The most expensive beers in London: From the Rake to the Ritz

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Harry Fletcher4 September 2018

Last week, it was reported that London is home to the most expensive pint of beer anywhere in the UK, and the price is truly astronomical.

The Craft Beer Co., who admittedly run some of the capital’s finest craft beer pubs, are charging an eye-watering £22.50 for one ale — enough to make any seasoned beer-drinker go weak at the knees.

It’s just one of the incredibly expensive pints available in London’s priciest drinking establishments and by no means an anomaly.

While the average price of a pint in the capital reportedly costs £5.20, many top-end bars in the city come close to tripling that price.

From hotels to Mayfair cocktail bars, these are the most expensive beers in London.

The Craft Beer Co.

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It was the AleSmith Speedway Stout made headlines recently, after it went on sale at The Craft Beer Company for a staggering £22.50. The 12 per cent US beer is also served in third of a pint measures at the chain’s various locations across London. The stout is made with Hawaiian Blue Mountain Coffee and has a thicker-than-usual consistency — only the curious (and monied) need apply. Incredibly, the chain also sell a bottle of beer from AleSmith brewery for a mind-boggling £105. Don't drink it all at once, is our advice.

Various locations across London, thecraftbeerco.com

The Rake

The Rake in Borough Market sells Cloudwater’s North West Double IPA in thirds of a pint, working out at £13.40 for a full pour. The beer, which is brewed in Manchester and comes in at a considerable 8.2 per cent. Luckily, the Rake is well stocked with a range of great beers at more affordable prices.

Borough Market, 14A Winchester Walk, SE1 9AG​

The Connaught

The Connaught's award-winning mixologist, Agostino Perrone
The Connaught

Einstok Pale Ale is the only beer to be found on the bar menu at the Connaught, one of the most luxurious hotels in Mayfair. Brewed just 60 miles south of the arctic circle, this refreshing, hoppy beer is infused with subtle toffee flavours. It can be yours for £11.

Connaught, Carlos Pl, W1K 2AL, the-connaught.co.uk

The Rivoli Bar at the Ritz

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The Rivoli Bar at the Ritz is something of an institution and one of best hotel bars in the capital. It’s only appropriate then, that they charge pretty liberally for the pleasure of drinking there. 330ml bottles of Green and Pleasant, Saltaire Brewery Stout and Meantime London Pale Ale, normally costing around £4, are available at £10 a pop.

The Ritz London, 150 Piccadilly, W1J 9BR, theritzlondon.com

Coburg Bar

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The other bar in the Connaught, the Coburg Bar serves 330ml bottles of the premium Ola Bubh Special Reserve for £9. The beer, a dark porter, is hugely characterful though, with time spent ageing in oak casks adding undertones of truffle, peat and cocoa.

16 Carlos Pl, Mayfair, W1K 2AL, the-connaught.co.uk

Claridge's

Getty Images

Claridge’s bar is known more for its fabulous champagne, rather than it’s beer. The setting is one of the most refined in Mayfair, but stopping by for a Curious IPA, a Curious Brew or a Pilsner Urquell - normally a relatively affordable option - will cost you a hefty £9.

Claridge's, Brook St, Mayfair, W1K 4HR, claridges.co.uk

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