The Laboratory

The space

The Laboratory occupies a converted shopfront on Tindal Street, close to the market area, with an interior that is functional in the best possible sense - every design decision serves the beer. A wall of taps runs behind the bar; the refrigerated can and bottle section runs the opposite wall. Seating is a mix of high stools and low tables. Nothing is decorative for the sake of it.

What to drink

The keg list runs to twelve taps, rotating weekly, with a strong representation of East Anglian and London breweries alongside international additions. The can and bottle range is the most comprehensive in Chelmsford - three hundred-plus SKUs at the last count, organised by style rather than by brewery.

The staff know the list and can recommend by flavour profile rather than by brand name, which is the mark of a beer bar operating at a serious level.

The verdict

The Laboratory has been running for over a decade and has not become complacent. The rotation remains genuinely interesting, the condition of draught pours is meticulous, and the pricing reflects the quality without gouging. It is the reason Chelmsford has a legitimate craft beer scene rather than just a couple of pubs that stock a few interesting cans.