please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
A lovely old Victoria town centre pub.
Two Brodie's ales were on offer - IPA and Red - along with Fuller's London Pride and ESB. I sampled the Brodie's IPA, which was palatable if not sensational, but nevertheless an encouraging start for a new micro-brewery.
Unfortunately the volume was turned up far too loud for the televised Saturday evening football match for the benefit of those sitting a lot further from the screen than they needed to if they were that interested in it. I like football and was taking a passing interest while chatting to friends, but I don't want shouty commentators and roaring crowd noise - you can see what's happening without that accompaniment.
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Great news that you're brewing again! Must revisit soon!
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We are brewing again at The Sweet William Brewery. We brewed the first brew in a few years,on August 8 It is Brodies IPA. A 4% light coloured IPA. It is on sale now. James Brodie the pub owner's son, is intending to bring the brewery back to producing 5-10 barrels a week. We will brew another IPA this Sunday and a red beer next week.
Regards
Andy Skene
Canuk Brewing Company
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Tried this out the other day following great reviews on this site and was sadly disappointed. There were three ales on, but non were well kept. The whole place had an air of "seen better days". The pubs in nearby Walthamstow Village are much nice.
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Been drinking here ever since the 3BBs went bad. The beer has gone through a very dodgy patch though they are more than happy to change it if it's off. Can be a little short staffed at times and apart from the two guys regularly behind the bar they seem to have a fast turnover of staff; a different young lady from Eastern Europe every visit! The thai food is back after a short absence and is excellent. Big screen for big matches, though sometimes Frasier seems reluctant to use it unless the cricket's on but he's from the WIndies so it's expected. The back room is light and airy, if you can ignore the water buffalo's head. Small patio area out back quite pleasent in the summer. The micro brewery hasn't been in operation for donkey's.
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A lovely characterful pub with a wide mix of punters, usually-decent beer (though this can wobble occasionally) and friendly staff. Put it this way - I get a bus across W/stow to have a pleasant relaxing pint here.
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Remove the reference to the Micr - its been finished for years. As has decently kept ale. A sad loss to the 'Stow' youre better off crossing the road to the Tescos for a few bottles.
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Note that offthewagon07 has made the same point that I made 15 months ago! I wonder whether it's the same barmaid; if so, she's a very slow learner!
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Beer was ok on my visit. Staff very very gloomy and unfriendly. I asked for a packet of pork scratchings and she told me 'we have Stella!' I gave up trying. I came in for a drink not to give English lessons!
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Good beer and food in this reliable pub.No sign of any microbrewed beers , unfortunately .
FULLERs beers were OK at £2.70 a pint for the PRIDE.
Shows SKY SPORTS football matches including Pay Per View
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One of the best pubs in the borough, and easily the best of the bunch on the Bakers Arms Junction.
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Traditional old-time pub with ESB and London Pride on draft. Barmaid (Eastern European?) isn't very hot on English - I had to say "pint of Pride" three times before she got it! In contrast, the lady serving the Thai meals is very friendly, and her curries and stir-fries, very cheaply priced, complement the beers wonderfully.
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Generally speaking the ales are consistently well kept, with Fullers ESB, London Pride and Discovery usually available.
The atmosphere is different depending on whether it's a major match night or not, music or no special events.
Events are well notified, so it's easy to adjust the times of your visit depending on what you're looking for.
The back room has space for quite large parties and the clientele is varied, with quite a few regular groups and individuals. Like others, I hope the Sweet William Brewery is reopened. Its London Mild was a triumph.
As to the bar staff, like with most pubs, treat them with respect and friendliness and you'll find those qualities returned. As a regular re-visitor, by choice, I take my money where I prefer to slake my thirst.
There are other excellent pubs in the area, but I rate ths one very highly. Mike
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Large (seemingly endless) pub with a long winding bar. Big plants in the window, plus odd knick-knacks scattered around, create a cosy atmosphere. Guest ales, decent, good value Thai food, relaxed friendly atmosphere from very mixed, slightly bohemian customers, and free newspapers make this one of my favourite pubs in London. Great. If the Sweet William brewery was running (whenever I ask they always say they intend to start it up again soon) this would be THE best pub in London.
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Pub is now much better; real ales whittled down to Fullers (plus occasional guest) but kept in decent nick. Still a wide mix of punters, pleasingly cluttered decor, papers to read & friendly atmosphere. Put it this way: I regularly get a bus over here from the far side of Walthamstow rather than drinking in W/stow itself.
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Visited this pub recently, a bit apprehensively, bearing in mind the comments posted on yhis site, but was pleasantly surprised. Its currently not brewing but its selection of beers, mostly Fullers was fine. I had a pint of Umpires Finger & my chum went straight to ESB & both were splendid. Pub exterior (myriad hanging baskets) & interior (comfy chairs, lots of aged wood & brasswork were what I want from a pub; the huge tv screen showing green tinted snooker was a bit pointless, but others seemed interested. Good mix of ages & races seemingly in harmony & the barman we spoke to was v friendly without being intrusive. If you're in the area visit the pub you'll be pleased you did!
Joe Clarke - 2 May 2004 10:43 |
Once a real gem and now only occasionally serving a decent pint. Atmosphere also taken a downturn as a more 'Lager crowd' starts to predominate. The micro has stopped for the moment after an attempt to brew by phone by the manager after losing a couple of excellent brewers.
A b****y shame to 'lose' what was a great local regardless of the micros position.
Paul - 20 Apr 2004 12:30 |
Very disappointing to find, on revisiting the William IV, not only that they're no longer brewing, but also that the (few) real ales on offer were in very doubtful condition. I had to return my pint of Barnsley bitter. The barmaid referred to a man sitting on the customers' side of the bar. He said he had been "serving the beer all afternoon", tried some & made no comment about it. He asked what else I was drinking. Thankfully I was given a pint of Woodfordes Wherry bitter without extra charge, but this tasted rather watery and not at all like my last pint of the same beer some months back.
James Farmer - 1 Apr 2004 23:49 |
people stare at U when U walk in here dont come on your own come with someone. came once in 2001 seems worse now has management changed? for good beer and nice pub go over the road to the drum at bakers arms, wetherspoons pub.
anonymous - 24 Feb 2004 17:10 |
Sadly nothin like how it was in 2001. The Sweet William Brewery used to produce excellent beer, but a year or so ago stopped brewin there is, however, Thai food in the pub. Attracts a mainly sports-oriented crowd, Staff moods vary.
anonymous - 13 Nov 2003 19:50 |
Good beer, clean glasses, live music (for the over 70's incl. Banjo Les!) traditional decor, two bars, big screen sports, beer brewed on premises
Frazer Moutrie - 30 Oct 2003 17:34 |
