In a country known for its love of a tipple there’s not a shortage of beer and ale festivals, and at the age of 28 this one’s a mainstay on the Camden calendar. The Camden Centre will again play host to the annual London Drinker Beer and Cider Festival offering more than 70 real ales as well as a great range of imported beers and ciders.

The 28th London Drinker Beer and Cider Festival
To be held at Camden Centre, Bidborough Street, WC1H 9AU from 7-9 March 2012. Wednesday-Thursday 12 - 3pm (free), 5pm-10.30pm (£3.50, £2.50 CAMRA members). Friday 12-10.30pm (£3.50, £2.50 CAMRA members).
camranorthlondon.org.uk

But what to do it you can’t make the festival and want to get your teeth stuck into the best ale on offer in the borough? Why not head to one of the below pubs – we’re sure they’ll happily wet even the most discerning of palettes.

Southampton Arms
Their website says it all: “As far as we know we are the only dedicated ale and cider house in London to sell only beers and ciders from small independent UK breweries.” Having opened in its current form in 2009, the pub has at least ten ales on tap and almost as many ciders. You'll find no big breweries or mass produced lager here. Plus, the pub was awarded CAMRA Best Regional Pub for 2011 so the news is spreading quickly about this little gem.
thesouthamptonarms.co.uk

Bull & Last
This cosy mainstay is located just off Hampstead Heath. The historic pub is housed in a Grade 2 listed building has recently been given a new lease of life by a young and passionate team whose aim is to provide outstanding seasonal food and great service while retaining a traditional pub atmosphere. This pub was also won the Observer Food Monthly Awards 2011 for best Sunday lunch.
thebullandlast.co.uk

Pineapple
Tucked away in a maze of backstreet terraces, this justifiably popular pub sits conveniently out of earshot of the Kentish Town bustle. The bar serves ales from Adnams, Redemption and Sambrook's join Leffe, Beck's Vier and Staropramen, and hosts beer festivals each Easter to further extend the choice. There’s also a selection of Thai food on offer should you feel peckish.
timeout.com/london/bars/pineapple

The Junction
Majestic on the outside and welcoming on the inside, the Junction holds both an international beer festival each year, as well as separate local ale month featuring ales brewed within a 30-mile radius of the pub. Five hand pumps on the bar pull ales from Sambrook's, Windsor & Eton, Fullers, Redemption, Twickenham Fine Ales, Brodies Beers & Meantime Brewery.
junctiontavern.co.uk

The Lord Palmerston
On the corner of Dartmouth Park Hill and Chetwynd Road you’ll discover a large quirky Victorian building that houses a hidden gem of a gastro pub, The Lord Palmerston. You’ll find guest ales on offer and it’s been described as the perfect place to kick back, grab the paper and mingle with the local dog walkers off Parliament Hill. An added bonus? Every Tuesday is film night in the club room.
thelordpalmerston

Tapping the Admiral
Just between the coasts of Camden Town and Kentish Town lies a sweet spot. Anchored in Castle Road, Tapping the Admiral is a haven specialising in cask and bottle conditioned ale, cider, perry, good wine and artisan spirits. The pub also has Thai lunch for a fiver – you can’t beat that. And to add a cherry to the cake why not try this month’s special ale, the gingery gorgeousness of the Dark Star Winter Meltdown.
tappingtheadmiral.co.uk

The Euston Tap and Cider Tap
The Euston Tap’s objective is not about stocking the wackiest beers from around the world but a mission to bring Londoners the best craft beer available. The owners have no brewery affiliations and are free to focus on selecting the best beers possible, with a hefty eight rotating cask ales available. And this venue provides a double whammy as you’ll find the Cider Tap just across the road
eustontap.com

BrewDog
Scotland’s largest independent brewery is a one-off in Camden Town. Just a stone’s throw from the tube station, BrewDog bar adds a very different kind of vibe to an area that’s typically associated with a mix of indie drinking dens and live music venues. Set over two floors, each stripped back with an unforgiving edginess that's befitting of some very hardcore beers and ales.
brewdog.com

The Bree Louise
Recommended by Adam Edwards via facebook, this gem in Euston was CAMRAs pub of the year in 2009/2010. As well as serving a wide range of ale and cider, you can also tuck into one of their award winning pies.
69 Coburg Street, NW1 2HH
thebreelouise.com