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Beer & Pub News Round-up
McMullen's Brewery in Hertford is to officially open its new brewery shortly.
Costing circa £1 million, the brewery is on the current site and is designed
to brew small brew lengths, which will enable the brewer to produce a variety
of special brews in addition to its main beers, AK and County. The brewery no
longer does contract brewing, concentrating on supplying its own pubs.
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Just down from Archway in N19, there's some good pub news – namely, the St Johns
at the corner of Junction Rd and St Johns Grove. The pub has undergone a professional
and pleasant refurbishment. Ok, it has the obligatory picture windows, large
scrubbed tables, walls filled with photographic displays, lamp standards and
the other patter familiar to your thoroughly modern North London pub right down
to the gastro menu. But if it helps in a pub’s renaissance, all the better for it.
The colour combinations and discrete lighting help accentuate some of the older,
retained features. Standard North London snacks of bowls of olives or pistachios;
the main bar was thriving, while at the back a large room has been excellently
converted to a table service restaurant. On tap were Deuchars IPA, Greene King
Abbot and Wadworth 6X.
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Wandering down into N1, and after a period of being boarded up, it is good to
report the re-opening of the William IV at 7 Shepherdess Walk. The pub had had
a thorough and pleasant refurbishment with an array of large white tables, candles
(don’t you love ‘em) a small but eclectic menu and two real ales – Black Sheep Best
Bitter and Flower’s IPA. The outside fabric of the pub, a nice entrance way and
etched windows with the pub's name remain the same but the bar has shifted position
and a large portrait of William IV has been acquired. The upstairs has been
impressively converted into a larger dining room (with the original pub shutters)
together with a smaller private dining room.
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Also after a short closure and a very complete identity change, Overdraughts in WC1
(51 Eagle St) has metamorphosed into the Bountiful Cow. Owned by Roxy and Nathan
Beaujolais (think the Seven Stars, Carey St) a total transformation has resulted
in the pub selling Adnams Bitter and Broadside while on the food side being,
unsurprisingly, devoted to beef. It's a short menu but imaginative and there is a
veggie option. The pub is decorated with some huge movie posters, all of which
have a meaty connection – how about Raw Meat! The bar has moved position and has
some fixed stools around it with small booths around the walls. Downstairs you can
find the large open range kitchen with plenty more room for diners.
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Due to the fact that last issue's feature on Kilburn was researched over a lunchtime,
we were unable to mention a new outlet – the Good Ship at 289 Kilburn High Rd opposite
the Black Lion (nearest tube Kilburn). It is a cross between a pub, a bar and a music
venue selling London Pride on handpump. Details of what's on can be found at
www.thegoodship.co.uk. Run by CAMRA member
John McCooke, this is not an old style traditional pub – rather it’s a more modern
environment offering real ale in a music and late night venue. The place opens around
7.30pm, Mon - Thurs till 2am, Fri - Sat till 4am. Sun till 2am. There can be an entry
charge – check the web site.
John Cryne
Reproduced from the Full Pint, Issue 35.
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