The Malt Shovel, Cowley, Uxbridge

The Malt Shovel has a nice location next to a lock on the Grand Union Canal. However, it's certainly a chain pub that likes to focus on diners. Yesterday, there were 4 handpulls clipped. But as you're not supposed to order from the bar, they must have been for show, as when I tried to order a Holy Grail or a TEA, I was told that only Doom Bar was available. They say that they only allow people who have reserved. But I managed to walk in and grab one of the myriad of spare tables. Not the best of places. But it's fairly local for me.

Attractive pub alongside the canal which is geared towards food but with a fair drinking area also. 4 beers on when I called - Proper job, Landlord, Ubu and Doom bar. The 2 we tried were fine. All in all a decent pub and I would happily call again.

We attended the Malt Shovel for a family meal with parents and nieces. The service was great and the food was better than average. The beer choice was a little thin on our visit, most brews were off, leaving just the Breakspear, which was very good. A decent pub, near to the university and not overrun with students, due to the relatively high prices. Would call again if visiting the kids.

Canal-side inn with an attractive, if plain, facade. Modernised split-level interior with light decor, and further dining room (or rooms?) beyond. Decking beer garden to one side. As you would expect from a Vintage Inn, it is very much a food-centered operation but the compact bar area retains a more 'pubby' feel. Efficient staff. Three handpumps, offering Pride, Doom Bar and a rotating guest (Wadworth Horizon on our recent visit). Overall, not a bad option if you are looking for a family meal in the Uxbridge area.

Two thorough reviews below. The Malt Shovel is really a standard Vintage Inn with all that that entails: lots of fake pine beams, newish wooden furniture, an unsurprising but decent quality menu and 3 handpumps. Beers on our visit were Doom Bar and Pride as regulars and a cracking Acorn Scorachi IPA in top condition as a guest. It doesn't look as though this was a one off either as the range of clips featuring past guests as well as the list of those forthcoming included some interesting beers. Well worth stopping by if passing to sample the guest ale.

Little needs to be added to Maldenman's comprehensive review,I was only in for a beer but did find the delineation by quarry tiling of the drinking area helped maintain a pub atmosphere in that part of the pub close to the bar.There was also a screen switched off,which may come in to play at certain times.There is a lot of reclaimed timber used,fake but in a good way.Plenty of nooks and crannies around the interior too. What really impressed me was the ale policy.London Pride and Doom Bar are regulars but there is a rotating guest,an immaculate IPA from Acorn Brewery on my visit and a list of guests appearing soon which despite featuring a couple of Adnams brews ,did otherwise show some adventurous selections. Visiting this pub was a bit of hit and hope given the pausity of reasonable pubs in the area ,and I feel it came up trumps on the beer front.I will be popping in again when next around this way.