The Goodness Brewing Company

Just what London needs - another craft brewery masquerading as a cultural hub. The Goodness Brewing Company in Wood Green had me rolling my eyes before I even crossed the threshold. Haven't we reached peak artisanal beer? Apparently not, because here I am, reluctantly admitting that this place might actually be worth your time.

Let's address the elephant in the room: The Goodness Brewing Company isn't exactly conveniently located unless you fancy a hefty climb up Alexandria Palace hill. But perhaps that's part of its charm - making you work for your reward like some sort of hipster pilgrimage. The space itself is what you'd expect from a modern London brewery: industrial-chic aesthetic, exposed everything, and enough reclaimed wood to make a lumberjack weep. Yet somehow, they've managed to avoid the pretentious overtones that plague similar establishments.

I arrived determined to find fault, armed with years of cynicism and a particularly sharp tongue that day. The first crack in my armor came with their beer selection. While I'm thoroughly tired of every Tom, Dick, and Harry thinking they can revolutionize brewing, these folks actually know what they're doing. Their IPAs don't taste like they're trying to punish your taste buds with hops, and their stouts don't feel like drinking liquid bread. It's refreshingly... good. There, I said it.

The pizza situation initially had me skeptical. Because obviously, what London desperately needs is another place serving wood-fired pizza alongside craft beer. But damn it if they haven't nailed this too. When they're busy, yes, you might wait longer than your hangry self would like, but the results justify the patience. The crust achieves that perfect balance between chewy and crispy that makes you question everything you thought you knew about pizza in North London.

They've somehow managed to create that elusive atmosphere that works for both day and night. The outdoor seating area transforms from a sun-trapped lunch spot to an evening garden that doesn't feel like you're drinking in a car park with fairy lights. Inside, the space manages to be both cavernous and cozy - a architectural contradiction that shouldn't work but does.

What's particularly infuriating is how they've made "family-friendly" not feel like a euphemism for "your evening will be ruined by screaming children." The space is large enough to accommodate both the young families during day hours and the after-work crowd seeking salvation in a well-crafted pint. They even welcome dogs, which could be a disaster but somehow isn't.

The staff, frustratingly, give you no ammunition for complaint. They know their products without being pretentious about it, and manage to maintain that careful balance between attentive and overbearing. A particular fellow named James seems to pop up in everyone's positive reviews, and I can see why - though I'm loathe to contribute to what must already be an inflated ego.

Price-wise, it sits in that sweet spot where you can't quite complain but also aren't saving for retirement. The beers are what you'd expect to pay in London these days (read: more than you want to, less than you feared), and the food follows suit. At least you're getting quality for your money, unlike some places I could name but won't (legal has advised against it).

Here's the thing about The Goodness Brewing Company in London - it's actually doing everything right, and I find that deeply annoying. They've created a space that works for pretty much anyone: families, friend groups, date nights, even those insufferable "I only drink craft beer" types. The location might be a bit of a trek, but perhaps that's keeping it from becoming another overcrowded London hotspot.

So fine, you win, Goodness Brewing. I'll admit it - you're worth the journey to Wood Green. Book ahead if you're going with a group, especially on weekends. And if you're planning to watch the sunset from your perch near Ally Pally, time your visit right - the uphill walk is much more manageable when you're not already three pints in. Just don't tell them I sent you. I have a reputation to maintain.