The Union Tavern, W9

“Support Craft Beer Here!” proclaims the exterior slogan which I'll admit put me off before even setting foot inside, despite the lovely green glazed tiled frontage. On entering you're met with a newly modernised interior which, shock horror, is tasteful and actually properly finished. White, red and grey shades work well together, whilst the bar back had brown metro tiling. Light and airy inside due in part to the large windows. Downstairs has canal side seating, though this section of the water is not particularly bucolic so I stayed in the shade upstairs. A sensible ale range, just the three on over five pumps but a decent selection in Pride, Hop Head and Five Points Pale which was good (NBSS 3.5) an cool on a hot day. Also a number of better keg beers available, including Siren. I took to this one, the beer quality sealed it. Surprised to subsequently discover (on seeing the large sign painted on the wall outside!) that it’s a low-key Fullers outlet. 7.5

Official site of The Union Tavern - www.union-tavern.co.uk

Official site of The Union Tavern - www.union-tavern.co.uk

Attractive canal-side pub with the light and airy main bar at street level, a smaller room down below connecting with the terrace along the waterway which is the main feature here. Disappointingly, as a barely branded Fuller's outlet, just London Pride and Dark Star Hophead (£4.50) were available from the five handpumps, but the reversed clips suggest that a Five Points beer is usually available too.

An interesting pub, with the original building on the side street but the additional frontage catching the eye on the Great Western Road as it crosses the canal. There's a beer garden on the canal side, accessed by an internal staircase, and there are also steps down to the original building, which I didn't explore. The bar area is light and airy, thanks to the large, clear-glazed windows, but the feel of the place is more cafe bar than pub. There are five hand pumps (see photo) and my half of Windsor and Eton Chestnut was in very good condition - my beer of the day.