Mother Kelly's

 

This review is for the Vauxhall location. I believe they now have two or three different spots.

A very small bottleshop attached to a very big bar in a former train tunnel or station or something like that. All the package beers are refrigerated and seemed to be as fresh as anything gets in the area (based on my limited date code perusal). They were organized by style (very general/color). They have quite a few local craft beers, a little European and a little American selection. A lot of the non-UK stuff is monstrously expensive but that is to be expected that far from where it's made and on an island. It is at least cool that people get some access to US stuff. They have glasses, shirts, bags, etc. For sale and all the package stuff can be consumed on site. As for that, they have a very ample taplist in their big bar featuring a lot of local micros and stuff from further afield. Including some things that (as far as my understanding goes) are tough to find. The whole place was nice and is worth a visit. They have multiple locations. The service when I went was top notch. All three employees chatted with me (in French and English!), bullshitted about things and gave recommendations, it was kind of out of the way so I get the impression not tons of Americans go there to fill their suitcases. Anyway, great bunch of guys and I wish I would've had time to hang out and have a couple beers with them. Well worth the stop if you're in London.

Purely a craft beer place and not a typical English pub. They are styled after what they call a New York craft pub. Sparse and open, with a single line of 20 taps across the back of the bar. Personally, I liked this place. Very laid back, and a good set up to sit and talk with friends over good beer. Also, a lot (a few hundred) bottles available in the fridge on the left wall. Basically, a great place to go as long as you aren't looking for the British pub experience.