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Express Tavern (The Express Ale & Cider House) (Free House)

[More Visits]

Beer (sort)Average Score (sort)No. Samples (sort)
Twickenham (also uses sub-brand Old Hands) - Grandstand BitterExcellent1
Five Points - Railway PorterExcellent1
Haresfoot - Conqueror'sExcellent1
Marston's - BassGood10
Summer Wine (SWB) - StatesideGood1
Wild Weather - Our Milkshake Brings All The Beards To The Yard Peanut Butter Milkshake IPA (collaboration with Weird Beard)Good1
Harvey's - Sussex Best BitterAcceptable9
Brew York - Ekuanot be SeriousNot Tried0
Burton Town - That Burton BitterNot Tried0
Burning Sky - Plateau (was 3.5%)Not Tried0
Sambrook's - JunctionNot Tried0
Elephant School (sub-brand of Brentwood) - My milk stout brings all the bulls to the yardNot Tried0
Binghams - Twyford TippleNot Tried0
Sambrook's - Powerhouse PorterNot Tried0
Elephant School (sub-brand of Brentwood) - Get Jiggy With ItNot Tried0
Haresfoot - Lock Keeper's Launch AleNot Tried0
Gorgeous - GunpowderNot Tried0
Vocation - Bread & ButterNot Tried0
Triple fff - Pressed Rat & WarthogNot Tried0
Buntingford - HurricaneNot Tried0
Park - Saw PitNot Tried0
Arbor Ales - Blue Sky DrinkingNot Tried0
Arbor Ales - This Time Next Year RodneyNot Tried0
Vocation - Lost In MosaicNot Tried0
Big Smoke - Solaris Session PaleNot Tried0
Sambrook's - SidekickNot Tried0
Northern Monk - SupNot Tried0
Ilkley - RombaldNot Tried0
Buntingford - Templar GoldNot Tried0
Siren Craft - Liquid MystiqueNot Tried0
Beatnikz Republic - Citra Double IPANot Tried0
Exeter - Avocet AleNot Tried0
Vale of Glamorgan (VOG) - Never Say DaiNot Tried0
Tiny Rebel - Bitter Sweet Symphony ESBNot Tried0
Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Brother RabbitNot Tried0
Hammer Head (sub brand of Stockport) - Slowly Hammered StoutNot Tried0
Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - JaipurNot Tried0
Sambrook's - Pumphouse Pale AleNot Tried0
Timothy Taylor - LandlordNot Tried0
Siren Craft - Under CurrentNot Tried0
Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - AstrydNot Tried0
Timothy Taylor - Boltmaker (formerly Best Bitter)Not Tried0
Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Melba Peach IPANot Tried0
Big Smoke - Cosmic DawnNot Tried0
Oakham - CitraNot Tried0
Stonehenge - Great BustardNot Tried0
Wimbledon - Copper LeafNot Tried0
Neptune - Hells CanyonNot Tried0
Park - Poets' CornerNot Tried0
Tonbridge - CoppernobNot Tried0
Kettlesmith - FoglineNot Tried0
Beatnikz Republic - Leather SoulNot Tried0
Windsor & Eton - Knight of the GarterNot Tried0
Binghams - Hot Dog Chilli StoutNot Tried0
Brew York - TonkokoNot Tried0
Portobello - Westway PaleNot Tried0
Binghams - Brickworks BitterNot Tried0
Picture 1. Express Tavern (The Express Ale & Cider House), Brentford, Greater London
Picture 2. Express Tavern (The Express Ale & Cider House), Brentford, Greater London
Picture 3. Express Tavern (The Express Ale & Cider House), Brentford, Greater London

Visits Details

14 May 2024 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening visit until close.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Five Points - Railway Porter4.80Excellent4½* Outstanding condition and flavours, alas no time for a second one
Marston's - Bass4.40GoodFirst out for a while I suspect
Marston's - Bass4.40GoodSignificantly better second pint. Cooler and fresher and all the flavours then came through
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00UndrinkableOff smell and taste, should not have been pulled and offered. Changed with good grace for another choice
Timothy Taylor - Landlord4.30Not Tried
Timothy Taylor - Boltmaker (formerly Best Bitter)4.00Not Tried
Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Jaipur5.90Not Tried
Oakham - Citra4.20Not Tried
Big Smoke - Solaris Session Pale3.80Not Tried
Park - Saw Pit4.30Not Tried
Park - Poets' Corner4.10Not Tried
17 Apr 2024 (Philip Pirrip)
On a Bass hunt evening visit until close.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Marston's - Bass4.40ExcellentBitterer than I expected but all to the good
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00GoodJust a tad off a 4* mark
Big Smoke - Solaris Session Pale3.80Not Tried
Vocation - Bread & Butter3.90Not Tried
Park - Saw Pit4.30Not Tried
Vocation - Lost In Mosaic4.50Not Tried
Northern Monk - Sup3.40Not Tried
Siren Craft - Liquid Mystique4.40Not Tried
Vale of Glamorgan (VOG) - Never Say Dai4.20Not Tried
Hammer Head (sub brand of Stockport) - Slowly Hammered Stout5.10Not TriedRan out
02 Aug 2023 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening visit, ASLEF overtime ban made it impracticable to stay until close. Expected a house full here with GBBF emigres searching for Bass but there were none. Good chat with a Dumbarton man.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Marston's - Bass4.40GoodGood but had better
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00AcceptableDrinkable but run of the mill condition alas. 10 cask ales on during quiet midweek is too many
Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Brother Rabbit4.00Not TriedAnother's looked totally flat and lifeless
Windsor & Eton - Knight of the Garter3.80Not Tried
Five Points - Railway Porter4.80Not Tried
Big Smoke - Solaris Session Pale3.80Not Tried
Portobello - Westway Pale3.80Not TriedCame on late in session
Burton Town - That Burton Bitter4.00Not Tried
Elephant School (sub-brand of Brentwood) - My milk stout brings all the bulls to the yard4.50Not Tried
Elephant School (sub-brand of Brentwood) - Get Jiggy With It4.60Not Tried
10 Aug 2022 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until close. At least more in than last Monday's visit but the 10 cask handpumps were hardly on overdrive.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Marston's - Bass4.40AcceptableBasic middle of the road taste brewed to offend no one. It is an institution here and I do like to have it to remind me how it is nothing like the Bass of auld
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Poor1st taste seemed OK but then followed realisation it was just on the turn. Slooshes of lemonade covered up the crime
Exeter - Avocet Ale3.90Not Tried
Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Brother Rabbit4.00Not Tried
Sambrook's - Powerhouse Porter4.90Not Tried
Sambrook's - Pumphouse Pale Ale4.20Not Tried
Big Smoke - Solaris Session Pale3.80Not Tried
Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Astryd3.80Not Tried
Big Smoke - Cosmic Dawn4.10Not Tried
Neptune - Hells Canyon5.80Not Tried
01 Aug 2022 (Philip Pirrip)
Much delayed (at Waterloo station) evening visit until close. Seats upturned on tables in both bars leaving bar stools as the seating. Fortunately a couple of double JD and cokes drinkers came in to make just the three of us in the right hand bar. Surprised but pleased to find that loyalty cards, already started, are stamped until completed.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Marston's - Bass4.40Good2nd one was cooler and fresher, the price paid I suppose for visiting on a quiet Monday evening when 10 pumps on offer
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00AcceptableFirst out for a while and tasted sweetish not really like Harvey's BB at all
Marston's - Bass4.40AcceptableDefinitely first out for a while
Sambrook's - Junction4.50Not Tried
Sambrook's - Powerhouse Porter4.90Not Tried
Big Smoke - Solaris Session Pale3.80Not Tried
Gorgeous - Gunpowder4.80Not Tried
Buntingford - Hurricane4.00Not Tried
Arbor Ales - This Time Next Year Rodney6.00Not Tried
Sambrook's - Sidekick3.40Not Tried
Buntingford - Templar Gold4.60Not Tried
16 Sep 2019 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening visit, arriving just after the TV football had ended.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Good
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Good2nd one bordering on excellent as being a tad cooler
Marston's - Bass4.40GoodVery malty and very yeasty brew. No hint of the Burton snatch of old. Just a case of badge brew engineering mocking the old brand.
Siren Craft - Under Current4.50Not Tried
Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Melba Peach IPA5.20Not Tried
Big Smoke - Solaris Session Pale3.80Not Tried
Wimbledon - Copper Leaf4.00Not Tried
Kettlesmith - Fogline4.70Not Tried
Beatnikz Republic - Leather Soul4.30Not Tried
Brew York - Tonkoko4.30Not Tried
Brew York - Ekuanot be Serious5.20Not Tried
20 Aug 2018 (Philip Pirrip)
Mid evening visit prompted by Mr Greel's visit report earlier in the day. Many more were in the right hand bar watching the first half of the Crystal Palace v Liverpool match on TV than for the second half, so I got a seat from half time.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Marston's - Bass4.40GoodNot a Burton snatch in sight, just an average un-exalted mid brown bitter nowadays
Wild Weather - Our Milkshake Brings All The Beards To The Yard Peanut Butter Milkshake IPA (collaboration with Weird Beard)4.80GoodI tried a pint for fun, good value in that it took me nearly an hour of sips to savour. Very sweet and a pint was enough. I suspect this would be better fizzed up and chilled in keg
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00AcceptableReplacement pint was fresh and still not Harvey's as it should be (if anyone can be sure how it should be!)
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00UndrinkableFirst sips turned my nose upwards, then saw cask being changed, which explained the unpleasant taste of my pint. Swapped for a new-cask pint with good grace, once pulled through
Triple fff - Pressed Rat & Warthog3.80Not Tried
Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Jaipur5.90Not Tried
Arbor Ales - Blue Sky Drinking4.40Not Tried
Summer Wine (SWB) - Stateside4.30Not Tried
Ilkley - Rombald4.60Not Tried
Tiny Rebel - Bitter Sweet Symphony ESB5.50Not Tried
20 Aug 2018 (Magnus Greel)
Late afternoon on a very muggy day, busy inside so we sat out in the not much cooler garden area. Pub has gone very trendy and foody since my last visit but with a superb beer range on offer.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Summer Wine (SWB) - Stateside4.30GoodRather too honeyish and sweet for my palate.
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Not Tried
Marston's - Bass4.40Not Tried
Triple fff - Pressed Rat & Warthog3.80Not Tried
Arbor Ales - Blue Sky Drinking4.40Not Tried
Big Smoke - Solaris Session Pale3.80Not Tried
Ilkley - Rombald4.60Not Tried
Wild Weather - Our Milkshake Brings All The Beards To The Yard Peanut Butter Milkshake IPA (collaboration with Weird Beard)4.80Not Tried
Beatnikz Republic - Citra Double IPA6.70Not Tried
Tiny Rebel - Bitter Sweet Symphony ESB5.50Not Tried
02 Sep 2017 (Joe Gargery)
First stop of the day, arrived at noon. Couple of pints of bass and a bite to eat and off to the rugby. Interesting conversation about motor bikes and Caterham cars with the locals and then the 2 other london irish fans turned up.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Marston's - Bass4.40Excellent
09 Mar 2015 (thebrewingman)
Lunchtime. Soon started to fill up.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Twickenham (also uses sub-brand Old Hands) - Grandstand Bitter3.80Excellent
Haresfoot - Conqueror's4.40Excellent
Stonehenge - Great Bustard4.80Not Tried
Marston's - Bass4.40Not Tried
Tonbridge - Coppernob3.80Not Tried
Binghams - Hot Dog Chilli Stout5.00Not Tried
Binghams - Brickworks Bitter4.20Not Tried
Burning Sky - Plateau (was 3.5%)3.40Not Tried
Binghams - Twyford Tipple3.70Not Tried
Haresfoot - Lock Keeper's Launch Ale3.90Not Tried

[More Visits]

About the Express Tavern (The Express Ale & Cider House)

The pub sign. Express Tavern (The Express Ale & Cider House), Brentford, Greater London

Summary of Beer Scores

 Total
Exceptional-
Excellent9
Good15
Acceptable7
Poor1

Website.

The pub is found in Brentford, Greater London, TW8 0EW.

Historic pub in Kew Bridge Road, over 200 years old and exclusively named the Express Tavern until Autumn 2014. That name remains on external signage but the pub is now marketed as The Express Ale & Cider house. Comfortable interior, friendly service and good value ales and food. For many years sold two to three guest beers alongside the regulars of Draught Bass and Young's. Was always well worth a visit if in the area. Has been owned by the Aldington family for many years and they remain owners in its latest incarnation in Autumn 2014. Closed in late August 2014 for refurbishment and conversion to an ale and cider house leased by the same team that runs the Sussex Arms at Twickenham. Re-opened with its new identity on Thursday 25th September 2014. Kew Bridge railway station is 50 yards away. This pub is located at the north end of River Thames's Kew Bridge. There are now 10 handpumps dispensing real ales on the counter of the right hand Chiswick Bar and the saloon / lounge bar counter sports 5 handpumps dispensing ciders and perries. All day food operation. CAMRA discount for card carrying members.

We have visited this pub 15 times, seen 84 different beers and tried 15 of them.

Map location

Postcode: TW8 0EW

This pub was formally know as the Express Tavern (use other entry now please).