April 10, 2012
So, the beer selection is ok, lots of Belgian stuff, so for me not that interesting. :p Staff was not exactly friendly, we had to decide very fast on what we wanted to order, no time for chit chat or asking questions or having a sample or two. Just ordered random stuff, wasn’t terribly good. The place was really crowded, guess this is the local hot spot for hipsters. Music was way too loud, tables a bit dirty. Oh, and the whole place smelled like deep frying fat. Not exactly a good location for trying out new beers and writing down a rating. More like a place to get shitfaced with some friends.

May 27, 2011
Probably seems more special to the people who live near it as its pretty shocking area for pubs... Its a decent place, beer selection is pretty decent on cask and on keg its on a par with a Draft House i guess so for this area a godsend probably. The beers were little hit and miss in terms of condition I didnt find staff terribly friendly, interested or with much beer knowledge. If i lived near i would probably come back but otherwise i wouldnt make the journey.

April 29, 2011
Based on a couple of visits on their anniversary fest. Nice selection of beers, many specials. All but one of the beers was in very good condition. Good bottle selection and I was able to take away a few Kernels. Staff were quick to serve (big bonus points for me - can’t stand slovenly service), friendly and helpful. Didn’t try the food but it looked and smelled good and it’s always reassuring to see it cooked in front of you. Could have done without the live jazz band, not because they were bad but because I could not then hear a single word anyone said. Overall a pretty decent pub and I will go back as it’s pretty straightforward to get to from Liverpool Street.

November 20, 2010
Solid pub overall. I visited on a Friday night and the place was packed. The place was in the midst of a London Beer Week so most of the pumps were occupied by London breweries: Meantime, Camden, Redemption. I tried a few beers. They were each in good shape and the prices were pretty fair. Other draft options included Chimay, BrewDog and Mort Subite, as well as some nice bottles including Kernel Brewery. The decor was hip and clean, as was most of the clientele. Would like to visit this spot again.

July 15, 2010 [ Updated June 20, 2011 ]
Enjoyable pub with a good focus on draught beers as well as cask and a solid range to match. Large seating area around the bar with only a few large tables outside. A little out of the way but worth a visit and hope that they can keep up the standards. I’ll be sure to take another look. Great support for London breweries.

May 8, 2010
Visited on 5th May 2010 on a friend’s recommendation. Fairly large corner pub at top of high street. Reopened April 2010. Exterior red, interior maroon walls and green ceiling. Bare floorboards; bar and kitchen at rear maximising space. Tables seat up to four with one or two for larger groups. A few stools around the bar. Exciting and well-kept ale range. Seven ales, one perry and one cider dispensed by handpump; nine European beers also on tap including, quite adventurously, a rauchbier. On my visit there were two Thornbridge, two Brodies and 3 other micros. Cask beers at £3.20 a pint; imports rather more than this although I did not see any actual prices. A fair-priced, no-nonsense food menu is offered with mains ranging from £8.50 to £10.50 apart from a £14.50 rib eye steak. My friend and I enjoyed the German variant of bangers & mash served with sauerkraut and German mustard. Pub is very airy and spacious, and some interesting features have survived its refurbishment – look for the arched, stain-glassed windows and the original if rather battered tiled wall behind the bar. Comfortable lighting; note cut-out faces on the pendant lights over the bar, then see the face collage on the rear wall perpendicular to it. On my visit there was either no music or it was turned very low indeed with conversation ruling the roost. Only "minus" was that I found the seating arrangements rather "gastro" and the building rather large to afford much intimacy. Friendly, keen staff and efficient service. In summary, a splendid beer range,to suit virtually all tastes, a sensible menu and for making the efforts they do they deserve to succeed. Recommended.