Hop Gate

No Longer In Business

Visited 30/12/2016, located down an alley probably quite easy to walk passed, quite a modern bar with about 8 keg and about 4 cask on offer, bottle fridge of about 50 different bottles, some decent stuff from omnipollo, probably need to sort the heating out was almost like sitting outside.

Split-level modern bar situated up a small alley. Constantly changing range of up to 14 craft keg beers and 4 cask ales all served from the back wall. Large selection of bottles and cans.

Visited on 22nd October 2016. It’s an odd little place, down an alley way and it’s long and narrow. The decor is very minimal with exposed brickwork, tiled floors etc as is the norm for a craft beer bar. Really good range of beer on cask and keg plus a bottle list, staff were happy to offer samples, prices a bit higher but nothing too outrageous. Seemed to get a good mixed crowd in the place. Liked this place and would definitely revisit.

We visited Hop Gate on Saturday 10th September 2016, we being me, Loz, dad and Pauline. This place is very centrally located, I guess its described in trendy parlance as being in the Cathedral Quarter, its certainly close to the Cathedral and the main Sq in Derby so places like the Olde Dolphin and even the Flowerpots are close neighbours. Look for the sign and A frame outside as it can be easy to miss as it is reminiscent of one of the Brussels alley pubs as you have to go down a short alley to access this place.

Inside it is now what I guess could be described as the Industry norm’, i.e. simply furnished with exposed brickwork, a wooden clad bar, tiled floor and fairly plain but comfortable chairs and tables. As you exit the alley into the bar there is a tiny little alcove/snug which could probably seat 6 or so at a push some further seating with 2-3 more tables on this level before a slight step up to the bar which has standing room and may have a further table up here (can’t be sure) The beer list is displayed on the LH side up here and the bar is straight ahead. If you bear right near the bar there is an outside patio area and toilets this way, we sat in the snug/alcove.

Beer choice was pretty decent with De Molen Pizza Porter, Beavertown Peacherman, Burning Sky Arise, Buxton Moor Top, plus a Stone beer Paskala? there were many more but these were what I could recall. You could have thirds, if wanting to try a few and the bar staff were happy to let you have tasters.

I understand from looking about on the internet that this enterprise has been set up by Barrel Drop, Nottingham. It seems to be quite popular and by offering both cask and keg will appeal to a wide audience. We quite liked it here and stayed for three beers, the bottle and can selection is also pretty good. It is still finding its feet and for me the Furnace is still first on my list in Derby but this will become pretty popular with beer aficionados and is sure to do very well.