Crafty brews. Friendly faces. This is House of Hops, Swinton.
I love a good crafty taproom. They always attract a friendly crowd with a taste for the experimental. So if you’re anything like me and fancy striking up conversation about alternative music whilst sipping various craft beers, House of Hops Swinton is an absolute must-try.
Owner Claire is one of the friendliest proprietors you will ever meet, being incredibly welcoming and possessing a great knowledge about the lineup of craft beers on tap and in the fridges.
The House of Hops boasts 10 keg lines and the draught lineup always has something for everyone, with a good mix of sour beers, IPAs, lagers, pale ales and ciders. The bright and colourful headline board above the taps clearly labels each drink by type and lists prices for thirds, half pints, schooners and pints. Beer flights are also available with three thirds for 10% off which is a great way to try a little bit of everything.
The decor inside is casual, comfy and homey with plenty of seating. It’s a dog-friendly taproom and there always seems to be plenty of tails wagging in here. For the warmer days, there’s a small beer garden at the back with a shelter, perfect for enjoying a crisp pint in the sunshine. In addition to the great range of beer on the bar and in the fridges, there’s also a great selection of crisps and nuts for ballast.
I love the fact that the prices for the smaller measures are very visible, as when it comes to craft a pint isn’t always what I’m after, particularly with a sour beer, where I’d much prefer a third or a schooner.
On this occasion, I was in the mood for a dark beer and opted for the Marble Coffee Rye Mild 4% abv. It’s only recently, after moving to Greater Manchester, that I’ve become more familiar with the Marble beers, though I’ve long been aware of them. The Coffee Rye Mild went down nicely with its smooth base and a little hint of spice from the rye. The coffee and chocolate flavours were adequate and not overpowering at all. Overall it was a perfect dark pint for enjoying on a dark Autumn evening. Fantastic.
For those who like a bit of creativity with their craft beer, House of Hops also hosts a Sunday Art Club which sounds like a nice way for people to connect over arts and crafts… pun intended. Seriously though this place is friendly, has a great atmosphere and you’re always sure of a ridiculously warm welcome, which is exactly as it should be in a place that’s all about craft beer.
Call in!