Beer Merchants Tap, Hackney Wick, E9

Not sure whether this was previously an industrial building or a warehouse, but the ground floor now houses a large modern craft beer bar and bottle shop. Slightly split-level seating area in the bar, with at least one more room beyond and outdoor seating areas on two sides. Very diverse selection from the row of 20 keg taps on the bar-back. with Burning Sky's Plateau (£6.00) available from one of the pair of handpumps.

This is a new addition to the area since I was last in Hackney Wick and although I am firmly a traditional pub CAMRA card carrying type of guy, I have nothing against these spacious craft beer barns, in fact I’m quite for them if they are done well, and I considered that this one is. Well described below with plenty of seating inside and out there is a couple of hand pumps on the front of the long bar but the key selling point is the 20 tap wall behind it and a multitude of fridges around two of the walls with bottles categorised by style and regions. A knowledgeable bar keep went through all the dark beer options before I plumped for Fremont Dark Star 8% Oat Meal Stout and the Stilton pork pie was a superb accompaniment. It’s not cheap here and the craft options are mostly at the elevated price points you would expect. Even the solitary Burning Sky cask ale was £6.50 for a 5.4% beer. But all in all I am pleased to add myself to those disagreeing with Mr Fastard and I will certainly return here when next in Hackney Wick.

As described below a large slightly industrial open space with an excellent range of top quality craft keg beers along with a couple of cask being Redemption Trinity and Verdant I Remember Having A Golden Ale. I went keg though Verdant People Money Space Time and an absoloutly gorgeous if not expensive Pohjala Liquid Pinata. So it seems I have a rare disagreement with Mr Fastard, along with Howling Hops Tank Room this is definitely top of my return list in the area.