The Howling Hops Tank Bar is located near to the canal at Hackney Wick, close to Old Street Brewery and The Merchant’s Tap, making it a must stop for the craft beer lover. It’s just a minute’s walk from Hackney Wick overground station, and just 2 stops down the line from Stratford.
It advertises itself as the first dedicated UK Tank Bar, with beers pouring straight from the tank. The main bar serving area is indeed impressive with 10 large beer tanks looming over the bar and each beer pouring directly from each.
The brewery itself is directly behind the bar and you smell all kinds of wonderful working brewery aromas and hear brewery sounds emanating from close by. The Tank Bar offers only Howling Hops beers from its tanks although there is an alternative bar area that serves wines, spirits, soft drinks and some alternative beers from a fridge. The tanks offer a nice range of HH beers including a table beer, lager, pale ale. IPA, fruited sour and an Imperial Stout.
The premises has a definite rustic charm about it, but could perhaps do with a fresh coat of paint to improve its ambience further.
Food is available most of the day and evening from its own in-house kitchen which serves delicious fare. On our visit the kitchen was dedicated to producing Sri Lankan Street food which was outstanding and good value.
The Howling Hops Brewery & Tank Bar is open every day from noon until late.