Craft Beer reopening night Thursday 22 Feb - after refurb. Just a note to say I attended (after a less-than full but very tasty pint of
Truman's Zephyr at the Beehive).
The Craft place was understandably packed - but obviously catered to a certain crowd (20-35 affluent white).
The new decor is a bit garish. Because the bar is quite small, the mirrored ceiling, aluminium framed double-glazed windows and doors and glossy black overlay to the brickwork seemed to me to evoke a 1970s hi tec look. A bit like The Clockwork Orange without the sexual sofas (because no room). Actually a glitter ball would have completed the scenario.
By contrast the upper room - also full up - appears to retain the original windows but is laid out to give a relaxed and modern, but less in your face feel than downstairs. I should add that although I saw no-one I knew, and indeed no-lone within 20 years of my age, the atmosphere was not unfriendly - though it seemed everyone there was in some sort of group.
There was a band playing - which in a way added to the 1970s feel, because they seemed to dwell on Stones favourites, and apparently AC/DC (who are they?) I guess this will be an occasional attraction. The sound wasn't painfully loud - but both the band and the taped music meant people probably had to raise their voices from time to time to be heard. Not a venue for a meditative drink.
I find the Craft bar serving method intriguing. It looks like the very large selection of beers (and ciders) is served on gravity. Theyn simply flip the tap and the stuff goes into a skiff or glass. No pumping and no gas.
Although spoilt for choice, I decided to try
Pentonville Oyster Stout. Is there a Stockwell Green connection here I wonder? This beer is brewed by a Hammerton Brewery in Islington, but there was a Hammerton Brewery next to St Andrews Church Stockwell Green. Anyway this was not the first time I'd tried their Oyster stout. Thick, black and not sweet this brew is similar to
Harviestoun's Old Engine Oil, which used to be a favourite at Wetherspoons beer festivals. I had had the Pentonville Oyster stout a while back at the Crown and Anchor, Brixton Road. It's OK - but easier to appreciate sitting outide on a bench in the summer, than jammed into a vibrant venue with 100 people you don't know.
For my second pint I tried
Brixton Atlantic APA - which was hoppy in the American manner as one would expect. And £3 at the half price offer - so £6 one assumes normally. Seems a bit expensive if all they've got to do is roll the barrels down Brixton Station Road!
A final point on the new shop-front. It hasn't enhanced the heritage character of the area, so one wonders how it managed to get planning permission. There is one big advantage in crowded situations - the door swings both ways - so that you could be by the door and not knocked flying by people pushing to get it.
I don't normally have three pints in a short evening (I was actually recovering from the People's Audit/Kate Hoey/Cressingham event at the time) and it did rather rub in doctor's advice. The first Truman's pint at the Beehive gave a buzz but was only 4.4% abv. The two stronger pints (5.4%) at Craft Beer did not seem to add to the buzz, but made for a rather sluggish Friday morning. I wonder what the people felt like who were rushing to get the 10% abv offering (can't remember the name and probably nor can they!).
