Beer, beer and more beer, the aptly named Bierodrome has a unique and exciting collection of beer, although it does come at a price. Worth a visit to experience a little taste of Belgium in the heart of Clapham.

The Venue
A popular chain of Belgian bars, the interior is modern with a definite chain bar edge. As with most bars nowadays, the obligatory plasma screen is there for anyone interested in sport, but with DJs on Fridays and Saturdays and an unusually large outdoor area there are a few surprises. There are plenty of bookable booths available free of charge if you are in a group, and it’s an undeniably comfortable venue to enjoy one of the many beers on offer.

The Atmosphere
During the day, it’s perhaps surprising to see families with children visiting for lunch and a latte, alongside tourists popping in whilst sightseeing. However, as you may expect, the clientele changes significantly by the evening with a younger following of after work drinkers, mainly locals. Weekends, people travel in from further afield as Clapham lives up to its party hotspot name. With such a large range of beers on offer there is a skew towards men and beer-lovers, but it’s not uncomfortably exclusive.

The Food
There’s a large food menu on offer at Bierodrome with a slant towards Belgian cuisine. Starters costing from £4.50 for croquettes with cheddar, gruyere and Orval beer cheese and piccalilli. Mussels are the house speciality and start at a well priced £5.95 for a starter or £11.50 for a main course (with frites). L’Escargot are also available at £9.50. Rotisserie chicken is on offer basted in beer and apple juice, with frites and a choice of sauces at £9.50. A real draw of this venue is if you try a main course at lunch time, kids eat free.

Main courses range from £8.95 for pork and leek or wild boar sausages with Belgian mash and berry jus. Pan fried cod fillet with spinach mash and raspberry beer, port and shallot sauce is £12.50. All desserts are £4.50 with choices like Belgian dark chocolate cheesecake or Leffe beer ice cream with pralines and sirop de liege.

The Drink
As you would expect, the majority of the beers found here are Belgian and the selection is excellent, although the prices can be quite high for the premiums. The list is endless with choices from ales and lagers that are blonde, amber, dark, fruit monastic and the best of the rest. Prices are from £3.85 for a pint of Vedette rising to £12.75 for a Chimay Grand Reserve, which is a trappist beer (brewed by trappist monks). There are only six monasteries in Belgium where this is brewed, all inside monastery walls. If you prefer the more well known brands then Leffe, Amstel, Cristal, Fruili, Hoegaarden are some of the other choices on tap with Corona, Duvel, Vedett, Peroni, Brugs and Chimay found in bottles.

However, if you’re not a beer fan then you won't be left wanting, the wine list is also extensive with a choice of twelve whites, starting at £13.50 for a Vin de Pays, rising to £24.95 for a French Chablis. There are also two rose bottles starting at £15.95 for a Domaine Montrose Rose. There are also twelve choices of red, ranging from the house Merlot at £13.50, rising to a nice Pinot Noir at £24.95 a bottle. Champagne costs from £32.50 rising to £75 for a bottle of Bollinger.

The Last Word
This is an impressive bar with a plethora of decent and unusual beers available. Combine this with the live DJs it is well worth its 4 star rating.

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