Craft Beer Co, EC1

Well, what can I add? Certainly one of London's top beer destinations and worth seeking out for the imports on keg just as much as the 16 ales: they might be expensive, but it's well worth treating yourself to something from Mikkeller or one of the American micros from time to time. Unlike aleand hearty below, we did visit at a busy time and I can confirm that Craft does indeed get pretty crowded on a Friday evening. The crowd spills out onto the street but one is discouraged from stepping off the pavement with one's pint. Mind you, this is going to be the case with any decent Central London boozer on a summer's evening. Been a few times and expect to visit many times more.

An exciting, new wave craft beer emporium, tucked away just off the Clerkenwell Road. Rather smaller than I was expecting and decked out in the slightly sparse modern style, but still impressive for all that. Basically, beer is king here and even the most jaded palate should be able to find something suitable from the 16 hand pumps, 21 keg fonts and scores of bottles on offer. I was more than happy to stay with the ales and found my Thornbridge ‘Kipling’ and Crouch Vale ‘Yakima Gold’ in good nick, but heart flutteringly expensive, at £3.80, for someone used to paying around a pound less, per pint, in the north. The young bar staff were friendly and slick and there was a good atmosphere, from a surprisingly varied clientele, when I called mid-afternoon on a Friday. However, I wouldn’t like to visit at peak times, as I can see it getting ridiculously crowded. Despite that small reservation, I’d recommend the CBC to any true beer fan and will almost certainly call again if in the area.

My first and definitely not my last trip to this beer emporium,which is fast becoming one of the best in the capital.The exterior is smaller than I expected and is situated in an interesting neighbourhood,while the interior has been largely stripped out but still includes interesting features like the mirrored ceiling and chandelier.The raised bench seating around the perimeter walls with high tables and stools is not the most comfortable ,but understandable given the popularity and the need to drink vertically at busy times.I really liked the polite but firm instruction to two potential bar blockers when they moved stools to sit in front of the handpumps,the staff explaining the error of their selfish ways and asking them to keep the bar clear.If only other pubs would adopt this kind of policy at a peak time such as 6pm Friday.If you don't like crowded pubs ,you may want to carefully schedule any visit here or check out the first floor seating. The ale selection was outstanding ,featuring micros with a reputation for excellence such as Dark Star,Redemption,Magic Rock and Durham on my trip.Prices vary with ABV,and some of the strong stuff I sampled was closing in on £4pp but worth it.Quality was very high on all pints sunk by the team. The keg beers appeared much more expensive than the ale,although many were rare and imported.I missed the opportunity to have a drink off between the cask and keg varieties of Dark Star Revelation as a result of the cask running out quickly.Maybe that was the answer to that particular question. I felt that this was even better than the sister pub Cask in Pimlico,and to describe it as a must visit is a gross understatement.

I have visited this establishment 3 times in the past couple of months, each time on a Sunday lunch. It never gets busy, just 4 or 5 guys drinking and reading the papers. Excellent selection of real ales and Keg but at a price. Some of the unusual foreign Keg stuff is very expensive, Having seen a Rogue Ale from Oregon USA and having been to the brewery on my travels I was going to give it a go, but at £6 a half, I decided on 2 pints of somthing from this side of the Atlantic. Still, don't be put off, excellent pub, superbly knowledgable staff and good bar snacks makes this a london destination boozer. I will definatly be in there again, but not over the Christmas break as they are closed for most of it!