Howling Hops Brewery & Tank Bar

United Kingdom

"There's nothing like fresh beer straight from the tank."

Which brewery to visit in London?

If you are planning a trip to London and wondering which brewery to visit, looking beyond the city center can be especially rewarding. During our visit to London in October, we made it a priority to include a brewery tour in our itinerary.

After reaching out to several English breweries, Howling Hops was the first to respond, and their enthusiastic reply immediately caught our attention. The decision was quickly made: we would head to Hackney Wick in northeast London, an area known for its creative energy and growing craft beer scene.

Thanks to London’s public transport system and the convenient Oyster card, we reached Hackney Wick station in just 20 minutes from King’s Cross. Once an industrial zone, Hackney Wick has undergone significant transformation in recent years. The construction of the London Stadium for the 2012 Olympic Games marked a turning point for the area. Today, the stadium sits within Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and serves as the home of West Ham United Football Club.

The neighborhood is a clear example of urban regeneration and gentrification, with modern apartment complexes rising alongside old warehouses. Many of these former industrial buildings now double as impressive backdrops for vibrant street art, attracting local artists and creative entrepreneurs. As a result, Hackney Wick is now packed with independent coffee shops, lively pubs, creative studios, and most importantly for beer lovers, several excellent London craft breweries.

Breweries in Queen's Yard, Hackney Wick

One of the first breweries to establish itself in Queen’s Yard was CRATE Brewery. Located directly on the canal, it is a highly popular spot, especially in warmer months. While CRATE serves a wide selection of beers and excellent pizzas, there is no brewing equipment on site. Upon asking, we learned that the beer is brewed off-site. Although the atmosphere and food are appealing, we were hoping for a brewery with active brewing facilities.

Fortunately, on the other side of the same large former factory, once home to a major confectionery manufacturer, we found Howling Hops Brewery, which has been operating in Queen’s Yard since 2015. This was the brewery we had come to see.

We visited on a Wednesday around lunchtime, which is not the busiest time for a brewpub. As expected, the space was fairly quiet. According to the staff, evenings and weekends are much livelier. A handful of people were enjoying drinks outside in the late autumn sunshine. Inside it was still quiet in the bar, which was already decorated in Halloween style.

For us, this turned out to be an advantage. The quiet setting gave us the perfect opportunity to explore the brewpub at our own pace and take a closer look at the brewery itself, an ideal experience for anyone interested in the brewing process as much as the beer. 

What exactly is a Tank Bar?

Brewer Sam kindly invited us behind the scenes to see the brewery, which is cleverly hidden behind large stainless steel tanks separating the bar area from the brewing space. Although the brewing area itself is relatively compact, the layout is highly efficient. All equipment is thoughtfully integrated into the space, creating a streamlined production setup. The brewery operates with a brewing system from Bavarian Brewery Technologies, an installation we have rarely come across so far.

What truly sets Howling Hops apart is the way the beer is served. At a tank bar, the taps are directly connected to the stainless steel tanks positioned behind the bar, spanning an impressive ten meters. This means the beer is poured straight from the tank into your glass, without pasteurization or filtration. The result is exceptionally fresh beer with maximum flavor and aroma, which explains the name tank bar.

During our visit, we enjoyed a Session Pale Ale (Tropical DeLuxe), naturally served as a full pint. The half liter disappeared quickly… With ten tanks connected to the bar, guests can choose from a wide variety of beer styles, ensuring there is something for every craft beer enthusiast.

Food is also an important part of the experience. A chef with Colombian roots runs a small kitchen, serving a range of Latin American–inspired dishes. From nachos, tacos, and burritos to burgers. Flavorful food that pairs perfectly with the fresh tank beer.

Hackney and its surroundings

Hackney and the surrounding neighborhoods offer plenty of options for craft beer enthusiasts. In addition to CRATE Brewery and Howling Hops in Hackney Wick, beer lovers can also head a little further north to Hackney Central, where Hackney Church Brew Co. is located. Unfortunately, the brewery and taproom were not yet open when we arrived, and photography was also off the table. Perhaps it will be more accommodating on our next visit to London. Five Points Brewing Company, another well-known Hackney brewery that we simply did not have time to visit is definitely on our list for a future trip.

Hackney is one of London’s most multicultural and vibrant areas. The neighborhood is filled with vintage clothing shops, independent bakeries, bookstores, lively pubs, and a wide range of international restaurants and street food options. Popular spots such as Broadway Market add to the area’s lively atmosphere and make it a great place to explore on foot. An added bonus is affordability. We enjoyed lunch here for a noticeably lower price than a comparable meal in central London, a familiar advantage in any major city. The takeaway is clear: if you want to experience London like a local, leave the city center behind and explore neighborhoods like Hackney.

Updated: 05-02-2026