With 17 draught beers and 50 bottled beers from all over the world, the second Draft House – the first is on Northcote Road in Clapham - is a truly extraordinary experience for anyone with even a fleeting interest in ale. Add to this great food and friendly, knowledgeable staff and Draft House Westbridge is sure to have you coming back again and again.

The Venue
Located on the south side of Battersea Bridge, the venue sits next to busy road and has a narrow, sheltered outside area, which you pass through before walking into an open-plan bar and kitchen. The interior is simple, comfortable and understated. The bar and restaurant is very well integrated as there are both quiet corners for a relaxing meal and tables to chat around in a communal fashion. The upstairs area, including a separate bar and dining room called the Battersea Party Rooms, offers elegant and glamorous to hire for private parties and functions.

The Atmosphere
You will get a warm welcome from staff and the there’s a lively, upbeat atmosphere. Friday and Saturday evenings typically attract local professionals looking to unwind. The nearby college, offices and upmarket Battersea residents make up trade of this establishment throughout the rest of the week. Visitors to Battersea Park are more likely to find themselves here on a Sunday afternoon and the food and beer selection is attracting an increasing number of people from outside the local boundaries.

The Food
The menu is varied, the prices are reasonable and the servings generous and well presented. The ham hock (£4.75) is a definite must. The shredded ham is delicately seasoned and is perfectly complemented by the contrast of the accompanying pickled onions and rustic toasted bread. Alternatively, the squid and chorizo (£6.00) is an extraordinary starter. Served on a bed of lettuce, drizzled with creamy balsamic vinegar on the side, the healthy helpings of spicy chorizo and the tender squid make for quite a meaty starter.

The diverse main menu ranges from fennel and feta salad with pomegranate seeds to steamed cockles and mussels. The corned beef hash with poached egg and Hollandaise (£7.50) is not something you will find on a typical pub menu. The tender chunks of meat served with cubed potatoes has an almost sweet flavour. This together with the perfectly poached egg and creamy Hollandaise makes this dish a perfect find for someone looking to try something different. The rib-eye steak and hand cut chips (£13.75) is the most expensive dish on the menu and is a little disappointing as it's overcooked, so be sure to place particular emphasis on your preference. The chips are perfectly cooked, soft on the inside and crispy on the outside and the beer battered onion rings (£2.75) are some of the best you will come across. Golden, light, crispy batter covers the soft onions, making for the perfect side order.

Onto desserts and the chocolate pot served with cream (£4.00) is rich and sweet. The runny cream is served in a jug on the side to complement the petite pot of melted dark chocolate. The milky cream together with the slightly bitter taste of dark chocolate is heavenly. Baked cheesecake served with rhubarb puree (£4.00) is symptomatic of another American classic with a British twist. The thick and creamy cake drizzled with the very sweet rhubarb puree is a welcome departure from the ordinary and mundane lemon or passion fruit varieties.

The Drink
As the name suggest the star of the show is the beer. Served in thirds, halves or pints, the selection is nothing short of superb. A definite must-try are the third of a pint glasses which allow you to enjoy three different beers from 17 draught beers in total. They’re split into sections – including The Unusuals, The Darks and The Ales – and this allows you to sample the likes of Anchor Steam, Budvar Dark and Adnams Seasonal. Three third measures will cost you in the region of £3.50, so this is perfect for the beer connoisseur or anyone looking to try something different. 50 bottled beers sourced from all over the world include gems like the delightful Little Creatures Pale Ale from Western Australia and The Honkers Ale from America. A handful of ciders are also included on the menu.

The wine should not to be discounted. The variety ranges from one of England’s finest sparkling wines (Chapel Down Brut NV) to Krug Champagne. The wine list (£13.75-£30) embraces the best of the old world and the new, such as the Tuscan Chianti and South African Neil Joubert Chenin Blanc. The variety of hard liquor mirrors the wine and beer selection as it is extensive, sourced from all over the world and offers something for everyone.

The Last Word
It is very easy for a place to go awry when they try to be too many things to too many people. Fortunately, the Draft House gets it spot on. Both the food and drink menu caters for everyone and, as there is sure to be something interesting for everyone to try, it allows a most enjoyable journey around the beers of the world, and a fine gastronomic experience to boot.

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