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The Bricklayer's Arms (Free House)

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Beer (sort)Average Score (sort)No. Samples (sort)
Saltaire - Triple Choc (was Triple Chocoholic)Exceptional1
Brown Cow - Captain OatesExceptional2
East Coast - Holden's Double Chocolate StoutExcellent1
Plain Ales - India Plain AleExcellent1
Bird Brain - Black BishopExcellent1
Brown Cow - Mrs. Simpsons Thriller In VanillaExcellent1
Copper Dragon - Black GoldExcellent1
Great Newsome - Holderness DarkExcellent1
Tonbridge - RusticExcellent1
Daleside - Monkey Wrench (was 5.4%)Excellent1
World's End - Pewsey MildExcellent1
White Rose (Sheffield) - Naughty BlondeExcellent1
Exit 33 (formerly The Brew Company then Sky's Edge) - Evil GeniusExcellent2
Storyteller - Fireside StoutExcellent1
Old Mill - Traditional MildExcellent1
Imperial - Bee's KneesExcellent1
BlackFriars - Raspberry RippleExcellent1
Concertina - Old Dark AtticExcellent1
Bridestones - Winter StoutExcellent1
Mallinsons - CitraExcellent1
Oakwell - Old Tom MildExcellent2
Westerham - Spirit of Kent XXX Pale AleExcellent1
Great Heck - Stormin Norman (previously Stormin' Norman)Good1
Ridgeside - InnuendoGood1
Bottle Brook - CharlatanGood1
Mallinsons - Volga PorterGood1
Downton - Nelson's DelightGood1
Naylor's - Velvet Premium MildGood2
Burley Street Brewhouse - Clarendon Dark MildGood1
Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - The Friar's AleGood1
Wantsum - Black PrinceGood1
Copper Dragon - Freddie TruemanGood1
Weighbridge - Pooley's GoldenGood1
Shepherd Neame - Queen CourtGood1
Salamander - Horse PlayGood1
By The Horns - Stiff Upper Lip (downgraded from 3.8% in 2023)Good1
Grain - Tap Room BitterGood1
Shed Ales - Shed Some LightGood1
Abigale - NailbourneGood1
Briscoe's - Burnsall Classic BitterGood1
Twickenham (also uses sub-brand Old Hands) - Winter CheerGood1
Downton - QuadhopGood1
Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - The Pardoner's AleGood1
Bottle Brook - London LadyGood1
Wensleydale - Mel BecksGood1
Twickenham (also uses sub-brand Old Hands) - RedheadGood1
Bridestones - PalindromeGood1
Golcar - Dark MildGood1
Stealth (formerly Kennet & Avon) - Dundas Best BitterGood1
Abbeydale - Dark MatterAcceptable1
Iceni - Italian JobAcceptable1
St Peter's - Suffolk GoldAcceptable1
Nutbrook - ResponsiblyAcceptable1
Downton - Chocolate Orange DelightAcceptable1
Tigertops - Captain BlackAcceptable1
Ole Slewfoot - Devil's DreamAcceptable1
Coppice Side - Nottingham BlondeAcceptable1
Downton - New Forest AleAcceptable1
Whalebone - Diana MildAcceptable1
Red Rat - Stout PorterAcceptable1
Moorview - Another OneAcceptable1
St Judes - St CeceliaAcceptable1
Nutbrook - MoreAcceptable1
Bird Brain - Jemmy WrenAcceptable1
Nook - YorksAcceptable1
Downton - Raspberry RipperAcceptable1
Red Rat - Hadley's GoldAcceptable1
Mallinsons - JasperooAcceptable1
Richmond - Sw'AleAcceptable1
Hogs Back - Tongham TEA (previously T.E.A.)Acceptable1
Red Rat - Crazy Dog BlondeAcceptable1
Eastwood's - Minster MildAcceptable1
Briscoe's - Chevin LightPoor1
Downton - Indian Pale AlePoor1
Downton - OTTUndrinkable1
Twickenham (also uses sub-brand Old Hands) - Grandstand BitterNot Tried0
Twickenham (also uses sub-brand Old Hands) - Naked LadiesNot Tried0
Picture 1. The Bricklayer's Arms, Putney, Greater London

Visits Details

04 Jan 2014 (Stephen Harris)
Lunchtime visit and there are only four other customers in. I chatted about rain and floods with one of the regulars at the bar.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Twickenham (also uses sub-brand Old Hands) - Winter Cheer4.40GoodChestnut-coloured, malty bitter.
Twickenham (also uses sub-brand Old Hands) - Redhead4.10GoodSweetish red ale with minimal hopping.
Twickenham (also uses sub-brand Old Hands) - Grandstand Bitter3.80Not Tried
Twickenham (also uses sub-brand Old Hands) - Naked Ladies4.40Not Tried
Downton - Chocolate Orange Delight5.80Not Tried
25 Sep 2013 (Stephen Harris)
One of the periodic beer festivals is underway here, this time featuring Wiltshire-brewed beers. It is unexpectedly quiet for a beer festival and my group are able to secure a table in a prime spot inside. 40+ beers available, I list just those I drank.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Plain Ales - India Plain Ale5.20ExcellentGolden and hoppy. The stand-out beer of the evening for me.
World's End - Pewsey Mild4.80ExcellentVery nice, smooth, dark, chocolaty mild.
Shed Ales - Shed Some Light3.80GoodGolden and spicily hopped.
Stealth (formerly Kennet & Avon) - Dundas Best Bitter4.20GoodI understand that K&A beers are currently cuckoo-brewed at Wessex Brewery. This was an amber-coloured bitter.
Weighbridge - Pooley's Golden4.70GoodAnother golden beer.
Downton - Raspberry Ripper4.50AcceptableA rather unsubtle fruit beer. Not just raspberry, but cherry too, resulting in a mix of sweet and tart flavours. The advertised ‘delicate hop bitterness’ seemed a bit lost to me.
27 Sep 2012 (Stephen Harris)
Kent Beer Festival in progress. Unfortunately, none of the highly desirable green hop beers are on sale, their release being timed to coincide with the Green Hop Festival in Canterbury. Nevertheless, there are many beers available either through the handpumps or on stillage – I list just those I tried.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Tonbridge - Rustic4.00ExcellentCopper/bronze-coloured best bitter. Richly malty and fruity with hop character too.
Westerham - Spirit of Kent XXX Pale Ale4.00ExcellentAmber coloured, tangy and hoppy.
Wantsum - Black Prince3.90GoodFull-bodied, dark mild. Fruity, with some toasted malt.
Abigale - Nailbourne4.50GoodAmber-coloured. Full-bodied and malty.
Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - The Pardoner's Ale3.80GoodGolden coloured with a grapefruity hop character – this example a bit flat and sticky.
Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - The Friar's Ale4.30GoodWell-balanced IPA with both English and US hop character.
Shepherd Neame - Queen Court4.50GoodDry and sharply hoppy.
23 Feb 2012 (Martin the Mildman)
Yorkshire beer festival in full flow.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Old Mill - Traditional Mild3.40ExcellentAs it says, dark brown, sweet and malty with low hopping. My score 16/20.
Great Newsome - Holderness Dark4.30ExcellentDark brown stronger mild which ticks all the boxes, sweet, malty, smooth and well rounded. My score 16/20.
Golcar - Dark Mild3.20GoodNow shown as 3.6%. Dark brown malty mild with hints of liquorice and a bittersweet, dry finish. My score 15/20.
Exit 33 (formerly The Brew Company then Sky's Edge) - Evil Genius4.70GoodA black and very dry, roasty stout. The dryness of the roast malt gives an almost astringent finish. My score 15/20.
Wensleydale - Mel Becks3.50GoodVery pale with a good bitter hop character balanced with some maltiness. My score 15/20.
Ridgeside - Innuendo4.50GoodPale bitter with a good hop character and full flavour. Fairly dry finish. My score 15/20.
Abbeydale - Dark Matter3.60AcceptableReddish mild that has unfortunately gone down the crystal malt road giving a tangy bittersweet malt flavour and a rather cloying, dryish finish. My score 14/20.
Naylor's - Velvet Premium Mild4.00AcceptableRed/brown in colour but far too bitter for a mild. Too much crystal malt flavour gives a dry, bittersweet finish. My score 14/20.
Bird Brain - Jemmy Wren3.90AcceptableVery pale and bitter with a dry, crisp citrus hop character. My score 14/20.
Briscoe's - Chevin Light3.80PoorGolden bitter with a very sharp hop taste bordering on phenolic. The finish is very bitter and dry. My score 12/20.
22 Feb 2012 (Stephen Harris)
The first night of a Yorkshire Brewers-themed beer festival. A bit chilly out in the yard, so inevitably crowded inside. Very good quality from both the handpumps and the stillage. A great many beers available, this is just a partial list.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Brown Cow - Mrs. Simpsons Thriller In Vanilla5.10ExcellentExcellent, black porter, flavoured with a little too much vanilla. I would have been happier with something a little more subtle – but still very good.
Exit 33 (formerly The Brew Company then Sky's Edge) - Evil Genius4.70ExcellentA lush, full-on, roasted Stout.
Imperial - Bee's Knees4.20ExcellentImpressive, light, honey beer. Balanced flavouring – does not descend into sweetness or stickiness.
Mallinsons - Citra3.80ExcellentVery pale, with a wonderful grapefruit aroma and taste. A little harsher than some other Citra-influenced beers I have tried
Naylor's - Velvet Premium Mild4.00ExcellentDark copper-coloured, full-bodied mild.
White Rose (Sheffield) - Naughty Blonde4.30ExcellentVery pale and hoppy, a great first pint of the festival for me.
Great Heck - Stormin Norman (previously Stormin' Norman)6.50GoodA strong, golden bitter.
By The Horns - Stiff Upper Lip (downgraded from 3.8% in 2023)3.40GoodDry, golden bitter, with digestive biscuit malt and bitter hop.
Tigertops - Captain Black4.40AcceptableBlack, rather flat beer with Old Ale sourness. My friends loved it, but it did not do it for me.
22 Sep 2011 (Martin the Mildman)
Derbyshire beer festival in progress, with more people outside than inside due to the clement weather.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Bottle Brook - Charlatan4.20GoodPale with good citrus hop character. Some malt balance and a fruity hop finish. My score 15/20.
Bottle Brook - London Lady5.00GoodStrong pale ale with a sweetish hop character, some hoppiness and a fruity finish. My score 15/20.
Nutbrook - Responsibly4.40AcceptableAmber bitter with a bitter hop flavour. Rather one dimensional with a dry finish. My score 14/20.
Coppice Side - Nottingham Blonde4.00AcceptableBitter and dry pale ale. Bitter hop flavour and a dry, astringent finish. My score 14/20.
Nutbrook - More4.80AcceptableStrong red/brown bitter with most bitterness from malt. Some hoppiness in the dry finish. My score 14/20.
24 Feb 2011 (Martin the Mildman)
Legendary Yorkshire Beer festival in progress with lots of brews from this brewery rich area.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Brown Cow - Captain Oates4.50ExceptionalExcellent strong dark mild with chocolate and vanilla flavours to the fore. Smooth and full bodied with a lingering chocolate malt finish. My score 18/20.
Copper Dragon - Black Gold3.70ExcellentDark brown mild with good malt character and also a little hop in the finish to give a tangy bite. My score 16/20.
Daleside - Monkey Wrench (was 5.4%)5.30ExcellentDark brown, smooth, sweet and malty - a strong mild in my book. Well rounded with just a hint of fruity hop in the finish. My score 16/20.
Oakwell - Old Tom Mild3.80ExcellentNow called plain Dark Mild to placate a certain other brand owner. A good malty dark brown mild with low hopping and a dryish finish. My score 16/20.
Concertina - Old Dark Attic3.90ExcellentRed/brown mild style beer with sweet fruitiness and good maltiness. My score 16/20.
Bird Brain - Black Bishop4.10ExcellentBlakc porter style beer with full bodied sweetish toffee malt flavours balanced with a little hop to finish. Loads of body and flavour for its strength. My score 17/20.
Briscoe's - Burnsall Classic Bitter4.00GoodRare appearance from this brewery, this is a traditional style amber bitter with good balance of hop and malt flavours. My score 15/20.
Salamander - Horse Play3.80GoodPale hoppy bitter with lots of citrus hop flavours and a soft fruity finish. My score 15/20.
Bridestones - Palindrome5.00GoodDark brown porter style ale with bittersweet hop and malt flavours leading to a dryish finish. My score 15/20.
Eastwood's - Minster Mild3.80AcceptableAn amber beer with a little too much bitterness to be really mild. My score 12/20.
Moorview - Another One4.30AcceptableAmber bitter with a strong bitterness with phenolic undertones. Little malt character and a bitter finish. My score 12/20.
Mallinsons - Jasperoo3.80AcceptablePale bitter with a dry citrus hop character. Very dry, hoppy finish. My score 14/20.
16 Oct 2010 (Collis)
Lunchtime visit but immediately busy on opening and a large range of ales.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Downton - Nelson's Delight4.50Good
Downton - Quadhop3.90Good
Hogs Back - Tongham TEA (previously T.E.A.)4.20Acceptable
Downton - Chocolate Orange Delight5.80AcceptableNot really to our taste.
Downton - New Forest Ale3.80Acceptable
Downton - Indian Pale Ale6.80PoorRidiculously strong and sirrupy but maybe just not our thing.
Downton - OTT1.00UndrinkableTwo out of three drinkers began wretching after trying this.
24 Sep 2010 (Martin the Mildman)
Suffolk and Norfolk beers at beer festival being held here.
BeerABVScoreNotes
BlackFriars - Raspberry Ripple4.00ExcellentPale fruity beer with good raspberry flavour. Good hop and malt balance in the base beer. My score 16/20.
Grain - Tap Room Bitter3.40GoodMalty session beer with some hop bitterness in the finish. My score 15/20.
St Peter's - Suffolk Gold4.70AcceptableStrong golden ale with bitter hop character and a dryish finish. My score 14/20.
St Judes - St Cecelia3.70AcceptableGolden ale with fairly restrained hop and malt character. My score 14/20.
Red Rat - Crazy Dog Blonde4.00AcceptablePale with some sweet maltiness and a dry, astringent finish. My score 14/20.
Iceni - Italian Job4.10AcceptablePale ale with a dry, bitter hop character and a dry, hoppy finish. My score 14/20.
Ole Slewfoot - Devil's Dream5.00AcceptableStrong amber bitter with a very biscuity malt character and little hoppiness. My score 14/20.
Red Rat - Stout Porter5.00AcceptableMore on the Porter side with a slightly sour tang but some hop and malt flavours. My score 13/20.
Red Rat - Hadley's Gold5.00AcceptableFairly malty strong golden ale with little hop character. My score 14/20.
26 Feb 2010 (Martin the Mildman)
Yorkshire Beer Festival under way with 123 different beers this year! As can be seen from the ratings, some superb beers here and a very enjoyable session.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Saltaire - Triple Choc (was Triple Chocoholic)4.80ExceptionalFor the third year running this scores maximum points for me. A simple formula, loads of chocolate but still tasting like a stout ale. Simply a classic. My score 20/20.
Brown Cow - Captain Oates4.50ExceptionalDark brown strong mild absolutely bursting with chocolate malt and vanilla flavours that are perfectly balanced. Low hop rate allows these flavours to last right through to the long finish. My score 18/20.
Oakwell - Old Tom Mild3.80ExcellentLow hopped and smooth with good sweetish toffee malt and a dry, malty finish. My score 16/20.
Storyteller - Fireside Stout4.70ExcellentFull bodied stout with plenty of roast and chocolate malt and a dry, roasty finish. My score 16/20.
Bridestones - Winter Stout5.00ExcellentFull bodied stout with good toffee and roast malt flavours and a fairly sweetish rounded character. My score 16/20.
East Coast - Holden's Double Chocolate Stout7.20ExcellentThis contains chocolate malt rather than pure chocolate so is much more bitter with dark chocolate and roast notes. A dry bitter, alcoholic finish. My score 16/20.
Burley Street Brewhouse - Clarendon Dark Mild3.60GoodBlack mild with lots of dark chocolate malts giving quite high bitterness. Dryish malty finish. My score 15/20.
Mallinsons - Volga Porter3.90GoodLow strength dark brown porter with a good balance of hop and malt flavours. Could have had a bit more toffee malt taste. My score 15/20.
Copper Dragon - Freddie Trueman4.00GoodTraditional bitter, well rounded with good hop character with hints of citrus balanced by some biscuity malt. My score 15/20.
Whalebone - Diana Mild3.50AcceptableQuite bitter for a mild, but lacking the lambic sourness I once experienced sampling this beer. Some roast malt evident, but also hop bitterness in the finish. My score 14/20.
Nook - Yorks3.70AcceptableGolden with the classic Yorkshire Bitter taste, high hop bitterness with a little malt and a very dry finish. My score 14/20.
Richmond - Sw'Ale3.70AcceptableMalty ruby mild style ale. High bitterness from roasted malts, fairly low hoppiness. Dry, bitter finish. My score 14/20.

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About The Bricklayer's Arms

The pub sign. The Bricklayer's Arms, Putney, Greater London

Summary of Beer Scores

 Total
Exceptional3
Excellent31
Good41
Acceptable34
Poor6

Website.

The pub is found in Putney, Greater London, SW15 1DD.

Traditional single-roomed pub tucked away near to Putney Bridge in Waterman Street. At one time was the only pub in London to serve the full Timothy Taylor cask range. SW London CAMRA Pub of the Year 2008. Regular beer festivals and events. Has 12 handpumps on the bar, offering an ever-changing range of amazing beers from small breweries around the UK. Policy is to buy in the whole range of a particular brewer every week, one that is not normally showcased in London, so it can offer Londoners a real choice. The aim is to have a sort of rolling beer festival.

We have visited this pub 22 times, seen 121 different beers and tried 102 of them.

Map location

Postcode: SW15 1DD