please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
This place came recommended for its range of ales that run out by 8pm on a Saturday night! The evening started badly with only two bar satff on for the Arsenal v Sp.urs fixture. They also couldn't manage bar snacks for a large part of the evning. Overall, a pitiful experience.
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Finally got around to visiting the William IV last night, having intended to do so for a long while.
Even at 10pm it was busy, with a darts match going on, plenty of people in the large back area listening to a jazz band, and others sat on the benches out front.
Had a couple of pints of non-Brodie’s beer, and you certainly can’t grumble at only having to pay £2.60 for a beer at a pub these days.
Did have tasters of a couple of the stuff brewed on the premises – the Dalston Black IPA and a stout – but wasn’t massively struck... especially on finding out they were £5 a pint due to their ABV.
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Great pub, friendly locals, Brodie's beers brewed on site, £2.50 a pint. If you like beer and traditional pubs then this is it.
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Visited yesterday for the first time...Well impressed with the selection of ales...3 Brodies were on..also half a dozen other local cask ales...excellent massive pub mirrors around the bars....interior a bit run down but the Brodies make the visit worthwhile..especially at £2.50 a pint..A few regulars were drinking Fosters and Stella...hmmmm !
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Large corner plot Brodies pub just off the Bakers Arms.
On my visit there were 10 Brodies ales and a guest on tap with various Brodies in bottles behind the bar.
This is a good old fashioned pub with worn looking bar and seats with rips in them, plenty of characters aswell.
A real ale drinkers haven, especially at £2.50 a pint.
Various chalkboards in and out of the pub need updating as I visited in May and the boards had March dates on!
Decent pub but the clientele don't reflect the beers of a real honest brewery.
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The Williams IV is an attractive pub from the outside and has plenty of character inside too. There is a busy front bar which opens out into another decent size room at the rear. The clientele is a good mix, with locals and real ale drinkers, both young and old coinciding. With a festival advertised, I was a little disappointed that there weren't more Brodies beers on offer. But they did have Jamaican Stout, Doppel Dunkel Weizen, Citra, London Lager, Simcoe Pale, London Pale Ale, Peanut Butter Mild, Old Street Pale, Dalston Black IPA, Kiwi, Romanov Empress Stout & Bethnal Green Bitter. So not a bad selection really. The ones I tried were all good. They also have a real cider, which was Magic Bus Farmhouse Styled Cider. If I had one criticism, it would be the service. Whilst it was fairly swift, the female staff member that served me was rather surly and seemed to find it hard to communicate. Please and thank yous always go a long way. Glasses were also building up on tables with nobody seeming to have the inclination to tidy them up. But all in all, my visit here rounded my day off nicely and I somehow staggered home after finishing on the 12% stout!
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Made a return before going to Brisbane Road for the Cup replay v Hull City.
The citra while only 3% was most tasty and refreshing.
An excellent initiative was that during all live sport on the TV's, soft drinks would be £3. Great idea to get rid of the freeloaders who cuddle half a coke for 90 minutes taking up the best seats and putting off proper drinkers.
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What a great pub, nor overly busy on a Monday afternoon but the roaring fire at the back helped. Loads of handpumps spread over quite a distance but a lot were redundant - still there must have about 10 Brodies beers on - I tried the Bethnall Green bitter, Jamaican Stout and the Old Street Pale. Well kept beers at a decent temperature. Prices as per previous comment were £2.45/pint. I will come back here again it's a no-brainer.
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Made a return vistit a week ago Sunday.
Still great value Brodies Ales @ £2.45 a pint.
Was only going to have two but ended up on four before I was able to tear myself away.
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Visited middish afternoon when there was a good mix of customers but service was holding up well. This is a fantastic traditional pub, a bit Sam Smiths meets East London. I was doubtful the beer range quality could be sustained, but the White IPA was lovely and cheap. Deserves its accolades.
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Made an excuse on a day off to visit, and I'm so glad I did.
A proper old school pub in terms of layout and decor. Decent clientelle, friendly barstaff, excellent Brodie's ales at a very fair price.
Can't really fault it. Wish it was near to me. Every London borough should have a brewpub such as this by law.
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This pub claims on their website that will give tours of their microbrewery to small groups if arranged in advance, and provides an e-mail address.
I sent a polite e-mail enquiring about this; they never even had the courtesy to reply.
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Still the best pub in the area, Brodie�s now �2.35 a pint, oh the horror, an extra 36p! Still playing Heart Radio, please stop.
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I have got news for you MillHouse as I was in there yesterday and the price of a pint of Brodies is now �2.35, still a bargain though but now dearer than the �2.15 a pint in the Drum up the road.
But that is for the guest ales as they don't sell Brodies.
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I've visited this pub regularly over the last few years and I'm glad to see that Brodie's seem to be establshing themselves. There are always several of their beers on all at the same low price.
The pub itself is a fine large Victorian street corner local, slightly blowsy but comfortable. Pleasant enough - I just wish the Publican would stop piping in radio music!
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Agree with all hillzy except we had enough time tample a lot of the ales. An amazing aray of styles to suit all real ale fans I would think. And the brewery's just outside the back door. One of the clientele was noisy but the atmosphere was great once he'd left. Food was fine . Deserves to really well. Would be nice to see it in the GBG
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Currently visiting a pub for every station on London Overground. Did this one for Leyton Midland Road. A very good Brodies pub with a staggering 14 beers on when I visited. The Brodies Kiwi was in good condition when I went though i hear it can be hit and miss here. Very, very cheap and a nice, friendly atmosphere in here. I recommend highly!
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Rather shabby, down at heel yet characterful Walthamstow pub. Two Brodies beers tried, which were both rather unbalanced citrus bombs. I think they'd be better perfecting a smaller range of beers rather than providing the seemingly endless choice at the moment. A case of ambition and scale overcoming quality I feel.
Can't knock the prices though! Can't remember last time I got change from �4 for two pints!
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I was in last night for the first time in a while. I'm sorry to say I was disappointed. Not by the friendly service, decent food or atmosphere, but by the beer. Me and my mate tried 8 f the Brodies on between us and 6 of them were in very poor condition. They weren't quite bad enough to take back, but were pretty close. I hope this is a temporary blip, perhaps the hot weather hasn't helped. I've been coming here on and off since they started the Brodies and I hope they get this sorted.
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They are serving Boddingtons ????
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Terrific range of Bodies beers available,and a nice pub to visit, friendly staff and willing to give tasters is a real help with so many on offer.
Definately a pub for real ale lovers to add to their list.
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Went there recently and all the beers were either off or on their way out. And the staff did not seem too bothered about this. Clearly Brodies need to get a grip.
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Agreed, they are perhaps rather ambitious, but as for the Romanov stout - OF COURSE we need a stout at 12%: a half of that is a great way to round off the session. Ditto the Porter at 7.5%. Also, considering both are only �1.99 a pint, you could spend the best part of an evening drinking halves of these for under a tenner in total.
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I have tasted several Brodies' beers (at their Soho pub and in free houses) and while many were excellent I am a little concerned that they brew too many!! I'm not sure of the exact number but they must have produced over a dozen beers recently. Are they all different and do we really need that many? (Stouts at 12% for eample) Discuss!!
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Outstanding range of Brodie's beers. Had the California one which was absolutely bursting with flavour. Beautiful interior, really nice relaxed atmosphere, lots of screens for football but didn't seem dominated by sport.... this place seemed almost perfect.
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Have been drinking in the William for many years and have seen the vast improvements over the past two years since new management have taken over, all for the better. On offer is a fantastic range of Brodies and guest ales all at �1.99 a pint! Am very shocked at the lack of Camra support and the exclusion of not being in the good beer guide. Have to agree with mendes about the sacking of a camra members daughter? Camra obviously have a personal vendetta against this place which is a real shame as it is a true gem in waltham forrest. Keep up the good work.
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Dear mendes
just to inform you that the person daughter did not get sacked , she quit. I know that because i was in the put when she asked the manager how much notice he would like her to give and his reply was ' IF you dont want to give any notice then you dont FUCKING have to' . she left and then after she left the manager insulted her.
i just thought if you are to insult people get your facts staight!
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Very nice pub with a good range of beers, mostly the full Brodie's range - and only �2 a pint! Well worth heading out to Leyton for.
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Some nice beers before the Orient match on Tuesday, Citra was bleedin' gorgeous!
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Attractive and impressive Victorian pub selling a huge range of beers from the attached brewery(Brodie's) and guests. On the downside, I think the brewery may be over-stretching itself as the beer quality was hit-and-miss(the mild being particularly poor). Maybe it would be a good idea to restrict the range to four or five (rather than 16!!) to ensure consistant quality. But then again at �1.99 a pint maybe it's a bit mean to complain.
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Great pub, there last night for the jam session,5 brodies beers at 2 quid each and 2 guest ales on, cheese burger and chips 4 quid very nice, good mix of people and very interesting decor ,beer fest in april;check their website it gives good beer info.
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Excellent pub! Friendly welcome and a relaxed atmosphere to accompany the fine Brodie's ales produced on the premises, plus a choice of guest ales. Excellent value for money: Brodie's ales at �1.99 a pint. Try the deceptive - and strong - Polska at 6.2%. Also serves food and offers accommodation. Well worth a visit
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Did I not review this place yet? Obviously it's high time I did.
I suppose the most prominent feature of this pub is the very extensive range of beers on draught that they brew themselves. Now, they're clearly a pretty experimental lot - which I wholeheartedly endorse - but this does mean that their stuff can be a little hit and miss. But at �2 a pint, it would be churlish to complain, and there's nothing here which is less palatable than the standard crud you get served in yer average alco-dungeon.
It is also a very convivial place generally - pretty roomy, decent, cheap and unpretentious pub grub, Sky Sports in one room, and a clientele made up of people in that happy medium group between yuppies and scuzzers. Some pleasant outside areas, bar billiards, and apparently some live music on occasion. If I lived in the area, this would certainly be the place I'd hang out.
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What a superb pub, it's pretty much my default choice now in the Waltham Forest area, usually above ten and most weekends sixteen real ales available all at uner �2 a pint which is phenomenal really. Not just Brodies but guest beers as well and usually high quality guest ales from the likes of Darkstar and the Camden Brewery. The beer quality is superb as well, I really struggle to remember the last time that I had a pint that wasn't crystal clear and pulled properly.
Amazingly fiendly and engaging bar staff just add to the character of what is becomin an East London Icon.
The fact that The Jerusalem Taverna nd The William aren't in the Good Beer guide I fear rather shows that the Local branch of CAMRA, and CAMRA in general have rather had their day!
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Great place. Very friendly and some top quality ales being served up, all made by Brodies in shed round the back. Worth the trip up the road from Leyton tube.
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Lovely looking pub when the flowers are blooming outside. Great space and lovely fire at times at rear. Micro brewery and an asset to the shopping centre.
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Surprisingly good and friendly pub. We were there one Saturday afternoon and it was busy enough, but I guess it might be rammed by closing time. Personally I'd avoid the Kiwibeer which tasted like alcoholic grapefruit juice, but I'm told it is one of their best selling beers. Definitely will be coming back
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Met the brother-in-law here again on the first Thursday in January and by happy accident it was Tina T's Funk and Soul Jam night. Lots of musicians turned up and darn good foot tapping evening was had by all as we waded thru the outstanding selection of ales brewed on-site once again. So first Thursday of the month is certainly worth a look if you fancy real ales AND a little something to make ya booty move.
A true gem in Waltham Forest.
QUESTION: What is CAMRA's problem with this place? I'm thinking clash of personalities at a local level.
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Probably one of the friendliest pubs i've been to in a long time. Not sure if they had the full range of beers on but there was more than enough to keep us happy, especially at �1.99 a pint! We came by tube to Leyton and it's a bit of a trek up the not-too-picturesque High Road; jump on a no.69(?)which drops off very close. It's worth the trip to drink good beer in such a characterful pub.
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Brewpub.
Good range of BRODIES beers brewed to suit all tastes.
Food served.
Traditional building.
Bit of a pig to get to from central london but worth trip.
Tankard glasses in use.
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Popped in for one and ended up trying 3 of the 10 or so Brodies ales on tap. Not a bad one amongst them! The amount of beer produced is amazing from such a small brew house!
I will be back for more.
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Visited their beer festival on Sunday. Although crowded, there were some seats available. Wide range of strange-tasting beers made more palatable by the two quid price. The elizabethan smelt of road tar, ridiculous. Hog roast not ready until 5pm. Also tried Brokeback Bitter, one of their 'gay beers'. WTF is a gay beer, and what is the point? This pub is only for CAMRA weirdos.
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After a considerable build-up both from those who had previously visited with it and those who hadn't, a visit was finally made to the bosom of Brodie's beer last Saturday. Although this was perhaps an unwise move given we were en route from a brewery visit, it worked out rather well if only by accident not design. Most of our 16-strong party managed to become acquainted with the 13 ales on (this is the norm, which suggests a very strong turnover - surely helped by the almost Wetherspoon-like pricing strategy of all pints being �1.99) over a couple of hours, and of all those tried I can happily report that I found none of them unpleasant. Indeed, most quite the contrary; given the diversity of beer styles this really is a great credit to the brewers.
We were also treated to a quick shufty at the brew house itself, which was interesting. Quite how so many offerings are produced from such basic equipment I don't know, but ours is not to reason why - just enjoy the fruits of the couple's not inconsiderable labours.
As a pub, the William IV would probably be chalked up as passable and pleasant without the Brodies cask ale arsenal; it is a characterful Victorian corner local of good size, attracting a nicely mixed set of punters. But with the beer draw, it elevates what would've been just another ordinary East London boozer to another level altogether. Surely it would be the only pub in this area which would attract such interest from further afield?
There really is a beer for all seasons, and something for most tastes to be found here. And if cask ale isn't your bag, then the usual bar fodder is available and served with a smile in comfortable enough surroundings. Worth seeking out - and if you have a choice of dates you could do worse than to set aside Sat 4/Sun 5 Sep as Brodie's will be celebrating their 2nd birthday, and amongst other things will be offering the characteristically generous range of beer, including the infamous 22% Elizabethan Ale. Whether a brew of that strength can technically be classified as beer is a debate worth having; preferably after several pints of it just to be sure you know what you're talking about.
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Kiwi and Mild both in excellent condition. Great way to spend a Sunday evening.
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Finally got to this place a few weeks ago, all beers on were Brodie's so I worked through the thirteen (I think) by halves. Some excellent stuff: I liked the one made with passion fruit, but the one made with pecans was superb, rich and satisfying. The porter is way too drinkable at 7.8 abv! And as for the Romanov stout: very yummy. Am looking forward already to the anniversary fest in September, but won't be waiting that long until the next visit.
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Brodies ale tastes like water which is essentially what it is, no body to it, unlike quality beer like Broadside. If they can afford to sell Brodies cheap, says it all, tax perks and no substance to it.
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Shortly after I left a comment back in Apr 08 there was a change of management (for the better) and they�ve started brewing their own beer, Brodie�s. The selection seems to change almost every week though IPA and English Best seem to be pretty permanent but I�ve yet to have a pint that didn�t satisfy, all at �1.99!!! Frasier, the old West Indian barman has retired but the staff are still a cheery bunch.
Still the best pub around here and getting better.
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A wonderful find on a drizzly Saturday afternoon. Home of the Brodie's brewery and all their own label pints are an absolute bargain at �1.99. The football was on in the front room but could hardly be heard in the comfy back room. The staff know about beer and the choice of ales on offer really does cater for all tastes. Didn't try the food but from plates coming out for others the portion sizes looked generous and were not too pricey. Definitely worth a visit if only to confirm that it is still possible to get a decent, well kept ale in London for under �2 a pint
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Beer's good (Brodies' many beers - being as they're brewed next door - always feature heavily; plus they do have others on as well. They had some Redemption Urban Dusk, from down the road in N17, on when we last visited).
The back room, mentioned by others, can be quieter when there's a football match on - though there is still a TV in there at least they seem to choose not to show the sports on it.
jrguk - 29 Apr 2010 17:34 |
Was in last night before and after popping down to Brisbane Road for the match. 9 beers on for a Tuesday lunctime - not too shabby! All the Brodies I tried were very good and all at �1.99 a pint. Food was basic, cheap and good pub grub. Can't think of a single negative about this place.
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Another fine Brodie's beer festival last weekend. Still a pub well worth visiting in what is a somewhat dire locality beerwise.
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The pub itself is impressive, split into 2 sections. the front section has a curved bar with 12 handpumps, the usual lager suspects and some real cider available. The handpump had 6 different Brodies beers available.
The beers available left me a little disappointed, all beers seemed to be flat and lacked a little conditioning. I may have just been unlucky especially when taking into account all the previous reviews and the reputation that Brodies seem to be building.
Hopefully the beers will be better when i return for the easter event.
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Excellent Brodies beers at �1.99 a pint make this an East London must visit. When you meet the family behind the beer they are always friendly and helpful.
I always enjoy my time in this particular pub.
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Large imposing street corner pub in the middle of a shopping parade on Leyton High Road.
The pub's exterior is adorned with hanging baskets, making the pub look attractive and inviting from the outside.
Inside, one finds a fine traditional roomy Victorian pub with an unusual curved mahogany bar in the front room. This room is decorated with various artefacts hanging down from the ceiling - pots, pans, musical instruments etc - and several impressive Truman Hanbury Buxton mirrors on the walls. In one corner is a dartboard.
The rear adjoining room has a separate bar ( no service from here on my Sunday afternoon visit ) and also has various artefacts, including a petrol pump behind the bar and an old factory clocking on machine. The walls are decorated with framed cartoons and paintings. Of pride of place is a large is a large bulls head over a brick fireplace at the far end of the room. Note also the large Taylor Walker mirror advertising their " Imperial Stout and Sparkling Ales". Both rooms are comfortably furnished with banquettes and carpets.
On the day of my visit, the front bar was showing Aston Villa v West Ham on a large drop downscreen, but it didn't dominate or spoil the atmosphere as can often be the case in pubs. Worthy of comment - and indicative of the hospitable and friendly atmosphere that prevailed throughout - was the fact that, near the end of the game, a coloured chap came in openly displaying his Arsenal allegiance ready for the next televised game to follow shortly ( Bolton away ). Given the area, I half expected someone might land one on him, but there was no hostility or antagonism in the slightest.
As we all know by now, Brodies Ales are brewed here from the on site brewery at the rear of the pub. Pleasingly, all beers are priced at � 1.99p and the 3 beers sampled by me - IPA, English Ale and East End Bitter - were fine, tasty pints, all in good condition.
This is a splendid East End pub - a real boozer's boozer - and I really warmed to this place. I'm rather surprised that - apart from the indefatigable Roger B - hardly any of the other BITE London regulars seem to have found their way here. If you're reading this, do put this one near the very pub of your "pubs to do" list. I'm certainly coming here again soon
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There's been a big improvement on the quality of the beer over the last year or so. Brodies Brewery, brew beers far better than brewers who have been around a lot longer, and at just �1.99 it is exceptionally good value.
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Superb pub,last festival brilliant,
Even on a normal day would recommend this pub to all,
Never felt out of place here, no trouble between old gits and the locals.
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Also went to the beer festival. Bloomin marvellous.
Fine ales at a bargain price of �1.99; when a beer wasn't available they nipped out the back and found a bottle of it! Excellent atmosphere, helpful and friendly staff. Nice interior, and the only pub I've been in where the toilets were properly heated in winter.
Will certainly be back.
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Went here for the Brodie's festival last weekend. All Brodie's beers were promised. Most were on - Old Hoppers Brew, Ho Ho Ho, Mild, Piggy Winkle Christmas Tinkle, Special, IPA, Californian, English Best, Red, Orient, Amarilla, Sunshine, Doppel Dunkel Weisen Heisen and Romanov Imperial Stout. The stout at 12.1% was particularly nice! When we asked what ciders were on, the reply was 'half or pint'. We said, 'but which ciders'. She said 'sizes?'. 'No, ciders'. 'Ah, Strongbow'. Marvellous. Neither of the two real ciders listed were available. Despite this and the large number of customers, service was good and efficient and Double Vision cider eventually appeared. The interior is very nice and there are plenty of tables. There's also a big screen for sports fans. A decent East London boozer, to which I would gladly go back.
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Good boozer
Tradional East London pub,fairly busy,which is good sign.
The Guinness was superb.
Like pubs use to be, long may it reign
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I've visited this pub about 4-5 times over the past 7 years or so, when assuming that they were brewing their own beer, and was served ale that was average at best - on a couple of occasions I received pints that resembled murky pond water (served by staff who seem oblivious to the dire state of the beer). As recent comments suggest, and I agree, things have changed. Very well kept beer today. Great old traditional boozer. Let's hope it is now on the way up.
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Paid my first visit yesterday. Only 4 Brodie beers were on but the 2 I had were very good. I will be returning very soon.
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Very good pub overall been in several times they do food which I havent sampled but looks fine, think they have Thai food there now! Real ales, good pre match for watching Leyton Orient actually, friendly enough too!
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Excellent pub as most others have said. Last night they had English, IPA, Red, Amarilla, Dukies (I think it's a blend), Porter and Californian. I treated it like a beer festival to try the ones new to me. All good beers particularly the 7.8% Porter. Friendly pub, good food and well worth seeking out. They also sell their bottled beers.
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Ever since Brodies Ales starting popping up on my travels I have had the Wiiliam IV as psrt of my �must do� portfolio. It can now, not just be ticked off, but added to the list of �must returns�.
A large traditional style East End boozer, the interior is divided into the main bar and rear bar although the general d�cor and ambience is the same between the two. The main bar itself is quite eyecatching feature and unusual with its severe curves that make it twice the length it would be it were straight as one would normally expect it to be. There are several artifcats dotted around the walls or hanging from the ceilings including petrol pumps, antique prams, musical instruments, an antique clocking-in machine and a good collection of old pictures, photos and some splendid large brewery mirrors. The rear section has its own bar with an Ind Coope mirror back. A brick fireplace is overlooked by stuffed buffalo and deer heads and note the unusual high barrel ceiling. A piano sits in the corner, at least I assume that�s what it was as it was covered up but if any East End pub has a piano (and they all should) it would be this one. A small walled courtyard houses the microbrewery and if you are not lucky enough to be shown around, you can at least peer through the windows at the equipment.
As for the beers, naturally Briodies takes centre stage although with 16 hand pumps there is scope to cater for whatever they fancy. There were 5 Bridies on during my visit, all at �1.99 a pint (Red, Ginger, English Best, Special and Gold) with 2 (IPA and Porter) with reversed clips. No other guest beers on offer but an interesting choice of Dabinetts cider and Ross perry made up 2 of the remaining pumps.
I wouldn�t ordinarily go into the food side of things but the English & Thai menu had enough selection to suit even Mrs B� fastidious veggie tastes. Virtually every Thai dish came with a veggie option, prices were very good (most dishes under a fiver) and portions generous.
Although my visit was on a Saturday night, there were plenty of tables available although there was still a healthy crowd of people. It must also be mentioned that, despite some people maybe having reservations about venturing into the area, there was no sign of any unsavoury customers to the extent that I didn�t even hear any swearing all night (apart from me). The bar staff were chatty, attentive and very approachable, happy to steer you through what beers may suit your taste if you are new to ales or just Brodies beers. The only gripes are relatively minor; the music / TV balance is never going to keep everyone happy and, although not exactly a fault of the pub, parking in the area is a problem which makes it a bit of a personal issue as we only ever go anywhere Leyton in the car on the way to/from watching Spurs.
4 years ago Silk Tork (who knows a thing or two about beers and pubs) mentioned that if the brewery were restarted it would be one of the best pubs in London. It has and it is.
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Finally got to go to this pub last Saturday for its Brodie's festival, which had a massive selection of their beers on and fascinating tours of their (micro) brewery out back. Good beer, the Red is a personal favourite, and �1.99 a pint is just great. Well worth going out of your way for.
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You cant really argue with the proposition here , �1.99 a pint , a good choice of ales and excellent Thai food . A real big space inside and finally somebody running a pub the way they used to be run in the east end . Good stuff
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I remember coming into this pub when it was its former self; this is a true transformation!
Interior is well designed; nice beer garden, and big windows onto the brewery to see what they are up to.
The ale is excellent; we were lucky enough to get a brewery tour!
That Thai food menu is good for complicated veggies, too.
Will surely be back soon.
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Excellent beer, excellent pub. Has improved lots since my last visit. The Brodies Porter was exceptional, and the ESB was just as good. Will be going back here to try more of the brodies range.
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Paid my first visit since they started brewing their own beer - Brodies. Had tried the beer before so was looking forward to it. However, this place surpassed my expectations. Where do I start? Great atmosphere, friendly locals, very nice Thai and English food. The beer? superb the mild was terrific as was the red and the 7.1% porter was so good it was dangerous! They had guest ales on too including a bitter from Pitfield. If that wasn't good enough they had a load of their bottle conditioned beer in the fridge - some of which is now in my Fridge! A decent old style jazz band in the corner added to the evening. The fact that one of the owners took the time to have a chat to me and my mate, both a little worse for wear just topped the evening off.
Great pub, deserves to do well and on last nights evidence it is!
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i live local to this pub and used to go to the drum mainly.once the william started brewing their oen beers and reduced it too 1.99 started to come in more often...
excellent brews brodied brewed behind the pub. (my fave is wit closely followed by sunshine..)if youre lucky you mi9ght see one of the brewers popping inot the pub for a light refreshment..
while im on i must mention the excellent staff..especially the oriental guy..
If youre used to weatherspoons staff then this guy is a revelation..he serves 3 people at once and he seems to have an uncanny knack of knowing who came to the bar and when..top man...also the ladies behind the bar are lovely too...lol
real mixture of customers its a very nice place all round......
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Excellent pub. Has many original features including a most fantastic bar. Beer is Brodies, brewed on the premises, quite stunning, and only �1.99 a pint. If I lived nearby I'd be here every night. Has piped music, but not intrusive when I visited, as such a large space - better without it though. Jazz night once a month. It's a 10.
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A Friday night visit to the William IV which is just off the Lea Bridge Road at Bakers Arms. Met a friend from Leytonstone there, locked our bikes up on the convenient bike stand right outside the side window. Lovely big plate glass windows give a clear view inside and make the outside appearance quite inviting. Pub was busy towards to rear with many tables ordering the Thai food. There was a dedicated waitress serving them all evening. We started on the Brodies Best but found it a little bitter. Moved to the Brodies IPA which was very decent indeed and we stuck to it. Bar staff attentive and pleasant. Fairly eclectic mix of clientele but all either friendly or inoffensive. Quirky locals using the dartboard too.
We'll definately be back at the William IV as soon as our lives will allow.
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its great that the brewery is back. had a very good pint of Brodies special
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I agree that it is a lovely Victorian pub. Enjoyed my pints in there very much. Also, I first sampled Brodies Wit in the Magpie and Crown, Brentford! It was absolutely the business! A very fine 3 pints indeed, pity I had to rush off. Well done with the brewing - keep it up.
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I popped into the William IV on Thursday. They had three beers from the micro-brewery on offer: Brodies IPA, Red and Mild. Happy hour 5 pm � 7 pm �1.99 a pint.
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A lovely old Victoria town centre pub.
Two Brodie's ales were on offer - IPA and Red - along with Fuller's London Pride and ESB. I sampled the Brodie's IPA, which was palatable if not sensational, but nevertheless an encouraging start for a new micro-brewery.
Unfortunately the volume was turned up far too loud for the televised Saturday evening football match for the benefit of those sitting a lot further from the screen than they needed to if they were that interested in it. I like football and was taking a passing interest while chatting to friends, but I don't want shouty commentators and roaring crowd noise - you can see what's happening without that accompaniment.
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Great news that you're brewing again! Must revisit soon!
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We are brewing again at The Sweet William Brewery. We brewed the first brew in a few years,on August 8 It is Brodies IPA. A 4% light coloured IPA. It is on sale now. James Brodie the pub owner's son, is intending to bring the brewery back to producing 5-10 barrels a week. We will brew another IPA this Sunday and a red beer next week.
Regards
Andy Skene
Canuk Brewing Company
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Tried this out the other day following great reviews on this site and was sadly disappointed. There were three ales on, but non were well kept. The whole place had an air of "seen better days". The pubs in nearby Walthamstow Village are much nice.
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Been drinking here ever since the 3BBs went bad. The beer has gone through a very dodgy patch though they are more than happy to change it if it's off. Can be a little short staffed at times and apart from the two guys regularly behind the bar they seem to have a fast turnover of staff; a different young lady from Eastern Europe every visit! The thai food is back after a short absence and is excellent. Big screen for big matches, though sometimes Frasier seems reluctant to use it unless the cricket's on but he's from the WIndies so it's expected. The back room is light and airy, if you can ignore the water buffalo's head. Small patio area out back quite pleasent in the summer. The micro brewery hasn't been in operation for donkey's.
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A lovely characterful pub with a wide mix of punters, usually-decent beer (though this can wobble occasionally) and friendly staff. Put it this way - I get a bus across W/stow to have a pleasant relaxing pint here.
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Remove the reference to the Micr - its been finished for years. As has decently kept ale. A sad loss to the 'Stow' youre better off crossing the road to the Tescos for a few bottles.
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Note that offthewagon07 has made the same point that I made 15 months ago! I wonder whether it's the same barmaid; if so, she's a very slow learner!
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Beer was ok on my visit. Staff very very gloomy and unfriendly. I asked for a packet of pork scratchings and she told me 'we have Stella!' I gave up trying. I came in for a drink not to give English lessons!
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Good beer and food in this reliable pub.No sign of any microbrewed beers , unfortunately .
FULLERs beers were OK at �2.70 a pint for the PRIDE.
Shows SKY SPORTS football matches including Pay Per View
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One of the best pubs in the borough, and easily the best of the bunch on the Bakers Arms Junction.
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Traditional old-time pub with ESB and London Pride on draft. Barmaid (Eastern European?) isn't very hot on English - I had to say "pint of Pride" three times before she got it! In contrast, the lady serving the Thai meals is very friendly, and her curries and stir-fries, very cheaply priced, complement the beers wonderfully.
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Generally speaking the ales are consistently well kept, with Fullers ESB, London Pride and Discovery usually available.
The atmosphere is different depending on whether it's a major match night or not, music or no special events.
Events are well notified, so it's easy to adjust the times of your visit depending on what you're looking for.
The back room has space for quite large parties and the clientele is varied, with quite a few regular groups and individuals. Like others, I hope the Sweet William Brewery is reopened. Its London Mild was a triumph.
As to the bar staff, like with most pubs, treat them with respect and friendliness and you'll find those qualities returned. As a regular re-visitor, by choice, I take my money where I prefer to slake my thirst.
There are other excellent pubs in the area, but I rate ths one very highly. Mike
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Large (seemingly endless) pub with a long winding bar. Big plants in the window, plus odd knick-knacks scattered around, create a cosy atmosphere. Guest ales, decent, good value Thai food, relaxed friendly atmosphere from very mixed, slightly bohemian customers, and free newspapers make this one of my favourite pubs in London. Great. If the Sweet William brewery was running (whenever I ask they always say they intend to start it up again soon) this would be THE best pub in London.
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Pub is now much better; real ales whittled down to Fullers (plus occasional guest) but kept in decent nick. Still a wide mix of punters, pleasingly cluttered decor, papers to read & friendly atmosphere. Put it this way: I regularly get a bus over here from the far side of Walthamstow rather than drinking in W/stow itself.
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Visited this pub recently, a bit apprehensively, bearing in mind the comments posted on yhis site, but was pleasantly surprised. Its currently not brewing but its selection of beers, mostly Fullers was fine. I had a pint of Umpires Finger & my chum went straight to ESB & both were splendid. Pub exterior (myriad hanging baskets) & interior (comfy chairs, lots of aged wood & brasswork were what I want from a pub; the huge tv screen showing green tinted snooker was a bit pointless, but others seemed interested. Good mix of ages & races seemingly in harmony & the barman we spoke to was v friendly without being intrusive. If you're in the area visit the pub you'll be pleased you did!
Joe Clarke - 2 May 2004 10:43 |
Once a real gem and now only occasionally serving a decent pint. Atmosphere also taken a downturn as a more 'Lager crowd' starts to predominate. The micro has stopped for the moment after an attempt to brew by phone by the manager after losing a couple of excellent brewers.
A b****y shame to 'lose' what was a great local regardless of the micros position.
Paul - 20 Apr 2004 12:30 |
Very disappointing to find, on revisiting the William IV, not only that they're no longer brewing, but also that the (few) real ales on offer were in very doubtful condition. I had to return my pint of Barnsley bitter. The barmaid referred to a man sitting on the customers' side of the bar. He said he had been "serving the beer all afternoon", tried some & made no comment about it. He asked what else I was drinking. Thankfully I was given a pint of Woodfordes Wherry bitter without extra charge, but this tasted rather watery and not at all like my last pint of the same beer some months back.
James Farmer - 1 Apr 2004 23:49 |
people stare at U when U walk in here dont come on your own come with someone. came once in 2001 seems worse now has management changed? for good beer and nice pub go over the road to the drum at bakers arms, wetherspoons pub.
anonymous - 24 Feb 2004 17:10 |
Sadly nothin like how it was in 2001. The Sweet William Brewery used to produce excellent beer, but a year or so ago stopped brewin there is, however, Thai food in the pub. Attracts a mainly sports-oriented crowd, Staff moods vary.
anonymous - 13 Nov 2003 19:50 |
Good beer, clean glasses, live music (for the over 70's incl. Banjo Les!) traditional decor, two bars, big screen sports, beer brewed on premises
Frazer Moutrie - 30 Oct 2003 17:34 |
