The Brewery Tap, Brentford

A west Londoner by birth, I regret that the traditional pubs of my youth have been replaced with posh dining rooms full of bankers and lawyers in their smart smart casual outfits, walls painted with identikit Farrow and Ball heritage colours and oh so fashionable these days 'real ales'. So it was with great pleasure that I discovered this boozer down a pitch black semi light industrial cul de sac in Brentford one rainy evening. As I approached I was drawn closer by a lady jazz singer's voice carried on the breeze. I knew I had come to the right place by the old fashioned latch on the ledge and brace door. Inside a claustrophobic atmosphere of men and women drinking bitter, beards, music and fun. Real people, all who look like they live on boats or drive steam engines but don't; who seem to know each other and have real smiles and conversation for a weary traveller. This is a proper pub with excellent service, well kept English beer, and the most idiosyncratic clientel ever. Most evenings one can be entertained with live traditional music, Friday is an open mic night presented excellently by Messrs Johnny Ball and John Coverdale. A second room at the rear more like your living room than a pub and a sports bar with pool, darts and quiz machine. Its worth mentioning that the landlord, Tom provides excellent friendly service, refills your empty glass as soon as you put it on the bar and talks to you like he cares about what you are saying. So if you are looking for a pub co with a different landlord each week and staff who look like they don't want to be there then this probably isn't the place for you, but if you want a real pub then you have my recommendation.

11 Sep 2013 00:57