If you’re anything like me, the world of ‘Craft Beer’ can, at times, feel like a strange and disorientating place. Complete with its own community of experts, specialist order of micro-brewers, limited edition releases and seemingly impenetrable jargon, it’s a brave amateur indeed who dips his or her toe into its waters.

Which is why I couldn’t have been happier (or more relieved) to find myself in the capable hands of local father-and-son duo Paul and Harvey Brown, proud owners of the newly launched craft bar and beer shop; The Craftsman in Warwick, for my first foray into ‘craft-beer tasting’. Needless to say – I wasn’t disappointed!

Located in Warwick town centre, just off the main high street, this recently renovated bar and restaurant comes complete with an impressive menu of 16 rotating beers on tap, showcasing the best of Britain’s independent brewers combined with international best-sellers and certified fan-favourites, all served in a choice of 1/3 pint, 1/2 pint, 2/3 pint, and full pint, not to mention over 50 varieties of canned and bottled beer available to purchase from the venue’s plentifully-stocked onsite shop.

A quick glance about The Craftsman’s hip yet unpretentious interior – complete with exposed brick walls, hardwood floors and tables, industrial-style lighting and a cooling colour palette of charcoal greys, creams and accents of burnt orange and blue – revealed a fantastically diverse clientele; including a thriving local community of ‘craft ale’ enthusiasts, quick to adopt The Craftsman as their spiritual home-from-home. This was a venue designed and built with its community in mind, in which spaciously designed seating areas, expansive booths, a relaxed Americana/Country soundtrack and carefully curated menu offered the perfect background for beer-tasters and visiting diners alike to sit back, socialize and soak up the effortlessly stylish atmosphere.

Invited to sample one of The Craftsman’s signature eight ‘Taster’ flights (also available in a choice of 4s, 6s and an American-sized 16!), our knowledgeable guide, Harvey, couldn’t have been more friendly and informative.

Served with an outpouring of enthusiasm, which was – at all times – welcoming as opposed to patronising, our smorgasbord of samples brought together some of the venue’s best-selling pale ales, including fan-favourites; DEYA’s ‘Steady Rolling Man’ from Gloucestershire (a creamy yet crisp infusion of tropical fruit and hops with zesty pineapple notes) and Verdant Brewing Company’s ‘Sundialer Pale Ale’ from Cornwall, with an adventurous choice of quaffable-Belgian lagers, fruit-ciders and – perhaps most bizarre yet brilliant of all – a beer-smoothie in the form of Azvex MANA; a rich and fruity taste of the tropics poised somewhere between a Pina-Colada and a pint of mild.

And whilst certain not to be to everyone’s taste, it would be wrong not to mention our sampler of ‘stout among stouts’; Emperor’s Scoundrel; a 13.8% volume, smoked imperial Breakfast Stout, the flavour of which almost defies description! Unapologetically powerful with a fullness of body that would rival the world’s strongest man, this dark, satanic brew of malted oats, hops and barley, infused with notes of bitter, dark chocolate, fresh coffee, burnt sugar, and liquorice is not for the feint-hearted…but is, in every way, unforgettable! Just remember to book yourself the morning off the next day…

For something on the lighter side, our sampler of Snails Bank Fruit Bat cider from Herefordshire was both a welcome and refreshing palette-cleanser; bringing together crisp notes of strawberry, raspberry and blackcurrant with ripples of zesty rhubarb and vanilla, just perfect for those long  summer nights socializing with friends. For a taste of the Antipodes, Verdant Brewing Company’s Sniffing the Wrong People was an instant crowd-pleaser; smooth to the taste yet packed full of sweet, full-bodied fruit flavour with hints of citrus, gooseberry and grapefruit. And for the ultimate craft ale connoisseur, ‘Turn on the Lights’ by Manchester-based Track Brewing Company is sure to leave you hopping with glee with its big-bodied blend of pale malt, wheat and bitter oats combined with sweet-tasting lactose.

Of course, no beer-tasting experience is quite complete without a bit of grub and, much like its approach to draft beer, The Craftsman leaves no stone unturned when it comes to the quality of its menu and ingredients. Choosing from a selection of homemade burgers, American and Mexican-style sharing platters, light bites and speciality salads, my choice of Meat Feast pizza cooked on sourdough bread and topped with Italian tomato & herb sauce, fresh buffalo mozzarella, spicy beef, jalapenos, bacon, ham and pepperoni, could not have been a better match for my choice of beverage whilst my partner’s main course of Cajun Chicken Burger, served on a soft brioche bun, garnished with cheese, lettuce, tomato served with paprika fries was worth the price of a return visit alone!

Come for the craft beer but stay for that signature coleslaw!

Add to this, an extensive menu of fresh coffees, iced teas and coolers plus a choice of house wines, champagne and prosecco and you have the ideal location for everything from business brunch to  your next big night out with friends and family.

If the secret to great craft ale is creativity, care and attention to detail and a passion for the personal touch, it seems fitting that The Craftsman, should share so many of those basic ingredients for success. Fully committed to its community of specialist fans, yet – in every way – welcoming to enthusiasts and amateurs alike, this ultra stylish addition to Warwickshire’s thriving food and drink scene is well worth raising a glass to (whatever your tipple of choice!)

A pint-sized success story in the making…

Four stars. Reviewed by Kate Ewings

For more information, visit: craftsmanbars.co.uk