Although Sambrook’s Brewery has only been in existence since 2008 when there were just a handful of other leading brewers in the capital, to still be standing over 10 years later is proof that they do things well here.

Tucked amongst housing and industrial estates between Battersea and Wandsworth and also a stone’s throw from one of London’s hidden rivers, the Wandle, nods to the local area and company heritage are what this brewery is all about. Named after the owner, Duncan Sambrook, their core beer called Wandle (tastes better than the waterway) and in the summer, the stunningly flowery Lavender Hill, named after the nearby main road.

Off the beaten track the Sambrook’s taproom definitely is, but they do plenty to put themselves on the beer lover’s map. Running clubs & brewery tours every month and open days from spring onwards make here definitely worth a visit. Even before discovering this flowing fountain of beer at source, Sambrook’s was one of my favourite breweries – I always make a beeline for it when I see it being served around town – and they won the Champion Beer of Britain in 2017 amongst other awards, all of which the certificates line the walls on the staircase here leading up to the cosy, snug taproom, which overlooks where the magic happens.

It’s been quiet on many a visit of mine here but that just adds to the feeling that you have the place – a brewery, of all places – all to yourself, which, in my book, sounds perfect.