It is hard to remember a time before the current COVID pandemic. The cacophony of bad news over the past few months, together with social restrictions and the massive impact on peoples livelihoods, makes the ‘pre-COVID’ era seem a distant epoch. In order to remind our readers of better times your correspondent is going to dust off a few overseas brewery visits that were on the blog backburner. A reminder that happier times are ahead of us.
On a visit to the UK not that long ago I managed to punch out quite a number of great little breweries. Let us start with By the Horns Brewing in Wandsworth, London.
Those familiar with craft beer breweries will be used to their natural habitat. They can usually be found in rustic industrial estates wedged between a car electrical place and a business that empties fat from chip fryers.
By the Horns is no different except your correspondent had to forge his way there through a freezing horizontal sleet of snow on what was a miserable London winters afternoon. Still, it made the destination even more enjoyable. I’d obviously arrived during the afternoon lull as it was just me and the staff.
The lads behind bar obviously love what they do as I got a passionate run down on each of the brews I tried. I made short work of a tasting flight – listed below – and was keen for some merch given the brewery name and logo are excellent. Alas. Sold out. This just means I’ll need to return.
COVID has proved fatal some businesses but I am glad to report that By the Horns have re-opened their salubrious taproom (July 4, 2020) and have a refreshed suite of brews available. Superb news.
Hopslinger West Coast IPA: #squintingly good and solid.
Hopadelic Session IPA: Bit of a fruit bomb. Good for a session IPA.
West End Pils: Crisp, clean, nice.
Bastard Brag Black IPA: #squintingly good. Love it.
Spark Dust Brut IPA: Very nice touch to this one. This type can be tricky rich.
Cosmic Warrior Pale Ale: Nice resiny pale.
By The Horns Brewing Co.
Address: 25-27 Summerstown, Wandsworth, London, UK, SW17 0BQ
back of the ferry 