Old Swan, W8

An indifferent Greene King house which has gone for a slightly trendy/modern feel, clearly aiming at the sort of customers found in Notting Hill Gate. We were initially dismissed by the grumpy barmaid as the pub was 'not open', despite the door being so, but were eventually served a decidedly iffy IPA, and I suspect the alternative Old Speckled Hen might have been worse. Moving swiftly along...

Old Swan page at the Taylor Walker site - www.taylor-walker.co.uk

Old Swan page at the Taylor Walker site - www.taylor-walker.co.uk

Medium sized single roomed pub just around the corner from Notting Hill tube station. The carpet and furniture reminded me a little bit of a Wetherspoon’s. I went in on a Friday lunchtime with 5 other chaps. In contrast to Tris C’s visit, Nora Jones was being played as background music. The tap offerings included Stella, Becks, Carling, Kronenberg, Guinness, Magners, Staropromen and Estrella. On cask there was also a familiar line up of Ruddles County, Reverand James, Sharp’s Doom Bar, Hopback Summer Lightning and a decent Moles Brewery Tap (a dark, malty session bitter). The environment was OK, it wasn’t a great place but it wasn’t bad either so I would be comfortable returning there if I was around the area and wanted a safe pub.