The Ram Inn, Wandsworth, SW18

This was the brewery tap for the old Young's Brewery (indeed it was called the Brewery Tap for many years) and had been closed for around thirteen years since the brewery ceased production. A lot in here is new, such as the bar counter, but the panelling down at the end near the stairs, and the window glazing with its stained glass highlights looks original. There are one or two tall tables/tall stools but the majority of seating is standard tables and chairs. There were three ales on; London Original and Special obviously, but also Sambrook's Wandle - understandable I guess and totally laudable as the brewery is just up the road. There's a small microbrewery at the back of the room (no real ale apparently) with a most bizarre arrangement of delivering its beer (Sly Beast IPA - £6 for two halves) to the counter, consisting of a copper pipe from the brewing area over the drinking area and then down to the bar counter with a tap at the bottom of it from where the beer is dispensed. I expect they do food in the pub area, but mid afternoon on Wednesday there was no sign of menus. They have also restored restaurant use to the area upstair, accessed via a stone stairway at the back, where they seem to specialise in tacos, as they've some got a tacos truck up there. The TexMex theme is enhanced by the use of Texaco oil drums as tables. Even though this pub has lost a lot of its heritage features, it still has vestiges of its magnificent past, and its still a decent pub, with enthusiastic and helpful bar staff. I was given a taster of the Sly Beast IPA, which was of course a hoppy, cold and fizzy beer. I quite like hoppy beers, but I'm not sure I would want to fork out six quid a pint for this one. I like the pub; it makes a good double header with the Spread Eagle over the road, as long as you're happy with Young's beers.