McMullen's Tap

The space

Old Cross is one of Hertford’s older streets, running between the castle and the town centre, and McMullen’s Tap sits on it in a building that the brewery has occupied for well over a century. The interior is narrow, low, and lit by natural light from the front windows and by bar lighting at the back. It is not a sophisticated space, but it is an honest one.

What to drink

The full McMullen’s range is on here - usually five or six casks, including seasonal and special releases that do not appear in the tied estate. This is the advantage of the brewery tap: you drink what the brewery is actually making, including the things they only produce in small quantities. Prices are the lowest for quality cask ale in Hertford.

The verdict

McMullen’s Tap is not the place to go for a varied beer selection or a sophisticated evening - it is the place to go to drink very good McMullen’s ale at prices that make you wonder how anyone makes money. The answer is that the brewery subsidises it as a showcase, which is the correct decision.