Brew Dog: Punk Drunk

David Mentiply took one for the team and reviews a night on the town at London’s new Brew Dog pub in Camden.

BrewDog already had a name for itself north of the border – it being Scotland’s largest independently owned brewery and a champion of ‘punk spirit’. That’s right, BrewDog are ‘proud to be alternative’ and revel in the image of being outsiders.

They see themselves as Davids taking on the Goliaths of the business world and even took on the drinks industry watchdog, the Portman Group, who attempted to ban some of their more lethal concoctions. They overturned Portman’s ruling, and proceeded, amidst widespread controversy, to up the ante by brewing ever stronger beers. Over the last year and a half, BrewDog has traded in on their reputation and opened bars in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Now it’s London’s turn.

On entering BrewDog, two things struck me – it was busy, and the lack of women sent the gender ratio off the scale. Looking back, both were to be expected – it being a Friday night in a Camden Town craft beer specialist.

The bar staff were friendly – they didn’t mind us propping up the bar – and seemed genuinely very knowledgeable about their beers. I chose a Punk IPA from the menu whilst my friend went for the 5AM Saint. The Punk was a lovely golden colour. Fruity, yet with a crisp and bitter finish. Divine. Next was a pilsner-style lager – the 77. Nice and refreshing but unfortunately it didn’t come on draught so I had to make do with a bottle.

After leaving BrewDog and peering inside a couple of Camden’s less salubrious drinking saloons, we went scurrying back. It was still busy but this time we noticed there is also a downstairs area. Rather cautiously, I opted for another pint of Punk. Perhaps next time I will be more adventurous and try a Hardcore IPA (9.2%), the Tactical Nuclear Penguin (32%) or Sink the Bismarck! (41%).

BrewDog is deserving of the good press it has received. I only hope they will consider expanding across London and take the fight to the pub chains that have become ubiquitous. London needs more of the BrewDog spirit.