Craft Beer Company

Great beer, and the staff are nice and do what they can to make it work, but an awful building, with far too small a bar, indifferent seating, an uncomfortable atmosphere and no demonstrable interest in informing you about flavour, origins or even price of much of the draft beer. (When I visited) We had been looking forward to going to the Craft beer co in Islington for some time. Its a great idea and I think driving some interest and premium into the commodity driven beer market is to be applauded and I love craft style beer. The pub was busy, with a loud group of lads on a pub crawl dominating the middle of the bar; we almost walked out there and then. Why so little regard for everybody else's experience of the place by people and venue. We persevered and waited at the bar in front of the impressive double row of of beer pumps, but with over 15 to choose from it was difficult to know what to order. We picked up the menu, but it only listed bottled beers. We looked at the cardboard badges, and saw pricing and basic info on one or two but most were just the breweries logo and name of the brew. Correct me if I am wrong but I don't think that is 'correct', you should have a list of products with ABV %, and pricing clearly visible in the bar. The cask ales had a list with ABV's and pricing, why not the others, why no list in the front of the folder, why no descriptions of the beers on the wall in the menu or on the pump clips for any of the beers??? I ordered a Thornbridge Chiron, because I knew the brewery, and hoped it was not going to be too expensive and we took pot luck on a cask beer. The rowdy lot left, thank fully, and we found a seat on some high tables near the bar; the other room was ridiculously bright. Incidentally we noticed a fridge against one wall with bottled beer and wine in it, but would you believe somebody had to come out from behind the bar and unlock it! Our friends arrived so I went to the bar to order, my friend defaulting to what I had had in the absence of any other information. I wanted to try something else, and asked for help which was given, but the higher price was not disclosed so I was only charged for a half. (Nice, thank you) . Maybe the venue they are stuck with, but I am sure they could do a lot more to make it a much better consumer experience. I won't be going back.

Brilliant pub, warm, cosy, characterful with a simply incredible range of beer plus a huge selection of spirits and wine. Amazing discovery.