I popped in here during a nice little walk around Highgate, and was rather disappointed. While it is a wine store first and foremost, Hops 'n' Pops does have a numerous amount of beer in stock as well.
However, the beer selection was quite disappointing at the same time (I'll also be the first to admit that I know basically nothing about wine). There were some good brews available such as Brooklyn and Wychwood. Most of the items, though, were Kronenbourg, Strongbow, etc.
I felt that some of it was quite overpriced as well. A bottle of Brooklyn was £1.99, which is really nothing to scoff at for an import. Yet Samuel Smith's beers were £3 for a pint - the same as/and in some cases more expensive than a draught pint at a pub.
The thing that really irked me and what cost Hops 'N' Pops a star was the unfriendliness of its staff. There was one man working during my visit, and he wasn't really working very hard - just empty boxes around, dusting off a shelf and whatnot. Yet when I asked him a question, he acted as if he would rather be anywhere else in the world. He was cold, rude and never actually answered my question.
I'm hoping that my experience was the exception, and not the rule. Otherwise, if you live in the Highgate area, they have some decent alcohols to check out. read more