Once a dark den to avoid, The Cock now has something to crow about – thanks to a takeover by the guys from The Southampton Arms in Kentish Town. The former cloth-cap Trumans corner house has been stripped down to bare woods and plain tiles (mercifully without any fake 1900s styling) and it’s now a Mecca for ale heads wanting to sample Howling Hops beers from the pub’s in-house microbrewery. Order Mosaic, Milk Stout or Ruby Red, but also check out limited-edition goodies such as rich, punchy Old London Victorian stout – if it hasn’t sold out. Over a dozen hand-pulled beers are devoted to fellow craft specialists such as Five Points, Redemption, Brodie’s of Leyton and – from further afield – Halifax heroes Stod Fold. You’ll also find artisan ciders, a few wines and basic old-school Brit snacks at this Cock of the east.