The Black Hen, E5

Wedge-shaped building with rather doom-laden dark grey paintwork, clearly shouting "here be a craft keggery" at all and sundry... The interior featured a slightly lighter two-tone colour scheme and fairly minimalist furniture. Also has a number of outside table on a narrow terrace. A wall-mounted board in the corner announced a total of 18 keg beers and ciders in a wide variety of styles which were available from the anonymous taps, from which I went for the Amager Khaleesi IPA imported from Denmark (£2.90, half).

Just about everywhere in here was painted a sort of khaki colour, and there were arty prints all over the place that meant nothing to me. The board in the corner listing the beers, with prices and ABVs was useful - in fact absolutely essential as the tap fonts didn't identify the beers available. The only beers available were keg "craft" beers, but I guess they still get people coming in and asking for a pint of lager. It was as expensive as you would expect. This is not really my sort of place, but I guess one should drop into this sort of place every now and again to see how the other half lives.

A single roomed craft keg pub with a decent range of beers in varying styles and prices,none of which were particularly cheap,but this is the nature of the beast and as such It was ok as was my Beavertown Neck Oil at £2.50 for a half, although It wouldn't be top of my list I would be happy to call by again.

Trendy keg only place situated on a corner site. Large clear glass windows, boarded floor and decor in various shades of green. Around twenty keg taps on the bar, the choices and prices are listed on a board in one corner. Typically expensive, it was a quick half and move on, I tried the Beavertown Neck Oil which had some flavour but was also cold and heavily carbonated as you'd expect. There is a large glass fronted fridge full of continental bottled beers, probably also at a price. The brunch menus were out, Blackened swordfish steak, roasted sweet potato wedges and guacamole at £15 gives a clue at to the type of customer base they expect here. Framed arty prints on the walls and behind the bar, flowers in wine bottles, there was also a gin menu. Outdoor seating on a front terrace. Not my sort of place at all, I don't get the concept of these cold fizzy keg beers at a hefty price but I'm sure it will suit their chosen customer base and I suppose that's fair enough.

Re-opened as the Mermaid.Large one roomed high ceiling bar.Bit dark and gloomy on my night-time visit.Outside seating to the front.About 20 keg beerS no cask but a good mix of styles and breweries if you can afford them.