Brixton Brewery Tap Room, SW9

Although in an arch this feels like a pub.Tiny bar and as they had about 20 people getting a brewery tour it was quite crowded.Tried two of their brewed on site beers and enjoyed them.Avoided the cucumber and mint lager though.

Fairly typical railway-arch tap room, although the standard of furniture and lighting is better than most. However, it's a bit of a front really, since Brixton Brewery is a bigger operation than this place would suggest, but it's fine I suppose if taken on its own merits (and one of the few places in the area not showing World Cup football). Nine of the brewery's craft beers in a range of styles - from which I went for the Resolution coffee stout (£5.70) in preference to the 'taproom exclusive' Blackout nitro stout - plus a cider available from the ten taps on the bar-back.

Another day, another London brewery taproom operating out of a railway arch, this time a few minutes walk down the line from Brixton station. Although there’s not a great deal here that you won’t have seen in other such railway arch set-ups - concrete floor, corrugated metal cladding on a vaulted ceiling, ugly woodchip walls and a mix of cheap high and low tables served by uncomfortable stools - the place does at least benefit from having all the brewing gear kept in a separate arch, which helps make the taproom feel like a proper bar rather than an afterthought. The front of the arch has full height branded windows, which should ensure the place is nice and light in the daytime, whilst some bright lamps were able to compensate in the evening. The room has surprisingly bright and colourful decor which is at odds with its location, including snazzy patterned table tops, bold brewery artwork on the walls alongside the usual photos of brewers at work, and colourful bunting draped across the ceiling, which also has several more brewery art prints hung from it. The bar is at the rear of the arch and has a simple black bar counter with the brewery name printed on the front, taps along the bar back and a large beer board on the canopy. A soulful soundtrack played in the background at a sensible volume and there was a good mid-week crowd in, helping to create a bit of a pub-like atmosphere. On the bar there were six Brixton brews, three guest beers and a cider option on the ten keg lines. I decided to try the Brixton Atlantic APA, which was a pretty reasonable £4.50 and an enjoyable, tasty pint. The barman was very friendly and dealt with an incident very well when another punter swiped the pint that had just been poured for me, believing it to be part of the round of drinks he’d just bought. I find these railway arch taprooms can vary in quality greatly, with the best ones taking care in the way they present themselves and how they treat their customers. This one definitely makes a good attempt to create a proper drinking environment, albeit with cheap uncomfortable seating, and was seemingly rewarded by a good turnout from the locals. Brixton has a few decent craft beer venues and this place is definitely worth considering if you’re looking to check a few of them out.

Our final stop of the day in Brixton was the Brixton Brewery Tap Room itself. This is another bar that doesn't open until 5pm on a Friday. In fact, it was very busy within that first hour of opening, meaning we took one of the last tables. Even then we needed to be out fairly quickly to free up the table for reservations. The beer choice was all keg - Brixton Coldharbour Lager, Reliance Pale Ale, Low Voltage, Atlantic IPA, Generation Pale Ale & Electric IPA. The cider was Canopy Apfel Cider. I ordered the Atlantic IPA and the cider. When they arrived, they gave me the cider on the house, as it had lost its fizziness. Personally, I preferred it that way and it was still perfectly drinkable. The Atlantic IPA was very nice too. The taproom is in an archway, but it has been done out nicely. Cans and bottles are available in a fridge in the corner, whilst service was friendly.

Official site of Brixton Brewery Tap Room - www.facebook.com

Official site of Brixton Brewery Tap Room - www.brixtonbrewery.com

Official site of Brixton Brewery Tap Room - www.brixtonbrewery.com

Official site of Brixton Brewery Tap Room - www.facebook.com