Belleville Taproom, Wandsworth Common, SW12

Official site of Belleville Brewery Tap - www.bellevillebrewing.co.uk

Official site of Belleville Brewery Tap - www.bellevillebrewing.co.uk

The brewery tap is situated in a separate industrial unit a few yards down Jaggard Way from the brewery. The drinking area is up some stairs, and is furnished with a few benches, plus some old casks being utilised as chairs. In keeping with Belleville's ethos of producing USA-themed beers, the measurement served here is 16 US fl oz, which is what the Americans call a pint. This is less than an imperial pint, but more than two-thirds of a pint. Again, as in any bar in the USA, the beer here is served colder and fizzier than real ale in most pubs. The US "pint" is £3, which when scaled up makes an imperial pint £3.60, which is still reasonable enough. There were eight Belleville beers dispensed from taps behind the servery - the barman assured me that they were real ales (and I've seen them all dispensed from handpumps) but they had all the appearance of keg versions. But my "pints" of Little Critters Battersea Brownstone were nice enough. They don't serve food, but take away leaflets are on the bar counter so that hungry customers can get a take away meal delivered. It is only open to the public on Saturdays, but is open all day. This is like most brewery taps that I've visited - short on luxury but high on functionality. I'll probably end up in here again.