RTW 2023

Date: 16 December 2023 Round the World

Sampled by: ROC, KOC, RN, PV, GP and Mark Gleeson from Aldershot; JA & Jack from Brixton; Colm OC joining at London Beer Lab

While five from Aldershot carried on to Waterloo and the Underground to Stockwell, ROC alighted at Clapham Junction for the bus to Brixton.

Due to the late arrival at Waterloo the tube group arrived at the first venue a little later than planned to find ROC, JA & Jack waiting outside The Grosvenor (17 Sidney Road, SW9 0TP).

The pub, which is home to Affinity brewery, was due to open at midday but there was no sign of life inside. As it was well past the scheduled opening time, we had no Affinity and headed off to Brixton hoping for better luck with the other venues.

Pub

Location

Post Code

Ghost Whale

70 Atlantic Road, Brixton

SW9 8PX

Comment

This smart venue is primarily a bottle and can shop but does have a few beers on draft which can be sampled on the central table. The cold cabinets lining the two side walls held the large selection of bottle and cans. The Ghost Whale has been open for 7 years and, although they have no associated brewery, they do collaborations with breweries and there were a couple of these available on keg. They also had an Imperial Stout on which most had avoided due to its strength and price. However, Mark generously arranged with the barmaid to supply a small taster for everyone (apart from GP who had already gone for a third!). Resident Culture hail from North Carolina.

Brewer

Beer

%

    

Comment

Unbarred/Ghost Whale

Orange Skies

5.7

K

X

Pale Ale

Beak/Ghost Whale

Friends

8

K

X

Double IPA

Resident Culture

Ego Death Orange Creamsickle 

13

K

X

Barrel Aged Imperial Stout 

Pub

Location

Post Code

London Beer Lab

Arch 41 Nursery Road, Brixton

SW9 8BP

Comment

Ah, back under the railway arches. London Beer Lab’s main 15 barrel plant is now at Loughborough Junction but they have retained a small plant at the taproom, which they use for experimental brews (under the Nano brand) and for brewing courses. There are 21 taps available with LBL/Nano beers dominating the list.

The taproom was furnished with the usual collapsible tables and benches but was dominated by the tap wall. Colm joined us here.

There was a group upstairs bottling the beer brewed on their course; a very pleasant 8% stout.

Brewer

Beer

%

    

Comment

London Beer Lab

Brixton Haze

5

K

X

New England IPA

London Beer Lab

Nursery Stout

8

K

X

Milk Stout

Pub

Location

Post Code

Brixton Brewery Taproom

Arch 548 Station Road, Brixton

SW9 8PF

Comment

This venue is not included on the ‘Lazy Scientist’ Brixton Beer Trail, but as we were passing it would be rude not to call in. GP had missed our disappearance but soon caught up. It was a typical tap, smart décor with high tables and chairs. So also typically uncomfortable. Of course they were mainly Brixton beers but they did have a couple of guests.

Brewer

Beer

%

    

Comment

Brixton

Atlantic

5.4

K

X

Fairly ordinary APA

Arbor

Cherry Chocolate Stout

6

K

X

All in the name

The three venues tried so far had been close together but the next was a bit of a walk to the end of Coldharbour Lane.

Pub

Location

Post Code

Friendship Adventure

245a Coldharbour Lane, Brixton

SW9 8RR

Comment

For a change, not an arch but a repurposed Victorian factory; all nice ironwork and high ceilings. It was a big cavernous place and for the first time the brewing equipment was very apparent. Due to its size it was rather cold, but the beer and staff were friendly enough. JA & Jack left us here.

Brewer

Beer

%

    

Comment

Friendship Adventure

Headliner

5

K

X

New England Pale

Friendship Adventure

Vigil

4.5

K

X

London Porter

Pub

Location

Post Code

Craft Metropolis

Arch 263, 241 Coldharbour Lane, Brixton

SW9 8RR

Comment

The tour notes indicated this place was difficult to find….and they were not wrong; it was in an arch down an alley following the railway, linking Coldharbour Lane and Milkwood Road. It was closed when we arrived but the barmaid came out and said she would open shortly. It was worth the short wait as the beer choice was excellent.

Brewer

Beer

%

    

Comment

Verdant

What Are Dreams Made Of?

8.4

K

X

DIPA

Anspach & Hobday

London Black

4.4

K

X

Porter

Verdant

Burnt House

5.5

K

X

Porter

Pub

Location

Post Code

Clarkshaws

Arch 497 Ridgway Road, Brixton

SW9 7EX

Comment

We had saved the best until last. The ‘taproom’ consisted of a couple of tables at the front of the brewery equipment and was staffed by the brewer, Ian Clark. There was only one beer on tap but he opened a 5 litre can of another for us to try. The smoked porter used Weyermann malt. Our party took up much of the available space but we made room for two fellow beer tourists. It was all very interesting and we really enjoyed the visit to this micro-brewery.

Brewer

Beer

%

    

Comment

Clarkshaws

Smokey Dokey

5

K

X

Smoked porter

Clarkshaws

Bunny Hop

3.8

K

X

Pale Ale

We had spotted a bus stop near Friendship Adventure with buses to Brixton. So we travelled back to Clapham by omnibus but didn’t meet the man. We called into The Falcon, mainly for a piss, before heading up to the station and the train home.