RTW 2014

Date: 20 December 2014 Round the World

Sampled by:

PC, TM, RN, KOC, ROC & PV

The day was dry and bright for this year’s RtW which, lacking any other suggestions was again to London. Fortunately the place is quite big and a totally different itinerary was in prospect. The closure of the overground line between Waterloo East and London Bridge forced us underground and gave some difficulty in getting our bearings when again out into the light. However, once directionality had been achieved it was quite easy following the railway to our opening venue (although walking past 4 breweries without stopping was more difficult – only managed by the thought we would visit them later).

This year’s trip was mainly concerned with visiting the micro breweries located in the railway arches between Bermondsey and London Bridge. There are seven in the ‘Bermondsey Beer Mile’ but our aim was to cover the 5 nearest to Tower Bridge, the other 2 will have to wait. The breweries only open on Saturdays.

Pub

Location

Post Code

Kernel Brewery

11 Dockley Road

SE16 3SF

Comment

As this brewery closes early (2.00 pm) it made sense to start here. Started in 2009 by an ex-cheese maker, this brewery is the oldest on the beer mile and, according to many commentators, the best. Given its reputation we were not surprised to find it very busy and there was no seating left. However we did find a table on which to rest our beers. As with the other taps on this trip beer was served in 2/3 rd pint glasses. Both beers tried were very good and fine examples of the ‘craft’ beer style now prevalent in the micro brewery scene.

Brewer

Beer

%

Price

Comment

Kernel

Pale Ale

5.2

£2.50

Keg

Kohatu, Nelson Sauvin, Mosaic hop

Kernel

Export Stout

7.1

£2.5

Keg

Like unpasteurised Guinness

Pub

Location

Post Code

Brew By Numbers

79 Enid Street

SE16 3RA

Comment

Although busy we were able to squeeze onto a bench with 3 teachers heading in the opposite direction on the BBM – a map and directions were passed on. One of the two cask beers on offer was a Kilimanjaro Porter but PV was restricted to one beer here and this enticing brew remained untried. ROC’s lump of focaccia bread was swiftly devoured. The beers were both unpasteurised and unfiltered.

Brewer

Beer

%

Price

Comment

Brew By Numbers

Session IPA 11/05

4.2

£3.00

Cask

Citra hop

Pub

Location

Post Code

Bottle Shop

128 Druid Street

SE1 2HH

Comment

At last something other than a brewery although this establishment did have three draught beers on as well bottled beer from all over the world. This archway was different in that they had installed a mezzanine floor with ample seating. Although earlier beers were ‘New World’ style, here there was actually a foreign draught beer to try – so most did. Half pints this time.

Brewer

Beer

%

Price

Comment

To Ol

Hundeluftee bajer

5

2.50

Keg

From Denmark

Moor

Dark Alliance

4.5

£2.50

Keg

More muted coffee taste

Pub

Location

Post Code

Anspach & Hobday

118 Druid Street

SE1 2HH

Comment

Both A&H and Bullfinch brewery are located in this one arch. With most of the room taken up with brewing equipment and stores there was very little seating and as all was occupied Mengo had to squeeze in by the bar. With A&H we were firmly back in the ‘New World’ style of beers – very hoppy, almost to the point of astringency. Served in 2/3rds of a pint.

Brewer

Beer

%

Price

Comment

Anspach & Hobday

The Pale

4.4

£3.00

Keg

Citra, Mosaic & Simcoe hops

Pub

Location

Post Code

Bullfinch

118 Druid Street

SE1 2HH

Comment

The black beer choice was between Notorious and Dexter but with the former being 7% we settled for the less pokey serial killer. Being near the bar we had a chance to chat with the enthusiastic brewer, Ryan McLean, but can’t really remember what about.

Brewer

Beer

%

Price

Comment

Bullfinch

Dexter

4.4

£3.00

Keg

Lovely Black IPA

Pub

Location

Post Code

Southwark Brewing

46 Druid Street

SE1 2EZ

Comment

The final brewery of the day and, apparently, the latest one. When chatting to the brewer, Peter Jackson, PV was surprised to hear the brewery had only opened 3 months ago – PV felt he had come across the brewery some time ago elsewhere and had just moved but was obviously mistaken. However, PV was not mistaken over the taste of Potter’s Field Porter – it was very tart. Peter readily changed it for the more palatable Gold. This appeared to be a rather larger arch than previous premises and there was plenty of room for seating. They warmed the cavernous space by steaming the coppers. Beer available in any measure you liked so we stuck with the 2/3rds.

Brewer

Beer

%

Price

Comment

Southwark

London Pale Ale

4

£2.80

Cask

Hoppy with citrus, not for TM

Southwark

Potter Fields

4

£2.80

Cask

Tart and handed back

Southwark

Gold

5.2

£2.80

Cask

Hoppy golden ale

Pub

Location

Post Code

Dean Swift

10 Gainsford Street

SE1 2NE

Comment

This un-spoilt London pub, on a corner site near Butler’s Wharf, serves a mixture of craft and real ale which well suited our demands for foreign keg and British real. Comfortable and welcoming, this pub is well worth a visit. Half pints all round.

Brewer

Beer

%

Price

Comment

Redemption

Trinity

3

Cask

Light and easy drinking

Dancing Duck

Ay Up

3.9

Cask

Pale session ale

Pub

Location

Post Code

Draft House

206-208 Tower Bridge

SE1 2UP

Comment

The opposite of the last pub, this one was remodeled for the modern London drinker, albeit now a bit worse for wear around the edges. Surprisingly few drinkers in when we arrived in the late afternoon. Again a mixture of craft beer and real ale is served. And then home.

Brewer

Beer

%

Price

Comment

Celt Experience

Silures

4.6

Cask

Munich Pale ale