New Draft House pub launches in Clapham

6th January 2010, 9:27am

The Draft House, a public house offering one of the widest ranges of draft and bottled beers in London, has opened on Northcote Road, Clapham.

Operator Charlie McVeigh's plan is to launch other Draft Houses in 2010 and beyond, starting with the conversion of The Westbridge into The Westbridge Draft House at the beginning of February 2010.

He said: "We want to do for beer what our culture has done for food and wine in the past 20 years, namely to take it seriously. In beer terms this means being passionate about the sourcing, cellaring and serving of a diverse range of local and international beers of all descriptions.

"We read every day that fifty pubs a week are closing and beer sales are in inexorable decline. Yet, well-run pubs as well as regional and micro breweries of quality are thriving. We believe passionately that a public house with great beer, good food and genuine warmth still has a place at the centre of every community."

The establishment keeps 17 beers on draft and over 50 beers in bottle hailing from every corner of the globe – all of which are served in the correct glassware. The house ale, Wandle, is sourced from local brewery Sambrook's. The site is also the few pubs in the UK to serve beer in the little-known third of a pint measure, as well as halves and full pints. For those unable to make up their minds, the 'Pint of Thirds' does what it says on the tin – three beers, each served in a third of a pint glass.

Meanwhile the menu, designed by McVeigh and head chef Simon Noumar in conjunction with restaurant consultant James Kirby, features beer matches such as potted gressingham duck, padron peppers, artisan cheeses and pints of prawns.

Main courses include beer-battered fish & chips with mushy peas; roasted tuscan sausages with lentils and baby fennel; and cockles and mussels (in a Symond's cider and cream sauce).

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• 26 Jan 2011 - New operations director at The Draft House pub group