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Detail Pages
The Express Tavern, Brentford
Brentford
TW8 0EW
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 8 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about Express Ale & Cider House
I paid my first visit to this pub on Friday since its recent refurbishment. The refurb seems to have been fairly sympathetic, although a bit more lighter coloured paintwork has appeared in the room at the back on the left. The black lacquered door, with the peephole in it used by members of the Royal Antedeluvial Order of Buffaloes to order drinks now seems to be propped open, and is now painted a light grey.
Bass seems to still be an ever present ale, along with eight or nine others, plus five or so draught ciders. But you can't please everyone - when I was waiting to be served a couple of blokes were despondent that this place only served beer and cider, and no lager that they recognised. Not wishing to risk something strange like Brooklyn Brewery or Camden Hells, they left disappointed. But I was very happy with my pints of Lock Keeper, ELB Foundation and didn't give a toss about the absence of Stella. The sandwiches at around £3 a pop are a good bet as well.
This is now a destination pub for any real ale afficionado. I'm sure I'll be back sometime.
On 6th December 2014
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about Express Ale & Cider House
A very savvy purchase with the Bees' new stadium being built in Lionel Road alongside the new housing development.
On 4th October 2014
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 5254 recommendations about 5222 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
john gray left this review about Express Ale & Cider House
Now re-opened. The outside has been painted cream and green and helps it stand out as before it was a bit dull.The interior though nicely decorated has not changed structurally.Ten cask pumps 10 craft keg and 5 ciders.I tried two cask beers inc new London brewer Bigsmoke brewery and they were in good condition.Seating to the rear and now they have put tables and chairs on the upper lawn probably for the first time in a hundred years.Still scores an 8 but the previous score included a few points for nostalgic reasons this 8 is purely because its a good pub.Can Brentford support a 10 handpump pub is my only worry.Now open all day.
On 4th October 2014
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1023 recommendations about 1009 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
ROB Camra left this review about Express Ale & Cider House
Reported as reopened on 25/09/2014 by JB and by Richmond & Hounslow CAMRA on Whatpub.
On 30th September 2014
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3224 recommendations about 3135 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
John Bonser left this review about Express Ale and Cider House
Update - September 2014
As already reported, this pub is currently closed.
Gordon and Liz have retired - the pub has been taken over by the people who have The Sussex Arms in Twickenham and The Antelope in Surbiton.
Let's hope they can retain the traditional unspoilt feel of this pub.
Update – July 2011
Still a fine pub, well worth visiting.
In addition to the regular beers – Youngs Ordinary and Bass – beers on during my recent early evening visit were Robinsons Old Crusoe and Old Mill Full Bloom, both in good form.
There’s little else to add to my earlier review below except to report that the eco-warriors over the road have now vanished as the building of the executive apartments on the site is now well under way. Oh, and the pub still closes for the afternoon each day, apart from Sunday.
July 2009 review
Splendidly traditional family owned free house situated just over the river at the north end of Kew Bridge and close to Kew Bridge Station. This is a pub that I visit every 3 months or so.
It dates back to 1794 and has been in the Aldington family since 1882.
There's 2 bars either side of the central entrance - a public bar on the right as you go in and a larger comfortable traditional saloon bar on the left. The saloon bar has a rather baronial looking room attached, in which are some dark beams and an interesting framed print detailing the pub's history, which is worth looking out for. There's a pleasant garden at the back for summer drinking.
My early evening entrance in to the pub a week or so ago initially seemed to slightly disconcert the young barman - perhaps he thought I was one of the eco - warriors who have recently taken up residence on the barren plot of land over the road ( which is due for development by St Georges incidentally ).
The Youngs Bitter and the Bass are always in excellent condition here. They are usually supplemented by either one or two guests - these being Brains and Harviestoun Blonde on my recent visit.
The pub is a CAMRA Good Beer Guide regular.
This is a fine traditional pub, still retaining a slightly old fashioned and austere feel
It's well worth seeking out, but note that it closes in the afternoon during the week
On 5th September 2014
- rating: 8
[User has posted 560 recommendations about 560 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
john gray left this review about Express Tavern
What a fine pub this is. When I first used it 35 years ago it was a quiet old fashioned pub and today its still the same. Well described by other reviewers. Still 2 regular beers on plus Kite -bluestone bitter and Portobello -gold both decent. Its a pub for the older generation but in a few weeks new landlords take over so it will change.
On 29th July 2014
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1023 recommendations about 1009 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about Express Tavern
Made another visit to this fine CAMRA listed pub last Saturday just arriving after its 6.30PM opening time, so basically therefore had the place to myself. Been a while since I last visited so very pleased to find it hadn’t changed a bit, still fully deserving of its CAMRA London Regional Inventory with the fine Victorian bar-back and stained glass windows still in place.
The usual Bass and Youngs Ales were complemented by Nethergate Essex Border and McEwan's 80/-.
Tucked myself away on one of the velvet benches by the marbled fireplace in the lounge bar and tried the ‘heavy’ and the Essex border and both were in good form.
This pub really doesn’t look that inviting from the outside , especially due to its position on a busy junction. But it really is worth a look in if you are in the Kew Bridge area.
On 19th June 2011
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2111 recommendations about 1992 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Express Tavern
A bold-looking pub located at the north end of Kew Bridge (and close to the station of that name), with a fine traditional two-room interior with another small seating area behind the lounge bar. Four real ales on handpump - a decent pint of Bass ("what we are famous for", at £3.15), Youngs Ordinary and a couple of guests. Tidily furnished inside, with a decent little patio beer garden (with grassed area beyond) at the back - a fine spot for a pint in the unusually warm October sunshine. Recommended.
On 8th October 2010
- rating: 8
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about Express Tavern
Frustratingly closes all afternoon on Saturdays, not open until 6:30. Brentford not at home either today so must be the normal arrangement. It seems the old hours of 11:30 to 3 and 5:30 to 11 are standard through the week.
On 1st May 2010
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 1708 recommendations about 1681 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about Express Tavern
I managed to get up early enough to get to this pub before it closed for the afternoon. And it was worth the effort. When I was in the other day they had the regular ales of Bass and Young’s Bitter on, plus Brain’s SA. I had the Brain’s which was on excellent form, and at a relatively wallet friendly price of £2.85 a pint. This is a clean, comfortable pub that has probably not changed much in the past 50 years. It’s rightly on the CAMRA inventory of historic pub interiors, because of the numerous original features still in place. I’m not going to describe them in detail – go and have a look for yourself.
The menu features some pretty standard pub grub at pretty standard prices (e.g steak & ale pie at £6.95). I didn’t eat there so can’t comment on the quality. There are only normal tables and chairs in evidence I’m glad to say. The walls are adorned with all manner of artefacts – duelling pistols, hunting horns, bison’s horns(!), various prints as well what looks like an original Royal Warrant for something or other. The service was friendly enough and they even had London Drinker available (a very good sign in my book). This is an excellent pub that is definitely worth seeking out (it’s not hard to find!) if you’re ever in this neck of the woods.
On 19th October 2009
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]