One room, dried hops hanging from the ceiling beams, eight ales on tap from all over the British Isles, one working fireplace, no frills and the Water of Leith flowing by outside. And crisps. If you’re looking for hipsterism, schooners, pulled pork on brioche or tasting paddles you are very much in the wrong place. But then, Edinburgh hardly lacks for those choices so it’s a relief sometimes to come to a traditional pub where the focus is very much on good beer.
The Malt & Hops sits in the historic centre of Leith, still a working port, where quality has been a watchword in terms of food and drink since the area’s 1980s renaissance. There are two Michelin-starred restaurants just minutes’ walk from the pub’s front door for instance and lots of other choices for top-class eats. The Malt & Hops is therefore in very good company but more than holds its own with craft beers like Tyneside Blonde from the Hadrian Border Brewery in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Scapa Special from the Swannay Brewery on Orkney, or perhaps Long White Cloud from the Tempest Brewing Co in Galashiels. The beer choice rotates; there will always be something to catch your eye or suit your palate.