New to UK the Australian brewery take over the taps at in Hackney

I had the pleasure of dropping into the bar on the banks of the canal in Hackney the other night after seeking out this  takeover from Pirate Brewery. Anyone that hasn’t had the chance to pop into the chance to get over east to the bar is missing out. It’s in a strange place. Beautiful, but strange. Situated on the banks of the canal in Stratford it feels oddly all alone in a small stretch of brand spanking new facades. These include other drinking-holes and eateries but it’s at Mason and Company where the craft beer lover will find most reward.

Mason and Company Bar from Five Points Brewery

It’s an arm of Five Points brewing so you already know that the core beers are going to be very solid. Add to that the constant rotation of 20 beer taps and you can imagine that this relatively sleepy little stretch of water will soon become rather busy as the occupants of nearly BT offices and Loughborough University get wind of it and as the area become better known. Tonight along with a selection from Cloudwater and Beavertown the taps held the delicious liquid from Pirate Life. They are an Australian brewery with a quirky title who are just starting to extend their reach into the world outside down-under. They will be warmly welcomed if what was on offer continues.

I managed to try each of their IPA, their pale ale and the porter. The IPA was fruity without being overly so and nice and bitter to boot. The porter was also solid but the pale ale was where the real beauty sat. A massive punchy late hit or orangey tangerine followed a sharp but subtle bitterness, almost peel-zest like. A wonderful beer all round and whetted my appetite for more. I’ll be looking up these guys whenever I can and with the new market opening up to them the UK beer scene will hear much more about them soon I’m sure.