Against the Grain Taproom, SW17

This is the brewery tap for the By the Horns micro-brewery. It’s situated alongside the brewing operation in a tin shack near the old Wimbledon dog track, and comprises a single room with a small bar counter on the right. There are some tall tables and stools for seating, although there are a couple of benches outside which I guess are for the benefit of smokers. There’s no decor worth mentioning, although you can take a walk out to the back to see some of the brewing operation. You wouldn’t come here for the pub ambience, but probably for the beers. When I was in the other evening they had three of their beers on – Stiff Upper Lip (3.8% ABV) which is a hoppy ale, another hoppy Citra ale, and Lambeth Walk, a stonking 5.5% ABV strong porter. Unfortunately there was no Diamond Geezer on, although I gather that it often is. All beers (including their bottled beers) are £3 a pint, which is good by London standards. As far as I could see they only sell beer – you might be able to get a lager but I wouldn’t put money on it. A cold dry Chardonnay is a non-starter. There’s no food – you couldn’t find anywhere less like a gastropub – but you might be able to buy a pack of peanuts. Opening hours are very limited: Thursday and Friday 5.00 – 10.00 PM; Saturday 12 noon – 6.00 PM. This is a very unpretentious bar, and certainly not a destination pub. But I like By the Horns beers, so am likely to visit again if I can fit in with the restricted hours.