The Black Dog Beer House, Brentford

This old Victorian pub has had its innards throughly eviscerated at some stage, leaving a thoroughly modernised pub. As you would expect, it's now bare-boarded, with exposed brickwork around the place, but mainly on the chimney breasts. WhatPub suggests that this might be a Nowell Parr pub; it certainly could be, as the batens on the ceiling are one of his trademarks, and although I didn't spot any of his trademark Tudor arches, these could have been lost during the stripping out of the pub. But what has survived are the lovely arched transom windows on the Albany Place side with their floral themed coloured glazing. Like all pubs of this vintage, this pub would have been multi-roomed - indeed a couple of closed in and unused doors are also on the Albany Place side, indicating the erstwhile presence af another room and a likely jug & bottle bar. A fire was on the go when we arrived at early evening on a Wednesday, and some tables were reserved for later in the evening. An area on the left had all the tables laid for diners. But where this pub really scores highly is in the extensive real ale selection. I think there were seven or eight on, with none from the ranks of the usual suspects, and included a rather good stout. At least, a couple of pints of it convinced me of its quality - I wished I had made a note of its name, but these sort of oversights sometimes occur when one reaches pub number eight of the day! Ths pub was doing a good trade on Wednesday evening. and is definitely one to seek out if in Brentford.

The have made a nice job of this rough and ready boozer .Had a few teething problems but should develop into a nice pub .8 cask beers on but prices are a bit high for the area or maybe too high for my liking.Outside uncovered seating area at rear.