The Hop Inn, Swindon

Facebook page of The Hop Inn - www.facebook.com

Facebook page of The Hop Inn - www.facebook.com

A good sized pub located in the close vicinity of a number of other craft beer type establishments, it looks quite imposing from the outside presenting a large frontage to the road and including some interesting architectural details. Internally it’s a little more conventional and has presumably been renovated at some point, although it’s a little lacking much in the way of character. It’s a reverse L-shape pub, extending some way back on the left, and this also led to a courtyard garden. The flooring is all some sort of wood strip, with a plain whitewashed ceiling, a couple of exposed brickwork pillars and a mixture of deep blue, mustard and pale green paintwork on the walls. There were also various pieces of artwork for sale and quite a few fairly lights strung around, although that may just have been seasonal decorations rather than a regular feature. There was a very good choice of beers on tap which on this occasion consisted of Ramsbury Hop, Milestone Vixen, Atlantic Blue, New Bristol Brewery’s Cinder Toffee Stout, Wantsum 5 Gold Grains, Castle Rock Elsie Mo, Red Willow Vatted Heritage Pale and Arbor Pico Mountain. Ciders were equally well represented including a couple from Snail’s Bank as well as options from Ashover, Cranbourne Chase, Hallet’s and Woolly Pig all served from boxes racked up on the end of the bar, as well as a couple more keg options. Overall, whilst I didn’t take to the style of the pub that much, the excellent drink selection and jovial landlord who was happy to chat to you about the range and offer samples, rather made up for it.

The dreary grey exterior belies the vibrant modern bar like feel within, a good range of seven cask ales available from the eight handpumps, I stayed for a couple of beers while waiting for the icy cold rain outside to subside, I wasn't disappointed with the Magpie Jay IPA followed by a Titanic Plum Porter Grand Reserve. Definitely on the return list.