The Rake, Borough Market, SE1

This one has been pretty thoroughly described by others before me. The single inside room has just three tall and small round tables, with tall stools of course. Luckily they have a bit of outside seating, where you can enjoy the sounds and smells (fishy smells when I was in) of Borough Market next door. Three pumps were clipped when we walked in, but one went off straightaway leaving a stout, and a 5.9% hopbomb called "Shameless" from Red Willow Brewery. No boring brown bitters here, unfortunately. But the Shameless turned out to be superb - I would rank it above the similar ABV Jaipur. Don't think there was any food - at least I didn't see any. This place is certainly worth a punt, but because of its small size it's best to arrive at an off-peak time if you can.

Two handpumps in a boxy bar? As a non belgian-etc drinker, I don't geddit!

A great little bar , always seems to be busy and always something interesting on one of the three handpulls, last Saturday for me it was St Peters Fruit Beer, the most extraordinary grapefruit flavours,its amazing what can be done with hops. Very much a "happening" place and one to visit whenever possible.

One of the original 'craft beer' bars in London, but can be hard to find. I picked the right side street, so we popped in. Handpumps were dispensing Oakham Citra (on good form) and Dark Star Espresso. Companion couldn't believe that beer could be had at 9.2%, so I also got us a third of Hardcore IPA - served at a good temperature and not gassy: please take note Brewdog. That latter point serves to emphasise the pub's interest in 'interesting' beer from around the world, some on tap but mostly bottled. You'll pay a lot for some of them but they know their stuff. It wasn't too busy on our visit but, as a small venue, we took our drinks outside rather than pack into the bar area. I don't visit every time I'm in the area (it can get silly crowded), but I do like to pop in from time to time.