Union W9*

The Union Tavern, London W9. Pic: Fuller’s.

London’s Best Beer, Pubs and Bars updates
West London: Other locations – Westbourne Park

Contemporary pub, specialist (Fuller’s)
45 Woodfield Road W9 2BA
T 020 7286 1886 w www.union-tavern.co.uk tw union_tavern
Open 1200-2300 (2400 Fri-Sat, 2230 Sun). Children welcome until 1900.
Cask beer 6-9 (Fuller’s, up to 8 London guests), Other beer 10 keg, 60 bottles (London, international), Also Some specialist spirits.
Food Shortish enhanced pub grub menu, filled baps, meat, Outdoor Canalside terrace, Wifi.
Beer tastings, Meet the Brewer, Wed quiz, Thu-Fri live music, board games, functions.

Far from feeling threatened by the recent emergence of a new generation of small brewers in London, the capital’s one remaining historic independent brewery, Fuller’s of Chiswick, has shown confidence and foresight in actively celebrating and supporting it as a key member of the London Brewers Alliance. In June 2012 it further affirmed its support of the local brewing renaissance by reconfiguring one of its best sited pubs, the Grand Union (also previously known as the Pelican and the Carton Bridge Tavern), as a showcase for London’s brewing treasures, with some world craft beers thrown in for good measure.

Fuller’s cask beers, with contemporary creations like Bengal Lancer and Wild River alongside benchmark traditionals like ESB, line up on the ten handpumps alongside the products of Beavertown, East London, Redemption, Windsor & Eton and the very local Moncada.

Camden Town, Kernel and Meantime beers will likely be on the keg taps, plus if you’re lucky W&E’s Republika lager, alongside quality imports from the Czech Republic, Germany and the USA. Bottles from London brewers – London Fields and Redchurch besides Fuller’s own noted specialities – feature on a well chosen world list also including crafty Brits like Dark Star, Oakham and Summer Wine, Euro classics from St Georgen and Rodenbach and a few from brewers like Struise and Nøgne-Ø to keep the bloggerati happy.

The brewery’s experience as a pub operator shows too – they’ve created a welcoming, clean and contemporary space with the considerable bonus of a lower level that opens on to one of London’s loveliest waterside terraces, right beside the Grand Union Canal, so you can idly watch the narrowboats drift by as you enjoy your perfectly served pint of London’s finest.

Insider tip. If you’re lucky enough to own your own boat, ring ahead to book a free guest mooring right beside the terrace.

Underground Westbourne Park Cycling LCN+ 45, Shepherds Bush link, Grand Union Canal towpath Walking Grand Union Canal Walk, link to Jubilee Greenway