Hops and Glory

Bit disappointed by a recent visit. We sat at a table that was reserved for 8:30 (by a large group obviously as two other tables were also reserved for them). We knew we were leaving before then, so no worries. However at a couple of minutes after 8 the barmaid came over and told us that some people had arrived early from the group and asked us to move. Firstly — I don’t think that is right. Your 8:30 reservation is for 8:30 not whenever you turn up. A few minutes early, sure but 30 minutes early and we get ousted?!? I did suggest this to the barmaid but she didn’t respond. Second — They didn’t even need or sit at the table we had been on. They sat at one of the other tables they had reserved and by the time we finished our drinks and left (before half past) the seats that we had been thrown out of were still free.
This place still does good beer but this visit has really soured me to the place. First time I had brought my wife to the pub too… so that is her only impression of the place now.

I used to live near this pub and knew to come here whenever I fancied solid good beer. Hops and Glory has a great pub-​y feel to its interior and the staff are very friendly and knowledgeable about their stock. I love asking them for recommendations and they never blink an eye if I ask to try a few samples to help me decide which pint of beer from their exhaustive list I want. Seriously, whatever type of taste you’re in the mood for, they usually have a beer that will meet your cravings, whether in bottle form or on tap.
BUT. The reason for the 4 stars instead of 5 is a biggie. It is PRICEY. Though I completely understand why — the alcohol content and the fact a lot of their beers are imported — it’s hard to swallow that just half a pint of strong beer can set you back £5 or so. Eeep. After a few regular visits, your wallet will start to feel very… thin.
Still, I am pulling for this pub to survive and thrive. It’s a great addition to the London pub list, and I look forward to when I can go back to enjoy a few more pints… or half pints, anyway.

For hops! For glory!
I never went to this bar in it’s old form but I did come here for a night of board games and beer, and both were done in an excellent kind of way.
H&G is a beer lover’s beer bar, with beer. It’s got your normal pub feeling inside (wood floor, wood tables, wood bar) with a small patio with picnic tables outside. Sparsely decorated but with big windows giving it nice light. It’s a comfortable spot.
We reserved a table for 12 and though it wasn’t ready when we arrived, they set it up quickly when we got there. And then weren’t annoyed when only seven showed up and we moved to a smaller table in the corner. They do limited food and a ton of beer. 12 on tap and over 50 in the fridge. Can’t beat that.
Couple tech problems while I was there. Beer pumps didn’t work, they ran out of pork pies and they’d taken down the sign with all the beers so it was hard to figure out what they had. Yet, they remedied all of this: They fixed the beer pump so I could get a certain type of beer (mmm, cherry Kriek), instead of pork pies they served the amazing Big Apple Hot Dogs which were delicious and the bartender was able to recommend a ton of beers I liked. Great service, great spot.
It’s a little too far for me to come to all the time, but overall, a great spot to sit and drink with friends.

Hot dogs, a reasonable selection of beer, friendly and inclusive service (bicycles, dogs and children are welcomed), excellent music and a get out of jail free card when picking pricey bottled beers… versus a restricted food menu and a lack of truly unusual beers. Hops and Glory is a notable craft beer-​orientated pub, but it’s not quite worthy of 5 star perfection.
So, those strengths. The beer range is the main one: 13 beers on keg, 3 ales on cask and over 60 different types of bottled beer in the fridge. Nothing truly exotic, but certainly more than enough to keep beer-​lovers happy for a fair while — Kernel, Stone & Wood and Trappist beers were the highlights for me. The staff are friendly, happily reserving a space for 12 people on bank holiday Monday and helpfully talking me through the beers on offer. Best of all was the offer by the enthusiastic Aussie barman to get me something else when he recommended a rather pricey Lambic raspberry beer, which was definitely appreciated. Funky music (Kings of Convenience, David Bowie) played over the speakers, ideal for stoking the highs of the good beer here and board game banter.
Food is however limited. No roasts, no burgers, no fish and chips, bangers and mash or other typical mains. Instead their menu is composed of snacks such as toasted sandwiches, pork pies and the clear stand for me: Big Apple hot dogs which at £5 were tasty and affordable snacks to fill up on. Not great then, but a reasonable make do.
Overall then, the beer and the friendly service make this worth popping by if you’re in the neighbourhood, if not quite crossing London for. And unless filling up on hot dogs is your thing, you may wish to eat elsewhere.

Hops & Glory… see what they did there?
So The George Orwell is no more, not that I ever went in, but in its place stands H&G — a bar for beer drinkers with about 13 beers on tap and over 60 in the fridge (I’ve read their website, I wasn’t counting… I wasn’t even able to count by the time I left).
We went for a staff do and the bar staff were friendly and knew their beer, good job because I recognised nothing and certainly DO NOT know my beer. After a few questions from them about what I like and dislike they recommended a beer that I was quite happy to drink. I tried a few others too but after a while it became a bit like russian roulette instead.
I got the impression the décor hasn’t changed much (one sign still read the George Orwell) just what’s being served behind the bar. It’s a bit out of the way if you don’t live in the area but Highbury & Islington is not too far away. They do do food but I am yet to try it.