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Disappointment of the week with Real Ale Ray
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Detail Pages
The Lamb, Chiswick, W4
W4
W4 4PH
Pub Type
Castle (Mitchells & Butlers)Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6½ of 10) see review guidelines
Graham Coombs left this review about The Lamb
Despite the rather cute old pub being located on a back street, they have contrived a frontage on the High Road through a patio area. Inside is posh modern, especially in the restaurant area at the back. Sadly both handpumps were glassed with reversed clips (one of which was Tribute) leaving some moderately interesting if typically overpriced keg craft. I can't personally see any reason for coming back.
On 23rd August 2023
- rating: 5
[User has posted 3339 recommendations about 3276 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about The Lamb
A pub of some sorts has existed here since the mid-18th century, becoming the Barley Mow then the Lamb Brewery in 2012, truncated to the Lamb in 2013 when brewing ceased.
Up front on approach, there’s a gazebo-style patio with upholstered benches. Thereafter, the pub has clearly had a substantial makeover in the seven-and-a-half years since Rex’s visit. I had thought that this was going to be some ‘ye olde world’ pub, but essentially it’s like some sort of boutique hotel bar with lounge sofas in the front area, then bare brick and modern tall furniture in the typical modern cocktail bar style, with some patterned wallpaper and rococo gilded mirrors or if you prefer, a cream of mushroom soup colour scheme in the mid-section, with an attractive carved bar array, spoilt with tediously repetitive shiny ceramic tiles, the pub scourge of the 21st century. It’s in this section where you can rest your eyes on oh-so un-pub-like trendy prints and potted palms, the one saving grace being a real fire, though as yet unlit. And all this described on the pub’s website as ‘A standout pub in Chiswick, full of quirky charm’.
Just two ales on, with Landlord then – hallelujah – Titanic Plum Porter at a steep £2.90 a half, slightly too cold and served by a highly confused barmaid, who eyed me with suspicion throughout my brief stay.
This place is probably ok for people who don’t really like pubs, are up for more of a formal meal or are meeting on a first date, but it didn’t really do it for me so I can’t really recommend it. But if you like Shredded Duck Salad, Roasted Garlic Chicken with Truffle Dauphinoise or Octopus with Calabrian Nduja…
On 13th November 2022
- rating: 4
[User has posted 1983 recommendations about 1949 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about The Lamb
The brewery operation here is no more, and the pub has truncated its name to The Lamb. This pub stretches between Chiswick High Rd and Barley Mow Passage, with entrances at both ends. The Chiswick High Rd one looks like the main entrance. There's a good amount of outside seating at this end. There's a bank of 6 handpumps at each end of the pub, but when I visited on Tuesday afternoon only the bank at the Chiswick Rd end was in use. The ales on were Andwell 5 Little Fishes (£2.10 a half); Doom Bar; Windsor & Eton Knights of the Garter; Harviestoun Broken Dial; Wild Beer Bibble; and Ilkley Mary Jane. Sandwiches are from £7 upwards - the fish finger sarny, including fries, is £7. Main courses are from £11.25 (beefburger) upwards.
Seating is the usual mix of tall tables/tall stools and normal tables and chairs. There's a fair amount of copper about the place - the bar top's made of it, it's wrapped around the pillars, and the centre of the T bars are made to look like copper fermentation tanks. Presumably this was decor associated with the erstwhile micro-brewery. There are various prints on the walls, and a large mirror on one of the exposed brick walls. Blankets were stacked in a basket by the front entrance for those who have to sit outside when the weather's a bit on the cool side.
The bar back might well be an original piece, but otherwise there's nothing of heritage interest remaining inside. Nonetheless, this is a much better pub than when I visited a few years ago. The beer selection alone makes it worthy of a visit
On 9th April 2015
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
john gray left this review about The Lamb Brewery
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 31st January 2013
- rating: 5
[User has posted 1023 recommendations about 1009 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
John Bonser left this review about The Lamb Brewery
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.
On 7th January 2013
- rating: 6
[User has posted 560 recommendations about 560 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Lamb Brewery
At first glance, nothing much seems to have changed from its former incarnation as the Barley Mow when you approach between the tables on the large outdoor decking areas fronting the High Street. However, you soon see the shiny brew plant just inside the main doors. The rest of the interior has also been attractively refurbished, with a quite rustic style at the front and a smarter dining area towards the rear. Six handpumps on the bar counter, with their own Lamb (Dark) Ale (£3.80) plus 65 and Maximus from the Botanist micro-brewery across the Thames (and in the same ownership), Hook Norton Hooky, Shepherd Neame Late Red and Sambrooks Powerhouse Porter. Four more Lamb beers - Pilsener, Hefeweizen, American Pale Ale and Imperial Stout - available from the unusual brass fonts. Overall, I got a good first impression of the new set-up and would certainly recommend a visit.
On 10th December 2012
- rating: 8
[User has posted 8086 recommendations about 8086 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
aleand hearty left this review about The Barley Mow
Re-opened 11.9.12 as The Lamb Brewery. Will be serving craft beers and ales brewed on site.
On 15th September 2012
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 578 recommendations about 560 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Mike Smith left this review about The Barley Mow
An excellent atmosphere with very friendly and helpful staff. Good quality pub food from locally sourced producers. Good selection of ales spirits and wines. Showing all the major sport and open till 1am on Friday and Saturday.
On 2nd October 2008
- rating: 10
[User has posted 1 recommendations about 1 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about The Barley Mow
I popped into the Barley Mow this lunchtime and had a quick pint of Fosters from the standard draught selection and whilst I was waiting I also noticed Doom Bar being available and there were two hand pups with the clips turned. As far as I could see it is a free house with the usual lagers on offer along with Doombar. The barmaid was a little dozy, but she was extremely friendly with it and she poured a good pint.
It's a long pub with the bar running along one side of it and there is an entrance at either end. The beer garden is well looked after and has some covered seating along with a BBQ and small bar area where Pride and Budweiser were available.
I enjoyed my visit here and I would recommend this place to others.
On 30th April 2008
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5228 recommendations about 5196 pubs]