If You're Thirsty For More

Beer Lovers… are you ready??

North, South, East, West, London!

I’m back from another beery quest!

My newest finds, best beers, trendy hangs and some cheeky snacks to keep you going along the way… Sounds good ah??? 
Well if it does then read more…

I’ve been rather busy for the last few months finding the best and newest places to satisfy my beer cravings.

I’ve been to the North, East, West and of course the South of this magnificent city, in order to bring you the finest of London’s newest and best beer hangouts.

So first I venture up to North London, Highbury and Islington to be precise, a short stretch up from the lovely Angel tube station and I’m making my way to find The Taproom.

It was recommended by some North London local friends and is a relatively new craft and cask beer house that opened last July 2013. It was described to me as ‘having loads of beer and right up my street’ so I can barely contain my thirst as I head up towards 163 Upper Street in Islington.

The Taproom Creatively started out as a pop up in 2012, which now has a permanent spot in the very place the vision and dream was created.

It is a truly fantastic and fully dedicated beer haven with the main focus being the back bar with nine cask ales housed in a bespoke glass and chrome stillage with the best local and British ales ready to go, along with a delicious variety of carefully chosen lagers, Pale Ales, Stouts and craft beers. The building is decked out with exposed pipes and striped back brick walls, the occasional artwork by a local artist gives the theme of a Brooklyn warehouse bar. There is a smaller room downstairs for more room to drink, eat and chat, (which also looks as though it could turn into a dance floor on the weekend) but all in all it fits in well with this trendy part of town.

The long bench tables (Imported From Germany) big glass windows and long wooden bar make it a very sociable experience and a great way to get people to chat and share a taster flight of thirds and a beery experience.

They serve some tasty snacks that compliment the beers, the well trained bar tenders will help you chose a bite to eat if you’re not sure what would match?

We tried a selection of Cask and bottle, some of them are as follows; Partridge, by Dark Star Brewery, 4% a classic Bitter and hoppy ale, The Kernel Pale Ale (mentioned before in my previous blog, but always worth another taste) Madness IPA, by Wild Beer Co, 6.8%, west coast hops, warm and dry in flavour. One of my favourites was the Imperial Stout again by Dark Star Brewery, a risky 10.5%, by the bottle, a delicious full packed stout, rich, smooth and long lasting taste of hops and all things good.

The Taproom was a tremendous find and I have already recommended it to many other beer bloggers and friends.

The Average pint will cost between £4-£6 depending on its abv, but you are getting quality, fresh, a high ABV and a few lessons to learn about some fine British beers.

Highly recommended for beer lovers.

4 out or 5 pints.

163 Upper Street, Islington, London, N1 1US

Find out more here www.thetaprooms.co.uk

LPD xx

Still up North…

Next I visited SmokeHouse a fresh new craft beer and grill house from a small pub company called Noble Inn’s, again in the delightful Islington.

Slightly off the beaten track you will be happy to discover this gem and be even happier to call this your local.

With top grill chef Neil Rankin in the kitchen, who helped create Pitt Cue Co and other meaty establishments, this really is a match made in heaven.

Beer and meat, probably my two favourite things in the world and wherever these two things are done well, it will always be a hit with me.

The décor is fresh and simple, with animal heads and horns dotted about and some nice big black boards promoting the beer selection of the day.

I couldn’t believe the piano like back bar, which conceded of over 20 craft beer taps and hand written names, it made an interesting change from the usual over the top beer fonts and pump clips. I took my fancy to a few new Beavertown beers I hadn’t tried, Black Betty, the black IPA, at 7.4%, extremely delicious and drinkable on a sunny day, very dark but light in flavour, hoppy with German malt and The famous Gamma Ray, American Pale Ale, 5.4%, using juicy American hops with a big bold taste and aroma.

Both very good, but rather dangerous on an empty stomach.

Unfortunately I wasn’t able to stay for dinner but did try some homemade beef biltong, this went down so well with the Black Betty.

I really love this place and need to come back ASAP for more beer and dinner.

I need to find a meat and beer loving date???

Lovely place with exciting tastes in food and beer.

I’ll be back before you know it Rankin, tasting your food and adding another section to my blog.

Can’t wait to come back for more!

4 out of 5 pints (but only for Beer)

63-69 Canonbury Road, Islington, London, N1 2DG

Find out more here www.smokehouseislington.co.uk

LPD xx