The Bear, Paddington, W2

Moden interior, raised booth seatings and lots of pastel colours, a lot of keg beers but also 4-5 cask as well. not the biggest or most comfortable but good beer house

With time to spare between changing trains and with the Mad Bishop and Bear closed on a Sunday evening, I quickly looked up directions to the Bear to sample a pub/bar that I've been meaning to visit for some time. I'd never realised the exact location of this bar (it does feel more bar than pub) which belongs to the Craft chain, but was surprised as to how near it was to the station. The interior felt quite spacious. Although, being late on a Sunday, there weren't many other customers. I was instantly captivated by the vast range of beers, particularly kegs which line the long bar. Handpulls greet you on the corner of the bar. As such, I didn't pay too much attention to the interior in my brief visit. I did notice a series of booths which must help to give this place a slightly more intimate feel. As with other Craft pubs, Kent Craft Pale is the house beer. 4 guests were Lakedown Sussex Pale & Goldhawk & Siren Mesmerist & Yulu. Craft beers were Hackney Improved Night Vision, Drop Project Choppy, Deviant & Dandy So Long and Thanks For All The Brews (presumably a last beer from them), Tenby Portal, Otherworld Unknown Fire, Lost & Grounded No Rest For Dancers, Cloak & Dagger Yeti Confetti, Brulo Lust For Life, Goodness Yes!, The Kernel Table Beer, Siren Soundwave & Caribbean Chocolate Cake, Anspach & Hobday London Black, Double-Barrelled Parka, Bianca Road Hay-Z, Pretty Decent The Greatest Love Story, Lune Valley Lune Brew, Nothing Bound Aubrey, Cantillion Gueze, Questche Tilquin, Ticking Clock Every Second Counts & St Bernardus. Ciders were limited to the keg Crafty Apple & Crafty Rhubarb. Bar staff were friendly and were happy to serve a customer walking in fairly close to last orders. Although they did warn me that they were due to close soon. My beer (Lakedown Goldhawk) was good without being exceptional. The Craft chain of pubs has always been a good concept. Whilst beers are quite expensive, the range is fabulous and this pub is certainly one of the better ones in the group. I'd imagined that my first visit here would be for a session, instead of a swift half. But I can easily see me returning for a much longer visit sometime in the near future.

More modern bar than pub but a great beer showcase, not cheap as mentioned, £5.70 for a 3.9% session pale on cask. Most of the details are obviously the same as the recent reviews below, four cask on while I was there with two from 360 degrees and two from Siren, the keg options numerous from the twenty five keg taps. everything is striking about this place, from the wasabi green walls to the exciting beer range and indeed the pricing. I would certainly call in again.

The former Gyngleboy has been reincarnated as a barely branded Craft Beer Co outlet, and seems to be doing really well as a result. Very busy in all parts of the bar and dining areas early on a Thursday evening, with many customers standing outside on the pavement, but well staffed and relatively easy to get served. Three Burton Bridge beers on the six handpumps, including the XL Mild (£5.50, 3.5), plus the 'house' Craft Pale and Buxton Spa Pale. Also had a huge choice of 29 craft keg beers from all but one of an elongated 30-font on the main part of the counter.

Liked this a lot.Same green and pink colour scheme as the Hammersmith branch but toned down and really works for me.Windowless basement room and a nice feature is the glass door that lets you see where the beers are tapped.In my 52 years of drinking cant really say i have seen the cellar or the set up for the beers many times before.Friendly barmaid.6 cask beers ,good quality but expensive cask.Outside seating to the front.A Paddington must visit.