With London Beer Week on the horizon (22-28 February), The Resident picks out the best breweries, pubs, bars, shops and tap rooms in West London…
1 The Aeronaut, Acton
The Aeronaut – a pub with its own brewery – opened at the end of 2013 and its décor pays homage to Acton-born Aviation pioneer George Lee Temple, who was the first man to fly a plane upside down. The onsite brewery is one of three operated in London by the Laine Brewing Company, and it produces 1,440 pints each time it crafts a batch. Aeronauts own beers include Pumpkin, an amber-coloured ale; The Porter, a dark ale, and a sweeter dark ale called Smoked Porter. Entertainment includes circus shows and there’s a hearty menu to sample too.
264 Acton High Street, Acton W3 9BH; aeronaut.pub
2 BrewDog, Shepherd’s Bush
Independent Scottish brewery BrewDog opened the doors to its craft beer brewery in Shepherd’s Bush in 2013. Founded by friends James Watt and Martin Dickie in 2007 ‘to make other people as passionate about great craft beer as we are’, BrewDog led the way for the craft revolution in the UK. With 40 taps of craft beer on offer, not to mention the bottled and canned beers, it’s a vast emporium of craft beer in W12.
15-19 Goldhawk Road, Shepherd’s Bush W12 8QQ; brewdog.com
3 Ealing Park Tavern, Ealing
South Ealing’s historic coaching inn and brewery reopened in January 2015 after a smart refurbishment. The brewery dates back to 1728 when it operated as the Lewis Furnell Brewhouse until the mid 1800s. It has been brought back to life in the shape of a microbrewery onsite at the gastropub, brewing bitters and pale ales and seasonal specials. There’s a ‘Brewmaster’ on hand for tastings, tutorials and beer and food pairing dinners.
222 South Ealing Road W5 4RL; ealingparktavern.co.uk
4 Real Ale Ltd, Twickenham
Nick Dolan opened Twickenham-based beer emporium Real Ale Ltd in 2005. The shop is soon to undergo a complete refurbishment, but when shiny and new we imagine it’s going to be even better than before. It supplies over 100 local restaurants, hotels, pubs and independent stores, and is well worth a visit.
371 Richmond Road, Twickenham TW1 2EF; realale.com
5 Twickenham Fine Ales, Twickenham
Founded by Steve Brown in 2004, Twickenham Fine Ales is the first brewery to open in Twickenham since 1906. The brewery began as a 10-barrel plant installed in a small unit opposite the Greggs Bakery factory but it expanded in 2012 to its current site which can brew over 28,000 pints a week. There’s also a brewery bar, which opens before some rugby matches down the road. Beers include Naked Ladies and Grandstand bitter.
18 Mereway Road, Twickenham TW2 6RG; twickenham-fine-ales.co.uk
6 The Italian Job, Chiswick
London’s first Italian craft beer pub, The Italian Job, opened in 2014 and offers a choice of 12 rotating beers on draught (10 taps and two hand-pumps) and a diverse bottled beer selection, as well as wine and spirits. Italians rarely drink without eating – try an Italian Job burger or a sharing charcuterie board.
13 Devonshire Road, Chiswick W4 2EA; theitalianjobpub.co.uk
7 The Griffin Brewery, Chiswick
The Griffin Brewery in Chiswick dates back to 1828 and Fuller’s, ‘London’s last remaining family brewery’, has been brewing there for more than 160 years. Book a tour to see behind the scenes (they run 20 tours a week) or visit the shop to stock up on bottles and merchandise. Alternatively, head to your nearest Fuller’s pub (see the website to locate your local).
Chiswick Lane South, Chiswick W4 2QB; fullers.co.uk
ABOUT LONDON BEER WEEK 2016
London Beer Week is a week-long celebration of beer in the capital, running from 22-28 February 2016. The base of the festival will be The Old Truman Brewery, where you’ll find a hive of pop-up beer bars. Part of London Beer Week is CBR London, Craft Beer Rising, showcasing the very best craft beer brews and cider from 26-27 February.
MORE: 8 OF THE BEST PLACES FOR A BEER IN SOUTH WEST LONDON
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