Pub news ========

The Maynard in Crouch End is having a real ale festival from Thursday 6th to Sunday 16th June. As before, the beers will be through the handpumps and from barrels on a stillage behind the bar.

JJ Moons in Kingsbury is having another Battle of the Brewers starting on Monday 10th June and lasting through to Sunday 16th. Beers come from By The Horns, East London and Twickenham breweries.

The Queens Head in Acton Street, Kings Cross has won the Greater London cider pub of the year. Congratulations to them and the presentation will take place at 8pm on Tuesday 31st July.

Two welcome pub re-openings in Hoxton, N1. The Three Crowns at 8 East St is back in business after three years of being part of a building site. Operating from a much larger floor space, on handpump were Wells Eagle, Young's London Gold and Hackney American Pale Ale plus Millwhite's Hedge Layer cider.

And around the corner, the iconic Wenlock Arms - three times North London CAMRA Pub of the Year - is now being run by Heath Ball (of the Red Lion & Sun, Highgate). Ten handpumps have been dispensing Clarence & Fredericks Strong Mild, Sambrook's Wandle, Windsor & Eton Conqueror and many others. Three bag in the box ciders and perries also available including two from London Glider. Welcome back, old friend.

The Tap Room N1 in Islington has reopened. Previously a pop-up bar in the run up to Christmas last year, it is now open as a permanent bar. The stillage behind the bar has been upgraded to a chilled glass fronted cabinet containing eight barrels. The bar now holds four handpumps and five craft keg fonts. Real cider is also available, from the handpump at the moment. Open usual hours, the beer and cider friendly food is meat and cheese platters. Address is 163 Upper Street, just slightly down from Islington town hall.

Only reported a few weeks ago that real ale is now available, over in Kentish Town, Annies Porter Bar has been refurbished into a blues style venue called Hoot'n'Annies. Two handpumps have been retained with one or two real ales available. Full details at http://www.hootnannies.co.uk/