Pubs and bars worth visiting are cropping up in some odd places these days.
Last year, Tap East opened in the Westfield shopping centre in Stratford, East London; and in 2009, the Sheffield Tap opened on the platform at that city’s main station, followed by similar station ‘taps’ at Euston and York. These places aren’t exactly pubs as we know them, but, as Knut Albert points out, that’s probably to be expected. (In fact, are we going to end up calling them ‘taps’?)
The latest news is that Fuller’s are getting in on the act by opening a flagship pub (tap…) at King’s Cross — one which will apparently sell every beer they produce, including all available vintages of, er, Vintage Ale.
Imagine — no more tramping around London to try the latest Fuller’s seasonal, and no more lukewarm pints of Wandle at the John Betjeman while waiting for a train. Let’s hope its as good as the publicity makes it sound.
Now other big brewers need to get their acts together and do the same: we still want to see pubs in our major cities selling the full range of breweries such as Wells and Young’s and Greene King in tip-top condition. The twin defences of “you haven’t tried the good stuff” and “when you’ve tried it, it hasn’t been kept well” are wearing thin.
14 replies on “One of each before my train leaves, please!”
I have enjoyed many an ESB at the Bishop and Bear at Paddington — a decent pint at a station is a positive balm when it comes to the rigours of rail travel. On the other hand, Birmingham New Street’s bar is an appalling little shack.
may soon be a Brewdog Bar behind to slake your thirst 😉
Manchester Piccadilly is a disaster, but you have the Bull’s Head across the road.
Steve: Fact. You cannot slake thirst at a BrewDog Bar. Too strong, too cold, too gassy, not its intent.
Oh I don’t know I did ok at Brewdog Camden
Punk is a thirst slaker, though just not as gluggable as a session beer. Though out of a can…
Now I’m wondering why they don’t all already have one.
I suspect, however, sadly, that like Past Masters this is another instance of Fuller’s acting craft while their contemporaries are busy installing proprietory handpulls and extending vapid brands.
ATJ — we’re fans of the Bishop and Bear. Decent range of beer (including, once, some very old Vintage Ales) and those all important departure boards… but it’s no flagship.
Beer Nut — beginning to think that clear bottles are the best ‘tell’.
I know, wasn’t thinking about a flagship more like a fiesty little frigate cutting its way through the waves and delivering me lots of refreshment
This sounds a top pub in the works – now if only someone could set up similar works at bath spa, Bristol temple meads and Cheltenham Spa.
You’ve heard that a Bristol Tap is in the works, haven’t you?
I had, means I won’t have to go to the spoons anymore
Yes I had heard, but nowt since alas, though at least the Bonapartes usually has a cask Butcombe option.
Final thought from me on this one. At least they’ll be doing guest beers.
Who remembers the appalling White Rose bar at Kings Cross? Once charged me the thick-end of four quid for a bottle of Becks, ten years ago.
A consortium of Yorkshire brewers are missing a trick here – a pub in Kings Cross could be an excellent showcase for their beers, it being the London jumping-off point for Tykeland.