Bottle House, Leighton Buzzard

As previously mentioned a tiny bottle shop/craft bar. Shelves of bottles and cans line one wall whilst opposite there were three fully stocked fridges. Ten keg taps with beers from some of the country's top craft producers, beers from, Mad Squirrel, Siren, Verdant, Neonraptor, Vibrant Forest and Vault City, I had a very pleasant Vibrant Forest Misty Woods. A very nice set up.

As the name suggests, mostly a bottle shop with an impressive selection from the shelves on one side of the narrow shop unit and in the fridges opposite. Just enough space for a pair of very small, high tables in between; with another couple more at the far end by the till area. However, there's an interesting choice of ten craft keg beers from the electric pumps units on what passes for a bar-back. In the end, on a scorchingly hot day, I went the lightest beer on offer: Mad Squirrel's Rice Rice Baby (£6.30).

Bottle shop on Leighton Buzzard High Street with a good selection of KeyKeg beers (good enough for CAMRA to list it in the Good Beer Guide) and plenty of bottles and cans. The shop is a single small room with very little drinking space. It is inevitable that you will end up engaging in conversation with the owner and fellow customers, including those popping in to buy some take-away beer. The keg selection was Emperor's Bespin Duel, Verdant Solid State & Baby Sharks, Siren Mesmerist & Broken Dream, Mad Squirrel Post Rider & Polly's In Dreams. I opted for the sensible option of the 3.4% Post Rider but after much chat about one particular beer in the shop, I weakened and ordered a third of the 13.9% Bespin Duel! Both were very good beers. The owner is a friendly guy and is very knowledgeable about beers and the local drinking scene. The shop appears to be more of a passion for him than a business but his good nature will undoubtedly attract him repeat business. Sadly not living locally, I may not be one of those repeat customers but if you are local, this is a worthy business to support.

Facebook page of Bottle House - www.facebook.com

Facebook page of Bottle House - www.facebook.com

Recently opened micropub in a long,narrow interior with racks of bottles and cans for sale,a drinking shelf in the front window and a small key keg bar at the rear where bench seating is available. The guv'nor is a friendly chap ,a good host and made us feel welcome.The locals are a chatty bunch too,conversation flowed easily. Draught beer will always be key keg,so not fizzy and the chiller unit isn't cranked up to 11,so temperature fine.Four choices on my trip from Redchurch brewed house lager called Leighton Lager (NBSS 3.5),Staggeringly Good Little Arms Big Ambition (NBSS 4) ,Mad Squirrel Sumo and Aztec (NBSS 4.5),a superb strong 6.4% IPA which hides it power dangerously. This was a great visit and I will most certainly be back.Beer tasting sessions are organised as well as a quiz and the guv'nor will source beer from far and wide,he is a knowlegeable chap on the beer front.Opening hours need to be checked before planning a visit,closed on Monday and Tuesday and after 10pm unless demand warrants staying open later. A must visit in LB,good double header with the Black Lion almost next door.