This weekend I found myself in Herne Hill, in search of some craft beer on Saturday afternoon. I was with great pleasure that I think stumbled across the Canopy Beer Co and their tap room.
TAPROOM
Beers are priced from a very competitive £3.50 – £4.00 for a pint and styles ranged from Kolsch to Saison to Red IPA. As well as around 10 of their own beers they have a few national heros on draught such as Wiper & True and Magic Rock.
The modest space was rammed (especially outside) with a steady stream of people coming to visit all afternoon, some hung around for a beer and others made use of the milk-carton-style disposable growlers and took them to Brockwell Park over the road.
In a welcome change from most who only open on Saturday afternoons the tap room is open five days as week: 5pm-11pm on Wednesday to Friday, Saturday midday to 11pm and Sunday midday to 10pm.
BEERS
I tried three of their beers; Kolsch, Pale Ale and Rye IPA. Overall I was impressed by the range of styles they brew and the quality of beer produced.
I found the Kolsch pleasant but a little light on bittering hops for my taste, I was however very impressed that there were no significant off flavours, hard to do in such an unforgiving style.
Journeyman Pale Ale was my favourite, a classic APA available in bottle, keg and cask. They had avoided the pitfall of many newer breweries and made it well balanced between the pale malt character and aromatic hop load.
The Rye IPA is (I think) one of their newer creations and had a tartness to it that made me think of Rodenbach, not unpleasant, but possibly not intentional either.
SUMMARY
All in all, I love this place, it truly feels like the brewery is at the centre of the local community and I strongly recommend you visit on a Sunday when there is a bustling market over the road.
More info here:
https://twitter.com/CanopyBeerCo
Malt Mash Boil 