Brew York Beer Hall, York

Visited this beer hall last month, and must say I prefer the tap room next door/downstairs. This massive barn of a building was not as comfortable and the noise of the chatter of the huge number of drinkers with the music playing made it a rather unpleasant place to try and have a good time with friends if you wanted conversation. As far as beer goes though it is a mecca with a huge range that can be taken on flights of thirds. Had to go downstairs to buy their cask ales to bring upstairs which was a bind, so if on my own would much prefer the tap room. Definately a place not to be missed while in York though.

A massive barn of a place on the first floor up some very basic steps. As OB says there's nothing in the slightest bit comfortable to sit on. The walls are fairly bare and there were 5 or 6 feral kids running about and shouting on our Sunday afternoon visit. So not in the slightest bit comfortable to sit in either. There may be 40 taps, but only 3 of them are for real ale and 2 of those were off, very disappointing. I had a pint of the only cask ale which was Viking DNA. Ms CAMRA decided to have a tonic water. Not impressed at all on this visit. I rather hope the taproom will be open next time we're here.

Official site of Brew York Beer Hall - brewyork.co.uk

Official site of Brew York Beer Hall - brewyork.co.uk

Located upstairs next to the brewery tap and with its own door this is a big fairly bare and industrial room. Seating is all a bit “firm” on stools and benches. Look out for the multi-colour LED’s the Coke Can and 18th century admiral artwork. At one end is the counter with 40 keg taps, yes 40: on the back wall although to be fair 4 had cider on. Clear pipe work above each tap shows the colour of the beer/cider. The choice is displayed on four big screens in a block, it’s probably best to order by number as in Birmingham’s Welly. You could also play “beer bingo” by picking a random number between 1 & 36. All beer is priced in thirds but I got a pint for a bit less than three times the third price. The beer list alternates with adverts for the brewery and venue. About half the beers were Brew York the others from a range of Yorkshire, German and Belgian brewers. To one side of the counter is a food service area with burgers and other stuff; what on Earth is “pigs head crubeen donut” when it’s at home?