Beer Kat, Ealing Broadway, W5

Just over the road from Ealing Broadway station, this is a surprisingly large, two room craft beer bar that has an initial feel of a shop converted micropub. The main room is a simple, bare boarded space with large windows to the front and high table and stool seating down either side. The seating quickly gives way to various fridges that are packed full of bottles and cans which punters can either drink on site or take away with them. The servery is to the rear and has a basic counter in front of a clean bar back that is dominated by the ubiquitous row of keg taps. A wall to the right has quite comprehensively been covered by various beer bottle labels, which is quite an effective, eye-catching, colourful collage. Stairs on this side of the room lead up to a first floor overspill seating area, which was roped off on a fairly quiet Saturday evening visit, so perhaps it’s more likely to be used for private functions instead. To the left, there’s a second ground floor room on a slightly lower level, which has three rows of small, round tables and low stools squeezed in. It’s also bare boarded and has undressed walls that have been brightened up my large murals, some plain mirrors and a few paintings, plus a TV screen to the rear which was showing muted Sky Sports News whilst old indie tunes played in the background. There were only six other customers sat in here, but the noise was unbelievably loud due to a total lack of soft furnishings. A decent amount of seating is available in a fenced-off, pavement-side space out the front which doesn’t offer much in the way of peace either, thanks to its busy roadside location. There was no cask ale to be seen sadly, but they had around fifteen craft keg lines offering a selection of beers at different styles and strengths as well as a few cider options. I tried a pint of the Drop Project Fika at £6.90 a pint, which was another tasty brew from this excellent little brewery. The staff were all very prompt and welcoming and the beers are helpfully listed on one of those TV screens you see everywhere these days, handily positioned next to the bar. Despite the threat to my hearing, I actually really enjoyed this visit and thought it was a nicely put together craft beer bar with some decent seating areas, friendly service and a good selection of beers to work through. It’s not going to appeal to the traditionalist, but if you fancy sampling some new beer in a comfortable enough setting, this is a good bet and a great way to kill time waiting for a train.

Not on my list but clocked on the way to the station and dropped in. Awkwardly laid out craft bar with the usual minimalist trappings; no cask. Barmaid tried to charge me for a pint when I ordered a half. Laine Brew Mangolicious was my end product which was fine if uninspiring. Atmosphere: odd and cliquey, minimal seating with woke unisex toilets where there was clearly room for both sexes to be segregated and comfortable.

Facebook page of Beer Kat - www.facebook.com

Facebook page of Beer Kat - www.facebook.com

Fairly new craft beer bar run by Laine's opposite Ealing Broadway station. It is a light and airy place, where we enjoyed sitting in the window watching the comings and goings. The barman was friendly and knowledgeable. Whilst all the beers are currently keg, he did say they were contemplating a real ale. The craft beer selection was Laine's Brew Fader, Word & Mangolicious, By The Horns Das Hoff, Wild Weather Birthday Brew, Peach of a Weekend & Orange Lazarus, Weird Beard The Half Life of Facts, Wild IPA & Mariana on Mango & Wiper & True Milkshake. The cider was Crafty Brands Sxollie Golden Delicious. We stopped for a couple before heading to the BrewDog and despite us being the only customers on a Tuesday afternoon, I will undoubtedly return here, due to its proximity to the station, which I pass through regularly.

Two roomed bar .Bar at the end of the main room.Couple of fridges with good selection.About 10 keg beers with 3 from Laines brewery who own it.Well impressed with the tap selection with beers from 7Brothers,Triple Point,Stealth and Flash House.Quite basic interior but seating outside and a late licence till 2.00 am at the weekend .Friendly barman helped.