The Ram Inn, Wandsworth, SW18

Reopened after a period of closure, the old Young's brewery tap has at least found a new lease of life but not yet a certain future. There are some splendid heritage features, and a small brewery section to the side, sadly unused as are the row of handpumps, leaving 4 craft keg beers from Laines, who apparently are currently managing the place. Hopefully someone will cough up the cool £2million asking price and get this pub back on track.

Dating all the way back to the mid-16th century to be rebuilt in 1883, this was until recently the Young’s brewery tap, incorporated into the now converted brewery, chimney standing sentinel over the immediate vicinity. Rex’s review still seems to hold sway on a pub which retains some decent heritage character. Come 9.20 on a Saturday night, the place was absolutely packed with professional twentysomethings knocking back the Neck Oil, prosecco and large chalices, presumably containing some here today, gone tomorrow fashionable flavoured gin, all to a deafening live music soundtrack with an impenetrable queue at the bar. Despite being the old tap, there were four unused pumps, me making do with making a beeline for the door, which cost me nothing; I’m not sure if I consider this worse than the King’s Arms, but it’s a close-run thing, but with the lack of cask, as Nick Davies says: ‘John Young would be spinning in his grave’.

Facebook page of The Ram Inn - www.facebook.com

Facebook page of The Ram Inn - www.facebook.com

Official site of The Ram Inn - www.theraminnsw18.co.uk

Official site of The Ram Inn - www.theraminnsw18.co.uk

Despite it being quiet in here on my late Thursday afternoon visit, I quite liked the atmosphere in this old listed building. Despite this being a Young's establishment, the pub's central servery was not stocking any Young's cask ales. The choice was between Sly Beast 4 Foot 2 & Beam Engine Pale & Wimbledon Copper Leaf. I chose the 4 Foot 2 London Porter, which was in good nick.

Quite scruffy externally but I don't think they have finished the refurb.Interior is nicely preserved and I liked the old Youngs photo,s on the wall.Iwas there the same day as Rex the last reviewer at night though and I found it lacked atmosphere.I was there for the Sly Beast brewery,s first beer not for the Youngs dull beer and found the new brewery,s beer even duller.