The Lamb, Chiswick, W4

I found this pub lacking in atmosphere.Its neven been busy when i have called in.Beer too cold,quite expensive and on the bland side.Shame as this is a chance to liven up the beer scene in Chiswick.Only plus is good barstaff and friendly brewer.

On Chiswick High Road and opposite a corner of Turnham Green is The Lamb Brewery, formerly The Barley Mow, a pub that, for some unaccountable reason, I never got round to visiting as such, although I do have vague recollections of it as a Chef and Brewer pub. As the new name might suggest, it’s now brewing its own beer and, as we approach the pub, we see a large banner – “Merry Christmas to all from your local craft brewery”. The pub building is set back from the road, entered through a lych gate and a largish outside drinking area featuring the usual modern style wicker seating and large parasols. The pub has a frontage dominated by glass and an inscription on the glass doors tells us that we’re entering “Chiswick’s only micro – brewery”. It’s a long narrowish single bar with a copper topped bar counter on the right hand side and the brewing plant – a number of small copper tuns – directly on the left as you go in. Here the wall is tiled and some decorative tiles tell us that The Lamb Brewery originated in 1790 and was re-established in 2012. A blackboard lists The Lamb Brewery beers – Pilsner, Hefeweizen, American Pale Ale, Imperial Stout and Lamb Ale at ABV’s ranging from 5.5% to 4.2% - but, as several tall copper fonts on the bar counter indicate, these beers are all kegged. A pictorial depiction of the brewing process high up above us shows the beer leaving the fermentation tank and reaching our pint glass via a kegging process. Not surprisingly, there’s various attempts to market the brewery products – thus, for instance, we’re offered a one gallon keg for £ 25 and a beer tasting tray of 5 x 1/3 pints for £ 6. A smallish glass cabinet displays beer glasses in various shapes and sizes with the Lamb Brewery motif and there’s the usual tee shirts and sweatshirts etc. At the front of the pub, by the brewing plant, seating is provided by several tall padded fixed benches with sturdy oak tables. These tables have been hollowed out in the middle and turned into glass topped display cases showing us the various types of hops and barley used in the brewing process. On a pillar by the bar, a framed wooden panel tells us the history of the original Lamb Brewery and we learn that, in the early days, it was one of 5 malthouses brewing their own beer in the area. It is however quickly clear to the first time visitor that food is a major focus of the operation and, at the far end of the pub, the floor space widens to encompass several dedicated dining areas. There’s no TV’s or electronic distractions, but something of an upmarket ambience clearly intended to attract the affluent urban professional thirty somethings. The recent update in CAMRA’s London Drinker magazine refers to “attractive décor”, but this is of course a matter of personal taste. Despite the emphasis on keg beers, there’s 6 pumps on the bar which were offering Sambrooks Wandle, Sheps Late Red and 2 beers from The Botanist Brewery in Kew, which, I gather, is a sister operation also run by Convivial. Also on was Lamb Brewery Dark Ale, presumably a draught version of the kegged Lamb Ale (?). This was £ 3.70p a pint, a price that, even for Chiswick, seems rather pricey for a beer brewed just across the room from where I was sitting. It didn’t taste particularly inspiring and it wasn’t a difficult choice not to stay for a second pint. Despite the existence of on site brewing equipment, there’s no real pubby feel or atmosphere. I’ll probably look in again sometime, but I’m not desperately enthusiastic about the place. An early return visit is not envisaged.

Re-opened 11.9.12 as The Lamb Brewery. Will be serving craft beers and ales brewed on site.

Randomness Guide to London - Barley Mow entry

Randomness Guide to London - Barley Mow entry