can find carefully sourced drinks that are unlikely to appear on supermarket shelves.

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7 Seasons

7 Seasons specialises in offering the freshest beers from independent breweries across the UK, Europe, and beyond. In addition to a wide selection of beers, the shop also stocks carefully chosen wines, ciders, and other beverages. What sets Seven Seasons apart is their no-corkage policy, allowing customers to enjoy drinks in-store at the same price as takeaway. Whether you're a seasoned beer enthusiast or new to the craft scene, Seven Seasons provides a diverse range of options to suit all tastes.

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Beerhive

Founded in 2011 by Peter Sherry in Edinburgh's lively Canonmills area, Beerhive emerged from Peter's extensive experience in the wine and beer industry. This independent merchant offers a curated selection of over 700 craft ales and 500 distinct wines, showcasing a global range of styles. The Beerhive has earned recognition as Scottish Retailer of the Year in 2015 and 2016, and Store of the Year in 2021.

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Micro Beers

Micro Beers is a proudly independent bottle shop and tap room located in East Sheen, London. Specialising in small-batch beers, organic wines, and spirits, the shop offers a selection of over 200 beers, 50 wines, and 25 spirits. With four rotating taps, Micro Beers provides a welcoming space for customers to enjoy top-quality drinks either in-store or at home, complete with growler fill options.

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We Brought Beer

We Brought Beer is an award-winning independent retailer with locations in Balham and Tooting, London. Dedicated to enhancing the beer experience for customers, the store has been recognized as Best Beer Retailer at the Drinks Retailing Awards in 2016 and 2017, and as Best Independent Retailer in Wandsworth in 2015 and 2016. The shop aims to be London’s favourite beer destination, offering a curated selection of the finest brews.

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Beautiful Beers

Beautiful Beers, founded in 2011 by René van den Oort, is an independent shop in East Anglia known for its extensive selection of world-class beers. Stocking over 400 varieties, the store focuses primarily on European brews, with a particular emphasis on Belgian and Dutch beers. Beautiful Beers also features a selection of beers from the USA, New Zealand, Australia, and local East Anglian micro-breweries. Many of the beers have received accolades from CAMRA and praise from notable critics.

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Best of British Beer

Best of British Beer is a proudly independent retailer that exclusively collaborates with UK-based breweries. The team is passionate about discovering and featuring both established and emerging brands from across the country. Customers can opt for monthly subscriptions or choose from three-, six-, or twelve-month plans. Each delivery includes tasting notes and a fun pub quiz, with a promise of no repeats within a twelve-month subscription period.

Image Source: Best of British Beers (Instagram)

These leading beer merchants in the UK continue to shape the craft and premium beer market through their innovative approaches and dedication to quality. By curating diverse and unique selections, these merchants not only meet the growing demand for craft beers but also contribute significantly to the culture of beer appreciation in the UK.

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