Hammerton Brewery, N7

Brewery taproom near the Caledonian Road & Barnsbury station, set in an industrial estate behind a gate that might initially appear to be closed (but of course not during opening hours). The bar is to be found in one unit on the right-hand side, with the food counter at one end, a mezzanine and wooden cask store above and some covered tables out in the yard. The brewery is visible at the other end and other parts of the operation can be found in the units opposite. No cask ale available on this visit unfortunately, but an excellent choice of 18 craft keg beers - including the 'Show Me the Way' DDH Pale (£7.40) - and a cider from the total of 20 taps on the pair of overhead-fed founts.

This is a brewery bar on an industrial estate just outside Caledonian and Barnsbury Station. The bar occupies an older industrial unit than most other similar taprooms, so has a little more character as a result. You enter past a few outdoor benches, passing through plastic sheeting 'doors' into a concrete floored room with a high ceiling that incorporates a few translucent, but filthy, panels that allow a little extra natural light in. The bar is to the rear left and has a decent timber fronted counter and metal frame bar back that looks and feels more pub-like than your average microbrewery taproom. Shelves to left of the servery are stacked with cans for take out, whilst above are some slightly hidden beer boards. Rows of quite long tables with benches in support run through the main body of the room, including a few higher tables near the entrance. To the far right is a kitchen, which was churning out tasty looking pizza, and above the kitchen servery is a barrel storage area with lots of very large, old barrels piled up. Stairs to rear lead up to a mezzanine level with more of the same seating options and views down to the main room below. 80’s pop tunes played in the background and there was a good atmosphere from a surprisingly strong Saturday afternoon crowd. I think I counted thirteen Hammerton beers on keg plus a guest from Windsor and Eton and a cider from Umbrella. After much deliberation, I decided to try the Hammerton City of Cake - a delicious chocolate fudge stout that clocked in at a hefty £4.15 a half. The beer range covered a great number of styles and strengths and was backed up by fridges full of bottles and cans as well. I liked this place, which I thought was quite characterful and almost pub-like, thanks to a well thought through layout, muted lighting and a couple of decent seating areas. The extensive beer selection should ensure that there is something for everyone at the bar and I for one, would welcome the chance to return and sample more of their range.

A large spacious taproom in the unit next to the brewery which can be observed through glass panel doors, plenty of seating inside and out and plenty of beers to choose from on keg and covering most styles, most as you would expect from Hammerton but there were two or three guests as well, I could easily have remained here the whole afternoon such was my enjoyment. Excellent.

Tucked away on a small trading estate to the rear of a residential street and very close to the Caledonian Road, I really enjoyed my short visit to this brewery tap. Despite being in the usual warehouse-type building, the bar and brewery has a very nice interior with plenty of foliage to create a relaxing atmosphere. The bar is in one corner, with a kitchen serving pizzas in an opposite corner and toilets in another corner. Inside seating is spread over two levels, with a mezzanine level overlooking proceedings. There is also plenty of seating outdoors, which is where most people had settled. Beers available were all craft and were all from Hammerton or were collaborations with other breweries. The full list was Hammerton N7, Tuned, Panama Creature, Similar Elk, Booksworth, Hausa, Malus Fruit, Jiddler's Tipple, Tint, Crunch, Resume, Baron H & Zed, Hammerton/Attic The Shy & Hammerton/Vertigo Van Food. The cider was from Umbrella. With a total of 6 dark beers, I could have stayed here for much longer, had we not had a football match to go to! It is a handy 20-25 minute walk from the Emirates Stadium. In fact, it had been doing a roaring trade until about 30 minutes or so before the match was due to kick off! An even larger range of their cans is also available for take out from the bar. With friendly and knowledgeable service and a cosy(ish) drinking environment, this is certainly a place I will return to.