Howling Hops Tank Room, E9

Already well described, The Howling Hops Tank Room is just that. There are ten floor to ceiling beer tanks behind the long bar in this former warehouse each dispensing a different beer which is fed in directly from the brewery which operates behind. There's also another, smaller bar to the left for anything other than beer and Billy Smokes barbecue in the corner although on our visits the cooking was being done outside where there are more tables. I liked the industrial feel of the place which has been cleverly configured to house both the brewery, which is a real feature, and the customer area, which has been well designed to make it feel much more comfortable than might be expected in a building like this. It's obviously a trendy spot at the moment but the service was very friendly and knowledgable with any tasters freely offered and an invitation given to have a good mooch around the brewery and ask any questions. It's by no means a victim of it's current popularity. Beers available in the labelled tanks were all Howling Hops: Rye Wit, Ruby Red, Pale XX No2, Aussie Pale, Howling Pils, Pale Ale XX No1, UTO Double Black IPA, American Brown, Double Chocolate Coffee Toffee Vanilla Milk Porter and West Coast Special IPA. Our lunchtime visit found some of these unavailable but a subsequent evening visit a week or two later and all beers were present and correct. As mentioned, the beer is served in 2/3rd glasses and is very fresh. Everything we tried over the two visits was very good and in excellent, fresh condition although gassier than traditional cask which slowed down consumption a little. The Porter deserves a special mention as being one of the best, if not the best, of this style that I've tried. It really was excellent. A top spot with great beer.

Not as enthusiastic about this place as BF.Bit of a beer hall feel or a big shed feel.Industrial building but too much like industrial drinking.Scruffy ,peeling paint interior with an ugly bar.Same prices for beer as PS post but a sign said half pints sold but at the same price as 2/3 £2.90.(yes please can I have less beer for the same price.Hope this doesn't catch on.Did notice the gouges in the floor.Interesting.Three superb beers from Howling hops were sampled.Damn the choc toffee vanilla stout had run out.