21/12/25 - No longer doing real ale, the governor says they have a new " ethos". The new ethos it seems is to turn it into a Bistro - see https://bistrosable.co.uk/eating. We do not know if it is possible to enter just for a drink.

The Smokehouse in Islington re-opened has taken it steady in increasing what is available. It was most recently called House, and originally the Belinda Castle, but it retains its food bias which will grow as they land running.

There is plenty of seating for drinkers and the real ale offerings used to provide local beers. On the four pumps there were beers from Sambrooks, Redemption, London Fields and from further field, Dark Star. This range changed regularly. The latest fashion is to have a selection of craft beers and here there are almost 20 taps in the wall. A printed menu outlines what is available and the local theme continues here with Kernel, Pressure Drop and Meantime, lined up against a good selection of European beers and even cans from America!

Of course, there just had to be Schlenkerla Rauchbier available to complement the pub name. A pub to watch if you like beers from further afield. Serious food served - see their website for times and menus. In the same ownership as Pig and Butcher and Princess of Shoreditch. Tube Highbury and Islington, rail Essex Rd