Albion Brewery Bar, Northampton

An old re-converted brewery (Phipps NBC). Very impressive and over two rooms. Main room has vaulted ceiling, reclaimed old furniture, loads of Phipps breweriana. There is a dedicated games area with bar billiards and Northants skittles. Behind the traditional bar (reclaimed fittings) via an oak and glass partition is the in-house brewery which also doubles-up as a function room, 8 pumps, with 7 ales and a cider. All the ales were theirs bar one from Twisted Brewing Co. I tried the Stout and the Red and both were highly tasty and in excellent shape. Was exclaiming to Desmond just how good this place was when a voice piped-up saying ‘glad you like it!’ and he turned out to be the proprietor who was holding court. A jolly nice chap he was too and we chatted to him for 5 minutes. This is an absolute corker and is also two minutes from the Malt Shovel, a pub to which this is now a serious contender for ‘best in show’ in Northampton. 9.5

Official site of The Albion Brewery Bar - www.phipps-nbc.co.uk