PubsandBeer
Express Tavern (The Express Ale & Cider House) (Free House)
| Beer (sort) | Average Score (sort) | No. Samples (sort) |
|---|---|---|
| Twickenham (also uses sub-brand Old Hands) - Grandstand Bitter |  | 1 |
| Haresfoot - Conqueror's | | 1 |
| Malt, The Brewery - Prestwood's Best | | 1 |
| Goddards - Ale of Wight | | 1 |
| Goddards - Scrumdiggity |  | 1 |
| Wild Weather - Our Milkshake Brings All The Beards To The Yard Peanut Butter Milkshake IPA (collaboration with Weird Beard) | | 1 |
| Haresfoot - Lock Keeper's Launch Ale | | 2 |
| Marston's - Bass | | 5 |
| Malt, The Brewery - Harvest Ale | | 1 |
| Summer Wine (SWB) - Stateside | | 1 |
| Northern Monk - Monacus NZ | | 1 |
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter |  | 5 |
| Parkway (formerly Glastonbury Ales) - Love Monkey | | 1 |
| Binghams - Hot Dog Chilli Stout | Not Tried | 0 |
| Brew York - Ekuanot be Serious | Not Tried | 0 |
| Windsor & Eton - Parklife | Not Tried | 0 |
| Binghams - Brickworks Bitter | Not Tried | 0 |
| Sambrook's - Junction | Not Tried | 0 |
| Binghams - Twyford Tipple | Not Tried | 0 |
| Burning Sky - Plateau | Not Tried | 0 |
| Sambrook's - Powerhouse Porter | Not Tried | 0 |
| TicketyBrew - Table IPA | Not Tried | 0 |
| Triple fff - Pressed Rat & Warthog | Not Tried | 0 |
| Gorgeous - Gunpowder | Not Tried | 0 |
| Oakleaf (now see Fallen Acorn entries) - Pompey Royal | Not Tried | 0 |
| Arbor Ales - Blue Sky Drinking | Not Tried | 0 |
| Buntingford - Hurricane | Not Tried | 0 |
| Turners - Golden Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Big Smoke - Solaris Session Pale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Arbor Ales - This Time Next Year Rodney | Not Tried | 0 |
| Turners - Ruby Mild | Not Tried | 0 |
| Ilkley - Rombald | Not Tried | 0 |
| Sambrook's - Sidekick | Not Tried | 0 |
| Grafton - Golden Starr | Not Tried | 0 |
| Beatnikz Republic - Citra Double IPA | Not Tried | 0 |
| Buntingford - Templar Gold | Not Tried | 0 |
| Northern Monk - Pale Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Cronx - Nektar | Not Tried | 0 |
| Tiny Rebel - Bitter Sweet Symphony ESB | Not Tried | 0 |
| Parkway (formerly Glastonbury Ales) - Mystery Tor | Not Tried | 0 |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Jaipur | Not Tried | 0 |
| Rooster's - Fort Smith | Not Tried | 0 |
| Siren Craft - Under Current | Not Tried | 0 |
| Turners - Best Bitter | Not Tried | 0 |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Melba Peach IPA | Not Tried | 0 |
| Windswept - APA | Not Tried | 0 |
| Wimbledon - Copper Leaf | Not Tried | 0 |
| Banks & Taylor's (B&T) - Plum Mild | Not Tried | 0 |
| Kettlesmith - Fogline | Not Tried | 0 |
| Harbour - Light Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Stonehenge - Great Bustard | Not Tried | 0 |
| Beatnikz Republic - Leather Soul | Not Tried | 0 |
| Windsor & Eton - Canberra | Not Tried | 0 |
| Tonbridge - Coppernob | Not Tried | 0 |
| Brew York - Tonkoko | Not Tried | 0 |
| Cronx - Kotchin | Not Tried | 0 |
Visits Details
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.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marston's - Bass | 4.40 | | 2nd 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 Bitter | 4.00 | | First out for a while and tasted sweetish not really like Harvey's BB at all |
| Marston's - Bass | 4.40 | | Definitely first out for a while |
| Sambrook's - Junction | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Sambrook's - Powerhouse Porter | 4.90 | Not Tried | |
| Big Smoke - Solaris Session Pale | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Gorgeous - Gunpowder | 4.80 | Not Tried | |
| Buntingford - Hurricane | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Arbor Ales - This Time Next Year Rodney | 6.00 | Not Tried | |
| Sambrook's - Sidekick | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Buntingford - Templar Gold | 4.60 | Not Tried |
16 Sep 2019 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening visit, arriving just after the TV football had ended.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | | |
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | | 2nd one bordering on excellent as being a tad cooler |
| Marston's - Bass | 4.40 | | Very 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 Current | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Melba Peach IPA | 5.20 | Not Tried | |
| Big Smoke - Solaris Session Pale | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Wimbledon - Copper Leaf | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Kettlesmith - Fogline | 4.70 | Not Tried | |
| Beatnikz Republic - Leather Soul | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Brew York - Tonkoko | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Brew York - Ekuanot be Serious | 5.20 | Not 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.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marston's - Bass | 4.40 | | Not 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) | 4.80 | | I 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 Bitter | 4.00 | | Replacement 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 Bitter | 4.00 |  | First 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 & Warthog | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Jaipur | 5.90 | Not Tried | |
| Arbor Ales - Blue Sky Drinking | 4.40 | Not Tried | |
| Summer Wine (SWB) - Stateside | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Ilkley - Rombald | 4.60 | Not Tried | |
| Tiny Rebel - Bitter Sweet Symphony ESB | 5.50 | Not 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.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer Wine (SWB) - Stateside | 4.30 | | Rather too honeyish and sweet for my palate. |
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Marston's - Bass | 4.40 | Not Tried | |
| Triple fff - Pressed Rat & Warthog | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Arbor Ales - Blue Sky Drinking | 4.40 | Not Tried | |
| Big Smoke - Solaris Session Pale | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Ilkley - Rombald | 4.60 | Not Tried | |
| Wild Weather - Our Milkshake Brings All The Beards To The Yard Peanut Butter Milkshake IPA (collaboration with Weird Beard) | 4.80 | Not Tried | |
| Beatnikz Republic - Citra Double IPA | 6.70 | Not Tried | |
| Tiny Rebel - Bitter Sweet Symphony ESB | 5.50 | Not 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.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marston's - Bass | 4.40 | |
09 Mar 2015 (thebrewingman)
Lunchtime. Soon started to fill up.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Twickenham (also uses sub-brand Old Hands) - Grandstand Bitter | 3.80 | | |
| Haresfoot - Conqueror's | 4.40 | | |
| Stonehenge - Great Bustard | 4.80 | Not Tried | |
| Marston's - Bass | 4.40 | Not Tried | |
| Tonbridge - Coppernob | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Binghams - Hot Dog Chilli Stout | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Binghams - Brickworks Bitter | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Burning Sky - Plateau | 3.50 | Not Tried | |
| Binghams - Twyford Tipple | 3.70 | Not Tried | |
| Haresfoot - Lock Keeper's Launch Ale | 3.90 | Not Tried |
14 Nov 2014 (Stephen Harris)
Lunchtime visit, with good value food. Pleased to see that the refurbishment has enhanced rather than damaged this lovely pub.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parkway (formerly Glastonbury Ales) - Love Monkey | 4.20 | | A very fruity Bitter. |
| Marston's - Bass | 4.40 | Not Tried | |
| Parkway (formerly Glastonbury Ales) - Mystery Tor | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Rooster's - Fort Smith | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Turners - Best Bitter | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Windswept - APA | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Banks & Taylor's (B&T) - Plum Mild | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Haresfoot - Lock Keeper's Launch Ale | 3.90 | Not Tried | |
| Malt, The Brewery - Prestwood's Best | 4.40 | Not Tried |
07 Nov 2014 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malt, The Brewery - Harvest Ale | 4.10 | | |
| Northern Monk - Monacus NZ | 4.50 | | |
| Marston's - Bass | 4.40 | Not Tried | |
| Oakleaf (now see Fallen Acorn entries) - Pompey Royal | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Turners - Golden Ale | 3.50 | Not Tried | |
| Cronx - Nektar | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Turners - Ruby Mild | 4.60 | Not Tried | |
| Haresfoot - Lock Keeper's Launch Ale | 3.90 | Not Tried | |
| Grafton - Golden Starr | 3.60 | Not Tried | |
| Malt, The Brewery - Prestwood's Best | 4.40 | Not Tried |
07 Nov 2014 (ChrisE)
Afternoon visit, I met a group of friends here and we sat in the left hand bar and discussed whether a certain pair of partitions were there before the pub was refurbished. I took advantage of the reasonably priced daytime food offering.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malt, The Brewery - Prestwood's Best | 4.40 | | A delicious copper coloured tasty best bitter. |
| Marston's - Bass | 4.40 | Not Tried | |
| Oakleaf (now see Fallen Acorn entries) - Pompey Royal | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Turners - Golden Ale | 3.50 | Not Tried | |
| Turners - Ruby Mild | 4.60 | Not Tried | |
| Haresfoot - Lock Keeper's Launch Ale | 3.90 | Not Tried | |
| Grafton - Golden Starr | 3.60 | Not Tried | |
| Malt, The Brewery - Harvest Ale | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Northern Monk - Monacus NZ | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Northern Monk - Pale Ale | 4.50 | Not Tried |
25 Oct 2014 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening. I am sure I went here firmly expecting to moan and to report that it had been spoilt but, quite the opposite, really enjoyed the ambience and found the staff knowledgeable and very friendly and helpful. All the Express's original features have been retained and the beer choice is superb and 5 ciders added. They run a buy 9 get 10th free loyalty card scheme shared with The Sussex Arms, Twickenham and The Antelope, Surbiton.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goddards - Ale of Wight | 3.70 | | |
| Haresfoot - Lock Keeper's Launch Ale | 3.90 | | |
| Goddards - Scrumdiggity | 4.00 | | Dry bitterness |
| Haresfoot - Lock Keeper's Launch Ale | 3.90 | | Almost last one out - less good than earlier one |
| Marston's - Bass | 4.40 | Not Tried | Good to see it kept for old times sake and continuity and the pub does, after all, have prominent Draught Bass front wall fascia signage |
| Harbour - Light Ale | 3.70 | Not Tried | |
| Windsor & Eton - Canberra | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Cronx - Kotchin | 3.90 | Not Tried | |
| Windsor & Eton - Parklife | 3.20 | Not Tried | |
| Binghams - Twyford Tipple | 3.70 | Not Tried | |
| TicketyBrew - Table IPA | 2.80 | Not Tried |
About the Express Tavern (The Express Ale & Cider House)
Summary of Beer Scores
| Total | |
|---|---|
 | - |
| 7 |
| 11 |
| 5 |
 | - |
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 11 times, seen 61 different beers and tried 14 of them.
Postcode: TW8 0EW
This pub was formally know as the Express Tavern (use other entry now please).