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Drifting Through Essex One Micropub at a Time
A relaxed wander through Essex and London’s beer spots, starting in Upminster where the Taproom’s laid-back vibe set things off nicely. Each stop had its own personality — the friendly Hop Inn in Hornchurch, Gidea Park’s cosy front-room feel, and Brentwood’s farm brewery festival with plenty of good chat and great beer. The Peasants’ Revolt added a fun mix of history and warmth before I finally rolled into the Euston Tap, tucked inside its quirky little stone lodge. By the end, it all felt less like a planned trip and more like drifting from one good story to the next.
Upminster started out as a small rural stop and gradually turned into a busy town as farming, travel and later suburban growth shaped it. Hornchurch grew around its old medieval priory before becoming the lively place it is now. Gidea Park came along in the early 1900s as a planned garden suburb, full of character. Brentwood began as a medieval coaching stop on the way to London and steadily grew through trade and travel into the modern town people know today. Each spot has its own story, but together they paint a relaxed, down-to-earth picture of this part of Essex.
Upminster
Upminster Taproom – Micropub
My first visit yesterday was to Upminster TapRoom – Micropub. The Upminster Taproom began as a office before being converted and opening on 21 November 2015. It follows a long line of local spots Upminster has had over the years, going back to when the town was a handy stopping point between London and the Thames. As Upminster grew in the nineteenth century, these small places to meet became part of daily life, somewhere people chatted, shared news and kept up with what was going on. The Taproom simply carries that same easygoing spirit forward today, keeping a bit of Upminster’s local history alive.
Inside, the Upminster Taproom feels easy-going and comfortable, the sort of place you can walk into without overthinking it. The layout is open and straightforward, with plenty of space to grab a seat and settle in. The décor is simple—warm lighting, unfussy furniture and a mix of long tables and smaller ones, so you can either chat with others or tuck yourself away. The atmosphere stays relaxed and friendly, making it somewhere people drift in for a catch-up and often stay longer than planned. Cosy, casual and welcoming.
A great warm welcome from Jordan and Jack today when I arrived. Serving a selection of 8 cask ales, mostly from local breweries varying in style, along with 2 keg beers and a wide variety of ciders. I went for “Sparks” from The Mighty Oak Brewing Company. A fantastic English IPA hopped with Zappa. Very easy drinking and tasty.
I jumped on the Liberty Line train from Upminster to Emerson Park to visit The Hop Inn.
Hornchurch
The Hop Inn
The Hop Inn opened in December 2019, taking over a former beauty clinic and turning it into a cosy little micropub. From day one it set out to be a friendly spot for people to meet, chat, and unwind without any of the usual pub noise or screens. Even though it’s only been around a short while, it’s made a big name for itself, winning CAMRA’s National Cider & Perry Pub of the Year in 2022, along with several Greater London Cider Pub awards. In just a few years, it’s become a much-loved part of Hornchurch’s social life.
The Hop Inn feels instantly comfy and relaxed. You’ve got handwritten chalkboards above the bar, casks on show, and simple wooden tables and stools that make it easy to settle in. The little snug, which used to be the Hop Shop, adds a cosy corner with soft lighting and some laid-back artwork, including a brewing mural that gives the place a bit of personality. Natural light pours in through the front windows, and with no TVs blaring, it stays calm and friendly. Overall, it’s the sort of place where you can grab a pint, unwind, and feel at home straight away.
A fantastic warm welcome from Connor and the regular customers when I arrived today. On the bar a selection of 4 cask ales, 4 keg beers/ciders, 10 Real Ciders and a great bottle selection. “Amarillo” from Crouch Vale was my beer choice. A delicious and super tasty Premium Golden Ale, packed full of Amarillo Hops.
Back on the Liberty Line again to Romford and changing onto the Elizabeth Line to Gidea Park to visit Gidea Park Micropub.
Gidea Park
Gidea Park Micropub
Gidea Park Micropub opened in 2017, turning what used to be a small accountants’ office into a cosy, laid-back spot for people to meet and chat. Set up by locals, it kept things simple and welcoming rather than flashy, quickly becoming a favourite hangout for anyone after a relaxed atmosphere. Over the years it’s hosted easy-going events, backed small producers, and built a friendly, loyal crowd. It may be tiny, but it’s played a big part in keeping old-school, sociable pub culture alive in Gidea Park.
Walk into Gidea Park Micropub and it feels a bit like stepping into someone’s cosy front room. Chalkboards cover the walls and warm bulbs hang low, giving everything a soft, relaxed glow. Sunlight pours in through the big front windows, lighting up the colourful clips and boards dotted around the place. There’s no TV or loud music, so people just chat naturally, and the close-set tables make it easy to drift into conversation. It’s small, friendly, and unpretentious — the kind of spot where you instantly feel at ease without anyone trying too hard.
A fantastic warm welcome from Trevor when I arrived and was great chatting. Drinks wise a selection of 5 cask ales, 9 keg beers and a selection of 13 ciders. I opted to go with “Serious Moonlight” from Pomona Island Brew Co. A super hazy and super tasty New England Pale Ale. Full of flavour and so easy to drink.
Brentwood
Brentwood Brewing Co
A short train journey from Gidea Park to Brentwood, and the first of 2 visits here was a short taxi ride to Brentwood Brewing Co. Brentwood Brewing Company kicked off back in 2006 when friends Roland Kannor and Dave Holmes decided they could brew something tastier than what they were finding in local pubs. They started out in a mate’s garage with a tiny set-up, things snowballed, and before long they’d moved into a proper 20-barrel brewery and eventually settled at Calcott Hall Farm. Since then they’ve kept things fun — mixing classic styles with more playful ideas and launching the Elephant School range along the way. Now everything they brew is gluten-free, the bottled stuff’s vegan-friendly, and the whole operation still feels refreshingly straightforward and community-minded.
Their taproom has a really easy-going feel — a mix of comfy indoor space and chilled outdoor seating where you can try their beers, including the fun Elephant School stuff. Being on Calcott Hall Farm gives it a relaxed countryside feel, and there’s a little shop if you fancy taking a few bottles home. They put on a couple of festivals each year, like the St George’s one in spring and their brilliant Christmas Beer Festival. I was there for the Christmas one, and it was great — proper festive atmosphere, good beer, friendly people, and just a nice place to hang out.
Was great chatting to one of the brewers Neil and Sales Rep Constance whilst I was there. On the taproom bar they had a range of 4 cask ales along with several draught options. The festival bar outside had a great line up of 10 beers along with a mulled cider. So many great options! I started with their own “Christmas Cracker”. A light and easy drinking Pale Ale. I moved onto a beer from their craft side “A Pub’s Not Just For Christmas” from Elephant School Brewing. A really tasty and sessionable Amber Ale.
The Peasants’ Revolt
Next up was The Peasants’ Revolt. The Peasants Revolt Micropub in Brentwood takes its name from the 1381 rising, when Essex rebels marched toward London demanding fairer taxes and justice. It opened on 29 January 2022 in a unit that used to be a bridal-wear shop, and was set up as a cosy, relaxed spot with a nod to the town’s medieval past. Even though it’s a modern place, it keeps the spirit of the old revolt alive, and has quickly become known for its friendly feel, good ales and community vibe.
Inside has a cosy, no-fuss look — wooden tables, simple décor and a relaxed vibe that makes it easy to settle in. It started out as just one small room, but later expanded into the shop next door, giving everyone a bit more space while keeping the same laid-back feel. The new area matches the original: warm, straightforward and comfortable, with a lived-in style that suits the place. It’s the kind of spot where things feel easy and welcoming as soon as you walk through the door.
Was great meeting and chatting to Mason and Jed while in here. On the bar a selection of 2 cask ales and 12 keg lines to choose from. I went with “Wonky Donkey” from The Mighty Oak Brewing Company. One of their Christmas Specials. A super pale, hoppy and sessionable Pale Ale.
London Euston
Euston Tap
Last up was to Euston Tap. The Euston Tap lives in two compact stone lodges from the 1870s, once part of the old entrance to Euston Station. They originally worked as gatehouses and offices, quietly overlooking the station traffic. When most of historic Euston was flattened in the 1960s—including the Doric Arch—these little buildings somehow dodged the bulldozers. They sat around for decades with no real purpose until 2011, when they were given a fresh start as pubs: one as the main Tap, the other as the cider-focused sister bar which closed and became part of the Euston Tap. They’re now some of the last surviving pieces of old Euston, with a much livelier job than before.
Inside the Euston Tap, it’s small, lively and a bit quirky in the best way. You walk into a snug stone lodge with a bar that feels almost tucked into the walls. People gather around high tables, squeezing in where they can, and there’s a steady buzz from travellers and regulars drifting through. Up the narrow staircase you’ll find a couple of airy rooms with big windows overlooking the station, great for a quieter chat. The place keeps things simple and lets the old architecture shine. It’s informal, slightly chaotic at busy times, but has a charm that makes it easy to settle into.
Drinks wise a great range of 20 keg lines, 5 cask lines and a choice of other drinks and bottles. I went for a cask beer, “Trinity” from Redemption Brewing Co. A Pale Ale brewed using 3 different malts and 3 different hops, giving a great flavour and lovely mouthfeel.
Micropub Adventures 