Taken to CASK

Curious to check out a pub that’s been the subject of a lot of attention in the beer blogosphere in recent months, my friend N. and I  headed to Pimlico to have lunch at The CASK Pub & Kitchen in Pimlico. Situated rather incongruously at the foot of an unlovely 70s block of flats just off Vauxhall Bridge Road, the exterior of the Cask doesn’t offer much of a clue to what lies within. Even the interior, all stripped floorboards and plain painted walls, is anonymous, but functional, with an unfortunate tendency to amplify background noise which might prove a problem in the evenings.

However, as soon as you set eyes on the bar, the attraction of the CASK becomes clear. For one thing, the eight pumps, including three pumps dedicated to Thornbridge beers. When we visited these were Lord Marples, Brock and the utterly sublime Raven, plus five other real ales (Nethergate Barfly, Dark Star Hophead and Sussex Extra Stout, Earl Soham Brandeston Gold and another whose name escapes me). If that wasn’t enough, there’s Rothaus Pil and Hefeweizen and Andechser Spezial Hell, plus Brugse Zot Bruin and Blond and Mort Subite, on keg. There’s a good selection of German and Belgian bottles as well. The staff seemed very friendly and well-informed and the beers were all in tip-top condition. We tried a couple of dishes from the lunchtime menu. My aubergine, sun-dried tomato and mozzarella panini was fine and N.’s burger was obviously home-made with good quality meat. Both dishes came with very generous portions of french fries. I understand that there have been some complaints about the prices, but the cost seemed perfectly acceptable for central London.

There seems to be some rather regrettable commenting and kvetching going on at Beer in the Evening over the ratings for the CASK. Ignore the idiot trolls. No, this isn’t the best pub in the country, but it is very, very good and well-worth your time and money. Handy for both Victoria station and Tate Britain too. I’ll certainly be returning when I visit the Henry Moore exhibition at the Tate.

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