The Brewers Inn, Wandsworth, SW18

Dating from the late 18th century, this was the Two Brewers until 1995, with the current building probably dating from the late 19th century, the wood panelling to the rear room applied in the 1930s. A modernised interior with new floor, new wood and glass bar back, trendy prints, plush furniture with some booth-style banquettes upholstered in lemon yellow vinyl; in all, it looks like a hotel bar, which of course is exactly what it is. Customers were rather young and fairly numerous on my late Saturday visit, probably students from neighbouring South Thames College – if they hadn’t taken over the panelled rear, I’d have ventured in for a squint. There was just London Original and Special on cask which I couldn’t face drinking, so it was a Neck Oil at £3.65 a half. This is another very corporate affair, typically done up by Young’s with little regard for the authenticity afforded to their wonderful Spread Eagle at the bottom of the road.

Large and impersonal. Cider was an eyewatering £3.95 a pint. Staff were friendly but not much else going for this place. More a hotel lobby than a pub.

Situated in Wandsworth, a short walk away from the site of the old Ram Brewery, this smartened-up Youngs Pub caught my attention straight away because it was so clean - I mean spotless, like I was afraid to put my pint down on the bar top just in case it left a ring. Youngs Ordinary & Special were on draught alongside Tribute with more of the Youngs range in bottles behind the bar. Special was in good nick and at £3.15 about average given the area. Moving through the bar area you end up in the lounge, which with its abundance of leather armchairs and Chesterfields is quite opulent; Its like drinking in a National Trust property. There is also a dining area and judging by the menu this is the sort of place that takes the food very seriously. The piped r&b music seemd a little superfluous but I don't want to mark it down for that. I liked this place quite a lot and would definitely return.

This isn't a bad pub although during the day it lacks any atmosphere due to its size and furnishings. The entrance takes you into a big room with large wooden tables and a bar at the back of the pub. There is another large area with sofas and a plasma screen further into the pub that leads to a nice large function room. The staff were pleasant enough and Youngs Special and Ordinary were available alongside Tribute and various lagers etc. The Bombardier was off, but the Tribute was very good. Unfortunately I thought that the food was a bit of a rip off on the portion sizes, but then this is a gastro type place. There was a band advertised for the evening so maybe the pub livens up when the sun goes down. I'd maybe go back here with the misses for a nice relaxed drink, but it's not the place you meet up with all the boys for a large one.