ReviewI was rather confused when my other half came home one day and asked me if I knew the brewery taproom she’d just cycled past on the road between Beckenham and Penge, as I know the area pretty well and was fairly sure that there was no such brewery there. But a bit of research turned up this place, which had opened just prior to the second lockdown and slipped under my radar as a result. It’s a very small premises, set in a row of shops just a short walk from Clock House station and Beckenham Road tram stop. The tiny room is dominated by the brewing equipment which occupies the rear part of this compact space, whilst a small servery takes up additional space on the left-hand wall. The bar has a simple counter and white tile bar back with a beer board which lists the full draught range and has a row of keg taps running beneath it. This leaves a small amount of space for a couple of high tales and long benches, plus a staircase, which presumably runs down to the toilets and perhaps a second seating area – I didn’t go down myself, so can’t be sure. Outside, there’s a good sized tarmac area in front of the shops, allowing the brewery to set up four more small, round metal tables served by brightly coloured, if rather uncomfortable, metal chairs, all underneath one very large umbrella which proved big enough to keep me completely dry as I sat enjoying my pint through an almighty thunderstorm.
I expected to find a range of house beers on the bar, but there were only two available, with the other taps given over to beers from other South London breweries such as Gipsy Hill, Canopy and Bullfinch. I thought it best to sample one of their own, and opted for the BR3 XPA, which set me back a not inconsiderable £5.50. It was a decent enough beer, perhaps lacking a bit of depth but perfectly serviceable, nonetheless. The barmaid was very chatty and made everyone feel very welcome, as well as popping out periodically to make sure those of us sat outside were bearing up in the deluge.
This place always seems to be doing a decent trade, which is perhaps not that surprising given how gentrified this area is becoming. I certainly enjoyed my time here, part of which was derived from the biblical weather conditions, but much of which was due to the good service and the nature of this intriguing new venture. One to keep an eye on, especially as there is a chance they will start brewing cask ale at some point too.
