I’ve written about Hawkes Cidery on the Bermondsey Beer Mile before, but I hadn’t noticed this warning about food waste before. Every second the UK wastes enough apples to create 3.5 pints of cider and that certainly does feel like a crime….
Category: Southwark (Borough of)
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London – Southwark (Borough of) – Moor Beer Vaults
Part of my slow and steady walk along the Bermondsey Beer Mile, this is Moor Brewing. They’re a Bristol brewery who brew a range of different beer styles and they have this informal little arrangement in London. Friendly staff and I was offered a choice of tables, so made myself comfortable in the corner out of the way of the sun.
This is the beer menu, which isn’t really suitable for children.
The beer on the left is Moor Beer’s stout, and very acceptable it was too. But, it’s the one on the right, which is Moor’s Smoked Lager, that I’ll focus on here, as I wasn’t sure that I’d even like it. Fortunately, I did, and I’ve been thinking about it ever since (not constantly, just every now and then…..) and I should have rated it higher on Untappd.
Anyway, without using the language that Moor use on their menu, it’s a smoked lager and I knew nothing about this concept. I was pleased to find out on Facebook from the wonderful Oliva (who I think is one of the foremost experts on beer in Norwich) and the no less wonderful Tony from the Hop & Vine in Hull that this is a beer style that is popular in Bamberg, in Germany. This is delightful information for me and I’m planning a trip there now (I mean Germany, not the Hop & Vine, to which a visit has already been planned) and I am unanimous in that……
The smoked lager’s main strength for me was its beautiful aftertaste, that lingering smoky flavour and I can imagine some German sausages would go well alongside that (or a McRib come to think of it). Effectively, it’s a beer that tastes slightly of bacon, but without the greasiness (and without the need for me to cut the fat off) and it also had something of a sweet edge and limited bitterness. I very much liked the concept and feel the need to experience the area of Germany which inspired this beer.
Bringing this back on track, I liked Moor’s, it was relaxed and calm, which is an atmosphere that I like. The prices weren’t listed on the menu, but they’re moderate and as I like, they really prefer card payments here. Like most of the places along the Bermondsey Beer Mile, it’s not particularly large inside, but it is definitely worth a visit. Very lovely.
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London – Southwark (Borough of) – Brew by Numbers Taproom
After a busy morning in central London, I thought that I’d return to the Bermondsey Beer Mile for a little reward at lunchtime. In the background of the photo above is the Shard, although it perhaps doesn’t show how bloody hot the weather was today. These units under the railway arches aren’t the largest, but there were several bench style seats inside, and a few external tables carefully partitioned off from the road.
Incidentally, this is what these units looked like just a few years ago. The area has been transformed, although I’m not sure what the owners of the residential properties opposite think. Personally, I’d be pleased, although I suspect that some might not be quite as excited at the change.
The table I was offered was outside, although I’d have been happy in a cold corner inside (I may have mentioned that I’m not one for hot weather), but I was at least more at the centre of the action where I was seated. It got busier quickly so that soon all of the outside tables were taken. The service was attentive and friendly, but I’d be disappointed if any craft beer business around here wasn’t. My server apologised in advance (a good tactic, I pre-warn people I might make mistakes in advance) that he was new that day, although I know there are some hospitality staff who say that even when it’s not actually their first day. Either way, he was a perfectly good server, so all was well.
The beer list and the completist in me loves this whole numbering process and their web-site explains this:
“Though experimentation, they progressed quickly by splitting batches and performing different tests on them. The winner of these batches would be brewed again, and the process repeated to find original flavour combinations. The numbering system attributed to these early gave rise to their name – Brew By Numbers. In April 2012, they took their ‘Hoppy Saison’ to the staff at Craft Beer Co. Clerkenwell for their critique. This beer would later become 01|01 and would be critical in shaping BBNo’s place in the market – an unusual style no other UK breweries where offering regularly at that time.”
As an aside, Craft Beer Co in Clerkenwell is bloody good.
On the right is 19|Gose – Mango, Guava and Passion Fruit and that colour is quite beautiful, it reminded me of a mango lassi that I’ve had in India. A rich mouthfeel, pleasant tropical taste although the aftertaste wasn’t quite as rich as I had expected, but this is still a rather beautiful beer. There’s meant to be notes of sea salt in it for balance, although I couldn’t detect them. On the left is the 10|Coffee Porter – Sumava which was beautifully rich with a depth of flavour and a heavy aftertaste of coffee. I liked this a lot, and although it was 9.5%, that wasn’t noticeable as the drink was quite smooth.
All in all, this is another taproom style set-up that I like, from a brewery that I’ve had a few beers from this year already. I suspect they will become more prominent and they offer some experimental and innovative beers. I think I might come here again in the future to see what they’re brewing….
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London – Southwark (Borough of) – Anspach & Hobday
Someone mentioned the Bermondsey Beer Mile to me last year, but most of the premises along it were shut last year when I visited, so the options were limited. Things have improved somewhat since then and there’s a good choice of venues open, although the downside is that they’re often small and Covid-19 has restricted the number of customers who can visit.
This is the rather lovely taproom of Anspach & Hobday and they have a couple of other venues in London, including a new taproom in Croydon. The staff member at the door was friendly and helpful, telling me that they had a table for six available that wasn’t needed for nearly an hour until the next reservation, and I could have that. This pleased me. This isn’t a large location though, it has just a handful of tables inside and a small number outside, so I was rather fortunate.
The beer fridges and the bar area, although table service was offered. It’s card only here, which I like, I agree with them that it’s the way forwards. The brewery produce quite a range of beer styles, and although it wasn’t available when I visited, I’d like to try their Sea Salt & Chilli Stout at some point.
The beer list, including some of their own beers and some guests. Nicely balanced selection, including numerous different beer styles.
The beers I went for, which are the Pacific Ale from Stone & Wood on the left and the porter from Anspach & Hobday themselves on the right. The former was refreshing, but not overly exciting in terms of the flavours. The porter was rich with its chocolate and coffee flavours, and it tasted fresh and was at the appropriate just slightly chilled temperature. Nice.
The environment was clean and comfortable, I liked this taproom. Friendly staff, relaxed vibe and all really rather lovely.
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London – Southwark (Borough of) – The Old Salt Quay
This visit to the Old Salt Quay (or just Salt Quay, I’m not quite sure what name they prefer) pre-dates 2020 and the current restrictions, and the photos were also taken on my older phone, so the quality isn’t great. Anyway, this is a Greene King pub located in a former warehouse by the River Thames.
I liked the interior, it was spacious, interesting and clean, so all perfectly welcoming. There’s also further seating on the first floor, although that was closed off when I visited.
I confess that this is Greene King IPA and I remember it tasted exactly as Greene King IPA is designed to taste, so I can’t really blame the pub for that.
The chicken burger, all nicely presented, hot, perfectly reasonable quality.
The reviews are mixed, although I noted this one:
“My friends and I went to have a drink and something to eat . We go id’d on the door the man on the door knows us as we are regulars at this pub.”
Which got the beautiful response from the pub of:
“Unfortunately, the “man on the door” is not proof of ID.”
Or the customer who posted:
“Called into Salt Quay 12:30 on Thursday with my family and asked for a Cappuccino. The barman tutted, rolled his eyes and shook his head.”
I accept that’s not great customer service, but I’m secretly a little impressed. But I shouldn’t be. In response to another customer, the pub noted:
“We do have some staffing challenges at the moment, but we are trying to sort these out at haste!”
That’s honest from the pub, I like that as well. This comment from a customer shouldn’t have also amused me, but it did, solely because I’ve built up a picture in my mind about this. I have a vivid imagination I think.
“It was also freezing with the security guards opening and closing the doors every 5 minutes because they had absolutely nothing better to do.”
But, this is my most favourite response of all from the pub to a customer:
“I must disagree with your review for the simple fact that your narration does NOT correspond to the truth.
Allow me to use this space primarily to apologize once again with all the guests present in the Pub during your presence.
You phoned the pub check availability for 25 people within half an hour of arrival, the person speaking on the phone was told that unfortunately the pub was fully booking.
This is the case on Sunday’s at this time of year. Almost after about 15 minutes from your phone call, you entered the pub without even responding to our welcome greeting of a member of your group, after ignoring the blackboard at the entrance that stated “before going to the first floor wait to speak with a staff member because the room is reserved “.
We had drawn your attention and I had personally reaffirmed the state of affairs of our availability. I suggested you wait and occupy the tables that would be liberated in time. So you did, except then began to approach the tables already occupied by guests who were dining and drinking and you invited MY guests to leave the table for you, this for me is unacceptable. I pointed out that it was not an acceptable method and that for any request you should have referred to myself or another member of staff, instead you ignored my request and you had resulted to your personal “hunting” for a table.
At that point, perhaps, I may have become a bit rude, but I can not allow my guests to be harassed during a moment of pleasure and relaxation. I would have done the same thing if anyone else had the same attitude towards you.
Thank you for your time and God bless you.”
That ‘God bless you’ at the end is rather beautiful, and this sounds a most exciting afternoon for the staff.
I’m not sure that I’d say this is a pub worth travelling far to get it, as Greene King’s turnkey operation means their pubs are often all a bit too samey and bland. But, the staff were friendly, it felt a safe environment and it’s a perfectly good option for anyone in the area. It’s an interesting building though, with decent views over the Thames and apparently (CAMRA say this, I trust them) the carveries on Sunday are first class.
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London – Southwark (Borough of) – The Rockingham Arms
I’ll add now that this visit was from some weeks ago, they’re not open during the second lockdown. I’m working through old photos since I can’t currently go to pubs….
This is an image from Google Streetview of the front of the Rockingham Arms (taking its name from another pub which had been in the area), the JD Wetherspoon pub in Elephant and Castle, London. It’s not the most glamorous of buildings, it’s in the 1960s Metro Central Heights building, the former home of the Department of Health and Social Security. It was another little design error, the Government were very pleased with their new building, but it soon fell out of favour and it suffered from sick building syndrome. The civil servants moved to a lovely new building in Whitehall and this structure was repurposed to be used for residential flats.
Anyway, back to what it is now, a JD Wetherspoon pub. Punk IPA, always cheaper than Brewdog charge in their own pubs, I find that this a very drinkable beer. It might be one of Brewdog’s more generic beers, but it’s still nicely citrusy and with some depth of flavour to it.
And the chicken jalfrezi from Curry Club, which is very rarely a disappointment and wasn’t here either. Served quickly, at a hot temperature and by a staff member who was perfectly polite, it’s hard to find anything to complain about here.
The pub interior is perhaps a bit bland, but it feels like a safe environment and I’ve never experienced any problems in the times that I’ve visited here. It lacks the atmosphere of some of the more historic buildings that Wetherspoons operate and the open plan of this pub does make it all feel a bit generic. The toilets, which are located downstairs in the basement, could do with a little bit of a refurbishment as well.
The reviews for the pub aren’t great, but I think that’s more because some customers are keen to complain and the ones who are happy don’t tend to post. There was a 1-star review as the barman didn’t serve a customer who was on the phone, with the customer noting “I told him that it doesn’t matter that I’m at the phone as far as I order properly”. I suspect a fair few bar staff would have agreed with the pub here.
Anyway, all perfectly acceptable, keenly priced and just a short walk away from the London Underground.
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London – Southwark (Borough of) – Churchyard of St. Mary Magdalen, Bermondsey
This is the former churchyard of St. Mary Magdalen church in Bermondsey, which closed to new burials in 1854. There was a growing concern in urban areas that disease was spreading due to these graveyards and space was often limited anyway, so there was a move towards the provision of municipal cemeteries. Today, the area is a park, although there are a few monuments remaining and some which are of historic note. The land was given by the church to the council in 1882, which after some changes in local Government over time means it’s now under the care of Southwark Council.
But, away from the memorials of note which are still in situ, this is the little arrangement that Southwark Council seems to think is entirely acceptable. It doesn’t look ideal to me, shattered stones just dumped here at the edge of the park. A sad end to these stones, some of which would have likely caused the family some difficulties to afford at the time.
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London – Southwark (Borough of) – Marquis of Wellington
This looked like an intriguing pub and so I thought I’d have a little sit down in here, since it was quite a long walk from where I had just come from, which was Hawkes. Well, it was around thirty metres, but walking can be a thirsty exercise. The pub is operated by the Bermondsey Pub Company, the managed house division of the EI Group, formerly known as Enterprise Inns.
There was a particularly personable staff member at the entrance and he set the tone for this pub, quirky, off-beat and comfortable. That’s not a bad set of attributes for a pub to aim for. I had already eaten sufficient pizza for the day, but this pub also offered them, although a customer tried to order at just gone 18:00 and they had already stopped serving for the day.
I’m not sure how practical this is for a table, but I like the concept. Incidentally, this is another pub that has installed plenty of power points, I’ve had a good day for these today.
I thought that the drinks selection was a bit disjointed, although they have the Gamma Ray from Beavertown, which is acceptable to me. They also have a web-site in some need of attention, as their newsletter and offers page is broken when anything is submitted. Anyway, there was a warm welcome here and a comfortable environment, with the quirkiness all working well. With a slightly more intriguing range of beers, this would have been a lot better, but everything seemed well managed and I’d merrily recommend it to others.
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London – Southwark (Borough of) – Hawkes Cidery
I admit that I hadn’t heard of the Bermondsey Beer Mile until last week, which is probably another one of my little oversights. There are quite a few of these to be fair. Anyway, there are some tremendous bars along this route, although a lot of them are closed mid-week and a few haven’t re-opened due to the current health issue. I definitely need to come back on a weekend.
I can’t judge which venues in London will be busy and which won’t, and I booked a table probably needlessly as it was relatively quiet. But, best to be sure. I took advantage of their two pizzas offer when I booked, but then had to e-mail to check that one person was allowed to do this. They replied promptly saying that was fine and the staff member who replied remembered my e-mail when I turned up. On that matter, the staff here were personable, laid-back and keen to welcome customers, all very lovely.
It’s a while since I’ve thought much about ciders, but I think that I might start thinking about them again. I went for the Dead & Berried Mixed Berry which was sweet, elegant and way too drinkable, with lovely flavours of raspberries. I also tried some Pineapple Punch, which was again so smooth it would be easy to forget that it was alcoholic. The pineapples certainly took the taste of the apples away, something a little different. I think there are some tasting trays available for those who want to try more, which I should have probably experimented with. Incidentally, I’m moderately obsessed with blackberries, I hope they do a cider packed with them with the apples.
This is all beautifully on-trend, but they probably aren’t aiming for that. Instead, I’m guessing, although I didn’t ask, that they just created somewhere they liked and hoped other people would like it as well, rather than going for something formulaic. This venue is in a railway arch and they also have a cidery on site where their products are made, it’s quite a sizeable location. Indeed, if anyone wants to send this place some apples, they send back cider, which seems quite a good deal to me. I might collect all the apples that Accor hotels keep giving me and send them here en masse.
I didn’t need two pizzas, but the staff member reassured me that this is a common thing to do. I bet it isn’t and she wanted me to feel better, but I didn’t much care. I liked the Diavola Chorizo, on the left, the best, but the Prosciutto on the right was also sufficiently tasty for my needs. I finished them both, but then realised I should come back here to get a Nduja pizza, I’ll just have to find someone to come with me to avoid ending up with two pizzas to myself though. Actually, on reflection, that would be fine.
The pizza menu, which is different to the one on the web-site.
On a customer service technicality, no-one mentioned the app (excuse the pun) to me and there was apparently a £5 off offer on there to anyone who spent £10. As someone who likes these sort of offers, I’d have merrily gone for that. It slightly annoyed me that they didn’t mention it. But not enough to dislike this place, which is a beautiful concept and one which I hope rolls out to more locations around the country. As an aside, they have a few beers which I think are from Brewdog, as well as some wines for those that insist on drinking them.
All told, I haven’t been to a place like this where it’s all about the apple, and, well, some other fruit as well. Friendly, laid-back and comfortable, I’m pretty sure that I’ll come back. All rather lovely.
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London – Southwark (Borough of) – The Trinity
This isn’t a great photo of the pub’s frontage, but it’ll have to do as I’m not walking back there to take another one. It’s another Fuller’s pub and I’ve been impressed with their estate with this week, although this one had the more limited beer range that I had anticipated from their other venues. The welcome was no less generous though, I’m not sure whether Fuller’s are just recruiting friendly and able staff, or perhaps they have a first-class customer service programme.
The interior of the pub, all quite open and modern in its styling, with a major restoration having just been undertaken by Fuller’s. The staff member at the bar was also very patient with a customer (not me) who marched in the exit, seemed to understand the card-only rule before trying to pay with cash and then walked around looking lost. Everything seemed clean and comfortable, with the handy advantage of having power points on the walls so that I could charge my laptop.
So, although I’m not sure that there’s anything exceptional here I’d want to mention, it was a laid-back location that seemed well managed. The half-pint of London Pride that I went for was well-kept and tasted as I expected, although I’d have ideally liked something a bit more exciting. The pub did offer food, although it was priced towards the higher end of the scale.
