Mad Squirrel Tap, St Albans Central, St. Albans

Always a good welcome here, and always some crazy and strong craft stuff to get stuck into. They have increased the number of taps over the years and also have two hanpumps, one of which usually has one of their own beers. Pleasant outdoor patio area with views of the Abbey.

Standing in the shadow of St Albans cathedral, this is a pleasant, modern brewery bar from the local Mad Squirrel Brewery. The bar has a simple, single room set-up with smart new floorboards that contrast nicely with the timber-clad walls and a dark painted feature wall with some wood-cut style decorative patterns along it. Seating is a mix of rustic high metal framed tables with padded bar stools and some short banquettes and a few chairs, both serving nice, modern tables, whilst ample standing space has been created through the centre of the room. Décor is mostly of a promotional nature, with the most striking example being a large metal squirrel head shaped cut-out on the right-hand wall, but various brewery posters also dot the wall and a pump clip collection is making its way across the ceiling and down the back wall. The bar is in the rear right corner of the pub and has a dark wood counter in front of what looked like a tiled bar back with all of the keg taps lined up along it, above a large slops trough. A large window to the front right looks out to a nice side patio drinking area with several picnic benches and patio heaters and a glimpse or two of the cathedral. More seating was advertised on the first floor, but I didn’t get around to visiting, preferring to stay in the busy main bar area where a great contemporary punk soundtrack played at a sensible volume. There were just the two cask ales available on this visit – Mad Squirrel Pacific and Mister Squirrel – but these were ably backed up by no less than 24 keg beers listed on the boards above the bar. All but six of these were Mad Squirrel brews, with the guests coming from the likes of Verdant, Newton Park, Atom and Wild Weather. Beer can only be ordered via QR code, which was a problem for me, as my phone can’t read them, so the guy that greeted and seated me sent someone over to take my order the old-fashioned way instead. He sold me on the Pacific on cask, but I thought it was a very weak, watery and flavourless beer and didn’t really enjoy it at all, in marked contrast to other Mad Squirrel beers I’ve tried in the past. Payments can only be made by card. Having enjoyed this brewery’s Berkhamsted bar, I had high hopes for this place, but left feeling a little underwhelmed thanks to the flavourless beer and rather functional interior. I generally enjoy beers from this brewery and wouldn’t let one disappointing visit deter me from returning again, but this didn’t really stand-out from the crowd in the way I had hoped and expected it would.

Tucked away through a narrow pedestrianised walkway to the Abbey,this is the latest tap from Mad Squirrel.Unlike some other of their premises this is much less bottle shop more pub,but there are still a few fridges to choose bottled beer with a 40% discount on carry out. It's a modern building and there is a dark exterior stairway to an upper level where there is another entrance into an overflow area.However the lower entrance opens into the serving bar back at the rear with 22 keg wall mounted taps and three handpumps. The interior is quite sparse with rough wood facing on both the bar and walls.A drinking shelf is made out of the same rough wood,while there are additional high tables and some small orange leather benches.It feels very hip.There is a good sized outside terrace.Decent muzak was playing at a sensible volume and the young bar tender was friendly and helpful.He explained that at any time there might be 13 Mad Squirrel beers on keg,some regular,some occasional together with 8 guest kegs.(On my visit from Fyne,Magic Rock and Burning Sky all top quality brewers) while on handpump there will be 2 Mad Squirrel (on my trip Mr Squirrel and Big Sea IPA (£4.20 and fabulous))with a third handpump for a guest. Pizze is the food option and they do beer and pizza deals. If you are a fan of keg ,your heart will sing when entering here and there is some pokey gear to get involved with.If on a real ale tour don't miss out here. Mad Squirrel are a fine brewer and this place delivers .

Official site of Mad Squirrel Tap - www.madsquirrel.uk

Official site of Mad Squirrel Tap - www.madsquirrel.uk