Mondo Tap House, Battersea, SW8

Walking here from Queenstown Road station on a cold, wet, dark evening, passing through monotonous residential and industrial estates, I started to question what exactly I was doing here, but after what felt like an eternity, I finally saw the A-board on the pavement and was able to duck inside this cosy little taproom that adjoins the Mondo Brewery. It’s a simple, rectangular room with a concrete floor, grey walls and a bare brick partitioning wall which screens the bar from the brewery, although several windows allow you to take a peek through to see what’s going on inside. High tables and stools have been formed into a row through the centre of the room, whilst fixed canteen-style benches service the front and left-hand sections of the room and a few upturned barrels and high stools fill in any remaining gaps. Lots of potted plants in the window sills and on various shelves help add a bit of colour to the room and further efforts to create a homely feel include the provision of scatter cushions for the benches, hop-lined ceiling beams and many fairy lights strung around the top of the walls. The servery is to the rear of the room and has a thick, chunky wood counter and bare brick bar back with the beer taps set into the back wall. Merchandise was displayed on a shelf above the bar and a TV screen to one side lists all of the beers currently available. Elsewhere, I spotted a popcorn machine and there was a pillar next to my seat which had been signed by various visiting brewers, with the latest such visitor asking me to move for a minute whilst he added his scribble to the collection. The TV screen listed 13 Mondo brews on keg tap plus a cider, although typically, the beer I chose spluttered its last breath as it was being poured, forcing me to consult the list again. I eventually plumped for a pint of the Little Victories (£5.00) which the friendly barmaid said was an excellent choice and I have to say it turned out to be a very enjoyable pint. This isn’t the easiest place to get to and nor is it likely to attract the traditional cask ale drinker, but as these industrial estate brewery bars go, I thought this place was pretty good. They’ve done well to set up something that has a nice, welcoming, homely feel to it and whilst it’s unlikely I’ll be passing through here again anytime soon, I would nevertheless be more than happy to call in again.

The beers here were all available from taps behind the servery. The available beers were all listed on a large TV screen, and all were available in keg rather than real ale from handpumps. Prices were listed for one-third; two-thirds; and pint measures. Two thirds of a 4.6% APA called Rider was £3, but unfortunately it was served in some poncy oversized wine glass. There was no sign of any food. The tap room has windows along one side looking into the brewery area, and is furnished with loads of uncomfortble furniture - such as barrels with tall stools, a tall and modern metal-framed solid wood and chunky table with tall stools; smaller metal framed tables with old canteen style chairs; and a wooden bench with hessian cushions. It all matched, so was probably quite expensive. There was some loud punk music being played, but perhaps the barman saw me grimacing and took pity on me by putting on some Black Sabbath and turning the volume down. This is everything one expects from a brewery taproom - it's characterless and impersonal, plus there's no real ale. I doubt I'll return.

Finally got my timing right and managed to be in the area when it was opened. Very modern/smart look. Bright and welcoming. Had a nice chat with the young lady behind the bar. Tried two of their beers, very refreshing.

Official site of The Tap House - www.mondobrewingcompany.com

Official site of The Tap House - www.mondobrewingcompany.com