The Fox & Hounds, E7

A Craft Union pub so I had a good idea of what to expect, after causing a slight kerfuffle by entering the pub through locked doors that obviously weren't very well locked and and got myself a few looks, I picked my way through a couple of tables seated with local "characters" I made to the bar to find two handpumps bereft of any pump clips so was left with a rather standard keg lineup and went for the most exotic beer I could find, Birra Moretti which to be fair was ok as far as it goes. As mentioned the pub was full of local characters and as such it serves a good purpose but for me my days spent in such pubs are long gone. I left by the correct door.

Official site of The Fox & Hounds - www.craftunionpubs.com

Official site of The Fox & Hounds - www.craftunionpubs.com

Fairly basic one-roomed locals' pub, with a central island bar and traditional furnishings. Beer garden at rear. Sadly, at time of visit the two draught ales (London Pride and Doom Bar) were completely undrinkable.

There were two real ales on in here – London Pride and Adnam’s Lighthouse (£1.80 a half), plus Old Rosie Cider on handpump and a reversed clip on a fourth handpump. There was no sign of food at around 5.0 PM Wednesday evening. This looks like a locals' boozer judging by the early evening clentele in there when I visited. There’s a matchboard panelled canted bar counter, with a very rare (in London anyway) stone spittoon trough surrounding it. These are clearly original features. The single room pub is carpeted, is furnished entirely with normal tables and chairs, and is decorated in a “brewer’s rustic” style with batons on the walls interspersed with rough plastering. There are old black and white photographs of the local area on the wall as well. This struck me as a simple unpretentious pub. There’s nothing special about it at all, which in a perverse sort of way makes it a bit special. I liked it, even though the ale selection wasn’t particularly inspiring.

A bit rough round the edges. A central island bar serves a standard draught selection.

This is a nice enough pub with an island bar and local feel even though it is on the main road by Forest Gate Tube. At the front of the pub there is some seating and a TV on a stand next to a small stage area which is used for live music on Saturday nights. At the rear of the pub there is a pool table and a plasma screen which is used for showing Sky Sports and daytime TV in the afternoon. I found the service to be friendly and my pint of Guinness was well served. There is a small garden out the back with a covered area by the back door. I would have no problem drinking in here again.