Where to find the best Guinness in London – and how to spot a bad one

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Finding a respectable pint of Guinness in London can all too usually be a disappointing quest, from bitter or bitter to poorly poured pints in plastic cups with bubbly heads. Some even say London is the place Guinness goes to die.

For those that really feel they need to at the very least take pleasure in consuming the pint they’ve paid ludicrous costs for, right here’s a small, non-exhaustive and open-ended record of London pubs the place you’re roughly assured a delicious pint of what my pals and I name Guinny Jones.

I’d like to add a disclaimer that I’m not an skilled – although I’m a quarter Irish and have taken the Guinness manufacturing unit tour in Dublin – I simply actually, actually like a good pint.

So, I spoke to Ian Ryan, who runs an Instagram account devoted to the capital’s crimes towards the black stuff (@shitlondonguinness) and although he isn’t precisely brief on blasphemous submissions, he’s additionally received a lot of perception into what makes a good pint and the place to find it. Plus, Ryan introduced a e book on the matter final October, A Beautiful Pint: One man’s seek for the excellent pint of Guinness – he cares about the trigger.

Before we get to the pubs, right here’s what we’re in search of in a pint.

Texture: it ought to have a texture that withstands the “tilt test”, in case you tip your glass barely to the facet and the head begins dripping down the facet, it’s too watery. It ought to rise simply above the fringe of the glass in an oh-so-satisfying method.

Taste: Guinness has a malty sweetness and bitter hoppines, but it surely shouldn’t be too bitter, nor ought to it’s bitter. It must be wealthy and creamy, with slight aromas of espresso. If it tastes metallic, run for the hills.

Head: a good pint of Guinness wants that signature creamy head. Ideally, it’ll be domed and round three-quarters of an inch. This is crucial for stability and flavour. Also, if the head is plagued by bubbles, it means it hasn’t been correctly aerated and will virtually positively style bad.

Pour: in accordance to Guinness Storehouse it ought to, in fact, be in a Guinness or milk stout glass – it’s simply improper consuming out of a Stella or Beavertown. It ought to then be poured at a 45-degree angle up to the harp and then left to accept at the very least a minute, however up to two if doable. It’s completed by topping up with the glass held straight.

Red flags: in accordance to Ryan, any form of bubbles in the head are a large no-no. “Also, if you walk into a pub and no one is drinking Guinness, it could be a sign of bad things to come…”

The Auld Shillelagh, 105 Stoke Newington Church Street, London, N16 0UD

This Irish pub is most die-hard Guinness fan’s favorite London institution, Ryan included. It appears to be like tiny and unassuming from the outdoors however its slender inside stretches far again into a surprisingly spacious backyard. They have stay music, nice craic and, in fact, excellent pints of Guinness. The best factor about the Shillay is that it doesn’t attempt too laborious, which implies it finally ends up completely nailing the pub formulation. The Irish Times even named it the “most authentic Irish pub in the world outside Ireland”. If that doesn’t persuade you, I don’t know what’s going to.

The Globe, 20 Morning Lane, London, E9 6NA

A pub the place you’ll be able to take pleasure in Spoons costs with out Spoons guilt, The Globe is a native’s pub via and via, however they’re additionally extremely welcoming to newcomers. They’ve received stay sports activities, pool, darts, karaoke, stay music and pints of Guinness that move the take a look at at round the £4 mark, for zone 2, that’s virtually unparalleled.

The Coach and Horses, 42 Wellington Street, London, WC2E 7BD

Not removed from Covent Garden piazza, The Coach and Horses is simply far sufficient off the crushed monitor to not be inundated as most pubs in central are. This one-room Irish pub was as soon as voted as the best Guinness in Britain by The Irish Post, plus additionally they promote scorching roast beef sandwiches.

Gibney’s London, 70 City Road, London, EC1Y 2BJ

Staying open till 2am on a Friday, Gibney’s is an Irish pub primarily based in the coronary heart of Shoreditch. Upstairs they’ve “inventive small plates, Irish meats cooked over the open flame, fresh seafood and more from chef Richard Corrigan”, whereas downstairs they’ve Shit London Guinness-approved pints.

The Cock Tavern, 23 Phoenix Road, London, NW1 1HB

An unpretentious pub that prides itself on not being stylish, The Cock Tavern is a delight for each locals and vacationers due to its proximity to Euston. Described by one reviewer as an “oasis of humour, personality and character” in the large metropolis and endorsed by SLG, this rough-and-ready institution is aware of how to pour a pint and present good occasions.

The Sheephaven Bay, 2 Mornington Street, London, NW1 7QD

An “Irish bar with a conservatory, beer garden and no less than seven plasma screens for showing sports”, The Sheephaven Bay is well the best Guinness in Camden. Lively ambiance and pleasant employees, what’s not to like?

The Kenton Pub, 38 Kenton Road, London, E9 5BA

Most of the pubs listed have unsurprisingly been of the Irish selection, so to throw a curve ball into the combine is the Kenton, a Norwegian pub in Hackney. There’s a great deal of cosy nooks and crannies, occasional DJs on a Saturday and the implausible employees all satisfaction themselves on pouring a correct pint. I requested basic supervisor Morgan Ryan about what the secret to serving nice Guinness is: “There’s not really a trick to it if you’ve ever poured a pint. Don’t buy old kegs, don’t store them badly and don’t have dirty ass lines.”