Déjà Brew in Soho: The Freedom Repeat at The French House (Beer #4967)
Quick Summary
- JT reviews Beer #4967 Freedom NZ Pale Pacific Ale at The French House in Soho, London.
- He describes the fun atmosphere and the pleasant June weather enhancing the experience.
- Despite a mix-up about the beer’s origin, JT finds it refreshing but ultimately forgettable, rating it 3.0.
- The blog post emphasizes that beer enjoyment often depends on the setting and mood rather than just the beverage itself.
- JT plans to return but may bring his wife and choose wine next time for a French experience.
From the Desk of JT, the Beer Logger (B-Logger)
Mission: 50 Beers to 5000 – Having a blast, with beer!
Beer #4967
Location: The French House, Soho, London
Beer: Freedom NZ Pale Pacific Ale (Staffordshire, UK)
Vibe: Classic pub, polite chaos, sunshine pouring through vintage glass
Mood: Amused déjà vu – a beer from the same brewery, different bar, still Freedom-ing my way through the Soho area in London
🍺 Soho Sun, Round Two
You know that feeling when you walk into a place with great reviews, a touch of local legend, and a hint of bohemian history? That’s The French House in Soho. It’s a tight little spot with an old-school charm — wood bar, friendly bustle, and the ghost of artists past probably still arguing in the corners.
It was early afternoon, that magical time when the crowd hasn’t quite hit “rowdy” but the vibe is simmering nicely. London had pulled out a stunner of a June day — sunshine, 80 degrees, and smiles all around. Honestly, that alone earns half a pint of happiness before you even order.
So, naturally, I asked the bar team for their best draught recommendation. And here’s where things took a classic JT turn.
🛢️ “It’s from New Zealand… I think?”
I always enjoy asking bar staff for a beer pick — it’s like spinning the craft-beer wheel of fortune. But this time? A shrug, a glance, and a confident “It’s from New Zealand, I think.”
Lovely. A mysterious import from halfway around the world! A rare Pacific pale, maybe?
Nope. A quick lookup later, and I’m laughing into my glass — it’s Freedom NZ Pale Pacific Ale, brewed in Staffordshire, England, using New Zealand hops. Yep, the same brewery as my pint at KILN just one hour earlier.
Two different locations. Two different vibes. Same Freedom. Coincidence? Cosmic joke? I’ll take it.
🎉 Freedom’s Double Feature
So here I am again, Freedom in hand — version Pale this time, not Lager — sitting by the window at The French House, watching Soho do its thing.
The beer? Let’s just say it was fine. Perfectly acceptable in the “refreshing but forgettable” lane.
- Vibe Check: Vintage pub with character to spare
- Drinkability Level: Afternoon-appropriate
- Accent Jealousy Factor: High (the bar staff’s, not mine)
- Crowd Energy: Calm, conversational, cigarette breaks on rotation
- Surprise Factor: High — Staffordshire strikes again
Look, Freedom’s not a bad brewery. They’re solid, consistent, and clearly have a strong London distribution game. But this NZ Pale… it just didn’t dance. Maybe the taps were tired. Maybe my taste buds were spoiled by the sunshine. Either way, it earned a gentle 3.0 on the B-Logger scale. Drinkable, but not repeatable.
🌞 The Weather Wins
If you’re in London and it’s 80°F (that’s 27°C for the locals), every pint tastes a little better, even if it’s not the best beer you’ve ever had.
The French House has that “we’ve been here forever” kind of charm — no loud music, no screens, no nonsense. You come for conversation and character, not for the beer list.
Would I go back? Absolutely — but next time, I might just go with Lori and order a glass of wine to match the French mood.
“When your New Zealand beer turns out to be from Staffordshire.”
🍻 The B-Logger’s Takeaway
Two different pubs. One brewery.
Sometimes the beer gods have a sense of humor, and sometimes they just want to remind you that freedom isn’t always exotic.
As for me? I’ll raise my half pint to Staffordshire and the sunshine. On to the next stop, and hopefully, a new flavor of surprise.
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