Draft House pubs set for rollout

Pub operator Charlie McVeigh has announced plans to roll out his Draft House concept to more sites in London this year following the launch of his first beer-focused pub on Northcote Road, Clapham in November 2009.

 McVeigh will re-open his Battersea pub the Westbridge as the Westbridge Draft House at the beginning of February where he will concentrate on offering a diverse range of British and international beers, including 17 on draft and 50 bottled.

 He said: "We want to do for beer what our culture has done for food and wine in the past 20 years, namely to take it seriously. In beer terms this means being passionate about the sourcing, cellaring and serving of a diverse range of local and international beers of all descriptions.

 "We read every day that 50 pubs a week are closing and beer sales are in inexorable decline. Yet, well-run pubs as well as regional and micro breweries of quality are thriving."

 Beer at The Draft House is served in half, pint and third of a pint measures for drinkers' unable to make up their minds'.

 Food, created by head chef Simon Noumar, includes a number of dishes designed to match well with beer such as potted Gressingham duck and pints of prawns as well as pub classics such as beer-battered fish and chips with mushy peas.

 Roll out​

 McVeigh, former owner of the Bush Bar & Grill, Woody's nightclub and the Grand Union pub in London, said he was looking to expand the concept to up to three sites this year, depending on the success of the first two pubs.

 The operator, who took over the Westbridge pub and dining room in February 2007, is said to be looking at several suitable sites in the Clapham area for his next Draft House.

 Emma Eversham is Web Editor of www.bighospitality.co.uk​.​