Windsor to Woolwich – Brewers’ Tour de Thames 2024
The London brewery bike ride celebrated the third annual event with an extended two-day event this year. The journey began on Friday, 21st July, with a scenic route from Windsor & Eton Brewery to Twickenham Fine Ales. The following day, a larger group embarked on a ride from Stag Brewery at Mortlake to Salt’s taproom in Woolwich.
Over the two days, participants cycled past notable breweries such as Two Flints and Indie Rabble in Windsor, Thames Side in Staines, Big Smoke in Esher, Park Brewery in Kingston, Jawbone Brewing, Twickenham Fine Ales, Fuller's Brewery in Chiswick, Sambrook's Brewery in Wandsworth, Battersea Brewery, Mondo Brewing Company, and various breweries in Bermondsey including Southwark Brewing, Mash Paddle Brewery, The Kernel Brewery, Fourpure Brewing Co., and Small Beer Brew Co. Riders also visited historic former brewery sites at Windsor, Staines, Mortlake, Chiswick, Wandsworth, Southbank, Southwark, Horsleydown, and Greenwich.
The group started with three riders on the first day, growing to twelve on the second day, covering approximately 50 km each day. Highlights included an invitation by Michael O’Dwyer, the former Clerk of the Worshipful Company of Brewers, to visit the stunning Hurlingham Club grounds, and a memorable tour of Young's brewing heritage at Sambrook’s, led by John Hatch, who shared his insights alongside Derek Prentice. John Hatch, donned in the traditional brewer’s white coat and tie, was particularly nostalgic for many of our former technical brewers, reminding them of times past when ties were frequently stained with wort or yeast.
Interestingly, the ride highlighted a shift in the brewery landscape along the Thames. With Thames Side’s relocation and Brew by Numbers closing, no brewery currently sits directly on the riverbank—a stark contrast to the past when breweries spanned from Stag Brewery to Southbank and Courage Brewery by Tower Bridge.
The tour also embraced London’s rich history, visiting landmarks such as William Hogarth’s Tomb, William Morris’s Hammersmith home, the Southbank Lion, the Greenwich Meridian, the tea clipper Cutty Sark, and the Thames Barrier, which celebrates its fortieth anniversary this year.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Andy at Thames Side, Billy at Big Smoke, Phil at Park Brewery, Ben at Jawbone Brewing, Alex and Ben at Twickenham Fine Ales, Beverley, Amie, and Guy at Fuller's, Michael at the Hurlingham Club, Duncan and John at Sambrook’s, Todd at Mondo Brewing, Luis at Southwark Brewing, Klaudia and Sara at Fourpure, Michael and Felix at Small Beer Brew Co., and Luke at Salt.
Mark your calendars for next year! The 2025 event is set for Friday, 18th July, from Windsor to Richmond, and Saturday, 19th July, across London. We welcome suggestions to enhance and diversify our route.
The LBA would like to extend its own thanks to Will Calvert of Windsor & Eton Brewery for once again organising the ride and sharing his account with us.
