Red Lion E11

London’s Best Beer, Pubs and Bars updates
East London: Leyton, Leytonstone and Walthamstow

Red Lion, London E11

Contemporary pub, specialist (Antic)
640 High Road E11 3AA
T (020) 8988 2929 W www.theredlionleytonstone.com tw red_lion_e11
Open 1600 (1200 Sat-Sun)-2300 (2400 Thu, 0200 Fri-Sat). Children very welcome until 2100.
Cask beers 10 (unusual often local guests) Cask marque, Other beers 5 keg, 60 bottles (mainly UK), Also 4 real ciders, 20+ wines.
Food Short imaginative pub grub/gastro menu, Outdoor Picnic tables on street, Wifi. Disabled toilet.
Sun fortnightly jazz, seasonal theme events, bar billiards, board games.

Pubs that are part of the Antic “collective” can usually be relied upon for a few decent beers, but the Red Lion is the innovative pubco’s most serious commitment yet to satisfying the eclectic tastes of London’s growing number of fine beer connoisseurs. It’s a big, chunky street corner pub just across from Leytonstone church and very near the Tube, which until reopening under its original name in June 2011 had endured a brief interlude as a South African theme bar called Zulus. Inside is a big single space with Antic’s usual mix of quirky decorations, lounge furniture and standard lamps and heritage features including an entrance floor mosaic that is crying out for restoration. You do wonder a little about the success of deliberately distressed decor when staff feel the need to tell you that the bare bricks and patchwork stripped paint doors are “meant to look that way.”

Still, such details are unlikely to trouble you once you take in the mouthwatering selection on offer at the big bar with its imposing wooden bar back. Ten handpumps offer a constantly changing selection that favours local breweries — Brodie’s, Camden Town, East London, Redemption — and unusual choices from further afield — beers from B&T, Blindman, Dark Star, Holt, Otley, Outstanding or Thornbridge might be on. Styles are likely to encompass dark beers and specialities. Camden Town Hells leads a craft keg quintet that might include BrewDog, Harviestoun, Thornbridge or a US import. Around 60 bottles are largely sourced from the UK with local offerings from Redchurch, quite a range from the rarely seen Grain, plus reliable quality from BrewDog, Dark Star, Otley and Thornbridge. Imports include Duvel-Moortgat’s Maredsous abbey beers and Sierra Nevada’s serious barley wine Bigfoot. It’s a well conceived list combining craft favourites with a few unexpected surprises that attests to the expertise of manager Mark and his staff.

Decent and not too pricey food from a shortish, changing menu is listed on the usual clipboards, ranging from snacks like chipolatas with spiced mustard to main courses of curried butternut squash, spaghetti with smoked salmon and puy lentils, steaks and posh pork chops. These can be enjoyed in the main drinking area or in a smallish, more secluded space set aside for diners. Dog friendliness extends to dog biscuits in a jar on the bar. Combining a great beer choice with a proper pub feel and a decent amount of space, this is a very welcome east London newcomer.

Insider tip. Remember your membership card — CAMRA members enjoy 10% discount on the cask beers.

Underground Leytonstone Cycling LCN+ Wanstead/Redbridge – Stratford Walking Epping Forest Centenary Walk