Smoked by AI · London · people

Fred Waltman

Author · Critic — London beer. Which pubs, taprooms and bottle shops are actually worth the trip, tap counts, and what is in the fridge.

Listed with the critics and writers in London.

Fred Waltman is author and editor of the London Beer Guide (beerguideldn.com), a hand-maintained survey of the city's beer venues that records taps, bottle counts and stations, and carries plain verdicts rather than listings. Long-running, independent, no advertising.

Their own reviews and picks.

Their own judgment, in their own words, by the piece it appeared in.

• London Beer Guide, Cloudwater Tap Room ↗their review · 2026-08-01
  • Cloudwater LondonBermondsey

    “London tap room for the excellent Manchester brewery.”

• London Beer Guide ↗their review · 2026-08-01
  • Earl of EssexIslington

    “Lovely one roomed, light and airy pub close to Angel station.”

• London Beer Guide, Ghost Whale (Brixton) ↗their review · 2026-08-01
  • Ghost WhaleBrixton

    “Another of the rapidly proliferating breed of bottle shop bars, Ghost Whale is one of the best so far in London.”

• London Beer Guide ↗their review · 2026-08-01
  • Howling Hops Brewery and Tank BarHackney Wick

    “Super cool brewery tap with dedicated 'tank bar'.”

• London Beer Guide ↗their review · 2026-08-01
  • The Kernel BreweryBermondsey

    “New purpose built tap room for the excellent Kernel Brewery in Bermondsey”