Back in October 2018 I wrote a post about the craft beer tap rooms on Druid Street in Bermondsey.
Druid Street can be either the start or end of the Bermondsey Beer Mile. What was once perfectly achievable in a single visit, the opening of more taprooms and the numbers of beers available at each means that it is simply not possible to cover the whole area in one go. So in this, the second post in the series, I will look at the taprooms on Enid Street which is just a short walk round the corner from Druid Street. The closest tube station is Bermondsey on the Jubilee line.
From The Bottle Shop on Druid Street turn right onto Abbey Street, go under the bridge and then turn first left into Enid Street. The tap rooms here are all very close together starting with Moor Beer Company (71 Enid Street).
This Bristol based brewing company opened their barrel store and tap room on Enid Street in 2018 and it has become a popular calling point for craft beer aficionados. Very busy on my visit with a good range of beers, plenty of standing room and adequate seating. The Tucka Burger van was parked right outside for when the munchies get to you. There was a good atmosphere here and certainly the most lively of the four taps visited.
Moor Beer Company Stout 5%. Just time for one beer here and stout was what I fancied. Dark and opaque with a thin tan head. Aromas of coffee, caramel and toffee. Nicely balanced with medium bitterness and gentle/soft carbonation.
Next door is London Calling Sweden (72 Enid Street). Serving beers from Swedish brewery Poppels and opened so that ex pat Swedes could have a taste of home it is an altogether quirky and not unpleasant place for a beer or two.
They have created a space which is adorned with what might best be described as a collection of unconventional objects including a three seat sofa in. pride of place on the stage, suitcases and an opticians eye test chart. As different as you can get from nearby Cloudwater. There is limited seating but plenty of standing room. Snacks are available but payment here is by card only. Tasting flights are available and that’s what I thought I’d try.
Poppels Passion Pale. 5.2%. Pale amber and clear with a thin white head. Aromas are tropical with malt and a touch of caramel. Palate has gentle carbonation, low bitterness and a slight creamy texture. Flavour is tropical with a hint of lemon citrus. Very drinkable.
Poppels American Pale 5.4%. Amber,clear with a good white head and some lacing. Aromas of malt, caramel and a init of citrus. Palate has good carbonation, low bitterness and flavours of malt, caramel, biscuit and a touch of resiney pine. The finish has a bitter tang.
Poppels IPA 6.5%. Light amber with the feintist of haze and a good white head. Aromas of pineapple, malt and a slightly floral character. Palate is low bitterness with gentle carbonation. Nice mouthfeel with some tropical flavours. A slightly bitter, lemon/pine finish.
Poppels Greeliner Weiss 5%. Pours vivid green, murky no head. Fresh zingy acidity with lime, cucumber and mint. Very gentle carbonation. A beer which is far more interesting on the palate. Don’t be put off by the appearance.
Next up is the recently opened Cloudwater Tap Room (73 Enid Street). No signage here, just a printed note on the door saying ‘we are open’. Inside the decor is shipping container chic, they have done their very best to make a railway arch not look like a railway arch and it works well. There is a bar at the far end , made to look like its been constructed from quarried stone. There are something like 20 beers on tap and the staff are very knowledgeable and happy to help you negotiate the menu despite it being busy. It is definitely the most interesting selection of beers because of the sheer diversity off styles on offer. There is plenty of seating though not all has access to a table and there are good toilet facilities. As you might expect from Cloudwater the whole experience is well done. Wished I had more time to investigate the range, sadly only time for two.
Cloudwater Pale. 4%. Yellow, cloudy in appearance with a thin white head. Aromas of mango and grassy pine. Palate is low carbonation and low bitterness with gentle lemon citrus. The finish is quite bitter.
Cloudwater Bourbon BA Kentucky Common. 8.2%. Collaboration with Against The Grain. Dark, opaque with a thin tan head. Nose is very aromatic with caramel, treacle toffee, cola and muscovado sugar. Palate has nice fresh acidity and complexity, there is caramel, vanilla, toffee and cola. Mouthfeel is excellent with a slight sweetness and there is a long lingering finish. Excellent.
Finally it’s Brew By Numbers (75 Enid Street). Part of the Bermondsey craft beer scene for some time Brew By Numbers has a tasting room which has ten beers on tap and a selection of bottles and cans. There is seating away from the bar area with space for around 30. There is plenty of standing. Small snacks are available as well as a range of merchandise including t-shirts and glassware.
I sampled a couple of beers here but unfortunately didn’t accurately record what they were! As a result there are no tasting notes for this visit.
Before visiting any of the tap rooms it is well worth checking opening times online before heading off as they can be sometimes subject to change.
