Gipsy Hill Installs Brewery Tanks at Westow House to Serve Hepcat IPA

Gipsy Hill Brewing Company has installed brewery tanks at Westow House in Crystal Palace so the pub can serve Hepcat IPA directly from the brewery, unpasteurised, unfiltered and "brewery fresh." The move is pitched as an investment in a long-standing local partnership and aims to give customers fresher pints while reducing operational overhead.

Portobello Pub Company’s managing director Richard Stringer said the installation changes the pint experience. "Our new installation at Westow House means the venue is serving the freshest Hepcat outside of Gipsy Hill Brewery. Hepcat has always been a popular drink at Westow House, so we are thrilled to be able to ensure that customers can now enjoy the freshest, high-quality pint possible. This is beer at its best: unpasteurised, unfiltered and brewery fresh." He added practical benefits for a busy venue: "Introducing tank beer to a high-volume venue like Westow House brings so many added benefits, firstly there's no need for Co2 which is better for the environment, it also reduces waste through keg changes and eliminates the need to store a large number of individual kegs, as well as offering a more stable, continuous and foam-free pour."

The tank installation follows a refurbishment that has officially re-opened the venue and creates a new focal point in the pub. Westow House was one of the first venues to make Gipsy Hill's Hepcat IPA a permanent feature on tap, and the two sites are described as being a mere stone's throw away from each other, making this a tightly local operation.

Mike Huddart, head of brand at Gipsy Hill, placed the project in a community context: "This project is a great example of what can happen when long-term relationships are built around shared values. Westow House has supported Hepcat from the very beginning, and seeing it move into tank beer at a venue so close to the brewery feels like a real milestone. It’s about freshness, quality, and backing the people and places that make our local beer scene what it is."

A press release from Sunrise Beverages framed the work as Gipsy Hill investing in one of its longest-standing customers; other materials describe Gipsy Hill as being owned by Sunrise Alliance Beverages. The venue will celebrate the brand new tank installation with a party on 19 February that will be open to all.

For drinkers and local brewers, the immediate payoff is clearer beer service and the novelty of tank-to-tap Hepcat close to the brewery. For operators, the installation is presented as a way to cut keg turnover, reduce waste and improve pour consistency at high-volume sites. Expect fresher Hepcat on the bar and a public celebration on 19 February; for technical details, ownership confirmation and exact event timing, check with Westow House or Gipsy Hill before you head down.