Monday 1 October 2012

Brew Lab

There's a great deal of internet buzz about new kid on the block Brew Lab, thanks to the owners having waged an extremely successful online media campaign over the last few years. As a result, from the first day they were full of excited customers. And rightly so.

Brew Lab launch


It's large; there are three seating areas with a range of seating from sofas and armchairs to large tables, with one- and two-seater options inbetween. They've managed to take the half-finished look that Black Medicine have used for years and make it seem strangely right, perhaps helped by the furniture being considerably more comfortable.

Brew Lab launch


It's nicely lit, the music is quite bearable - I didn't feel the need to hide behind my own at least - and there are just about as many sockets as their are seats. Oh, and of course there's free Wifi, the password for which changes so that the students upstairs can't steal it all the time.

Brew Lab launch


As a space it's near-perfect. Although they're only open 'normal' hours for now they plan to extend later into the evening over time. A marriage proposal may be in order! The only oddity is the place's key feature, the coffee...

Brew Lab launch


I mean, it's not coffee as you or I know it. We're accustomed to Starbucks-style brews which are basically flavoured milk, or Artisan-esque obsession over making the perfect cup of artfully poured but petite espresso-based coffee. Compared to them, this is Art. Science. Whatever, it's exciting...

Brew Lab launch


Yes, there is a (terrifyingly fancy) espresso machine; but the focus is on the other methods, hand brewing drinks one by one that bear as much relation to your Costa soy chai latte as that does to a cup of Nescafe. Coffee that has hints of blueberry because it's so full of flavour and subtlety rather than because there's been a syrup added. They're art, and they're special.

Brew Lab launch


I'm not sure how suited they are to sitting around gulping for hours while getting work done, but this is my only concern; that's how good the place is. And since they can also do you a latte as well as a range of fine teas, it's not really a problem. And the fancy coffees really are worth trying...

So if you're in the vicinity you should give them a spin. I've yet to try their ever changing selection of scrumptious foods but I gather it's an excellent source of lunch. And you'll probably find me huddled in a corner, overcaffeinated but happy.