The best craft beer in Windermere & the Central Lakes
The Crafty Baa
On my first night in Windermere, I went to The Crafty Baa. I would go back several times during my visit. Not only is it the best craft Beer bar in Windermere, it’s the best beer bar in the entire Lake District. It just might be one of the best in England, period.
The Crafty Baa feels like you’re stepping into someone’s home to drink, which you kind of are. It’s family run by Vincent, Lisa, and Ben Gregg, & the 2-story cozy building is a converted house. I felt immediately welcomed, and the atmosphere only got warmer from there.
As for the beer, The Crafty Baa has 3 taps of their own house draft beer, 6 guest beer taps (including a BrewDog exclusive), 8 cider taps, and then a huge selection of nearly 100 cans & bottles. There’s also plenty of wine & whisky for non-beer drinkers. In the attached Pie & Pint next door (billed as the Smallest Pub in the Lake District), you’ll find 3 casks, as well as pies.
Beyond the beer, The Crafty Baa also has a nice food menu, featuring sandwiches & bar bites. The baked camembert is especially nice.
Despite The Crafty Baa only having opened in 2016, it has been winning awards such as the 2018 AA Pub of the Year while also expanding (as much as the limited space permits). The patio space was especially appreciated, as that summer was seeing a record heat wave. The Lake District is one of the rainiest places in England, so a beer garden might not always be useful, but it’s good that it’s there.
If you’re looking for the Lake District’s best craft beer bar, The Crafty Baa in Windermere should be your first stop.
Location: 21 Victoria St, Windermere LA23 1AB (map)
Beer Ambleside
Beer Ambleside is the best bottle shop in the Lake District.
They offer hundreds of bottles & cans, including beer selections from local & UK breweries such as Cloudwater, Northern Monk, Magic Rock, Wylam, Hawkshead, & Fell.
It’s the perfect place to pick up a reward for after (or during) a hike, or to just sit by a lake & enjoy.
Location: 8 Kelsick Rd, Ambleside LA22 0BZ (map)
Tweedies Bar
Tweedies is a bar & lodge with craft beer in Grasmere. The property has a massive outdoor lawn, perfect for drinking on warm summer days.
The beer selection here is solid. Tweedies has 10 cask ales, but they also have 7 draft taps. For craft beer fans, there are about 50 bottles & cans available, including Cloudwater, Tiny Rebel, Northern Monk, & other British breweries.
Location: Red Bank Rd, Grasmere LA22 9SW (map)
Other craft beer bars & real ale pubs in Windermere & the Central Lakes
In addition to the bars I’ve highlighted above, there are a few other notable craft beer & real ale pubs in the Lake District.
Hole in t’ Wall can be found in Bowness-on-Windermere. A couple of miles outside of Windermere, you’ll find the Watermill Inn & Brewery. Bar eS, in Ambleside & Keswick, has a small craft beer selection. In Ambleside, you can also find the Golden Rule, The Unicorn Inn, & The Lily Bar, while The Wateredge Inn is in nearby Waterhead. The Good Sport is the home of the Grasmere Brewery.
It’s not particularly difficult to find real ale in the towns around the Central Lakes, so I’ve mostly focused on sharing the best Lake District craft beer bars above.
Have you spotted other great places in the Lake District for craft beer? Let me know in the comments!
Do you love craft beer? Check out more of my recommendations for the best craft beer around the world!
Pin this post for later:
The post The best craft beer In Windermere & the Central Lakes, Lake District, England appeared first on Everybody Hates A Tourist.
