The Albion, Kingston Upon Thames

I paid my first visit to this pub the other day since it's joined Big Smoke Brewery as their fourth pub, and I was very impressed indeed. When we arrived there were "only" nine ales and four ciders on, but a tenth ale had arrived at some stage before we left. If I had any criticism I would say that they were too heavy on golden ales, with seven of the ten being IPAs or the like. There was one porter on; one brown bitter; and Belleville Balham Black, which is branded as a sort of black lager. There were three Big Smoke ales on - all were unfined and unfiltered, with the warning as to the style in small letters on the pump clips. all the real ales were £4. They also do food - as a I recall toasties were £3.95 with sandwiches between £5 and £6. A little mug of "skin-on" chips was £1.50. But one comes here for the beer, and not really for the food. There were a couple of armchairs by the fireplace, but otherwise all the furnishings were traditional. The music, which wasn't too loud, was provided by a turntable system system behind the bar. Notable highlights of the music selection when I was in were albums by The Doors, and Curtis Mayfield. I didn't notice anything special about the decor, apart from loads of pub clips. I'm hoping that the lluminated pigeon or Dove at the back is just a Christmas affectation. Here they've managed to modernise the place somewhat without destroying its pub character. This is the sort of pub that I would love to have as my local. I will undoubtedly return some time.

Now taken over by the Big Smoke Brewery and reopened in August after a major refit. As mentioned below this sad old former GK pub has been transformed into a decent Craft and Cask pub. The bar top now has a row of 15 hand pumps with 10 real ales and 5 ciders and the white tiled keg wall behind has 20 keg taps on it. For my visit a couple of Big Smoke beers were on in the shape of Electric Eye and Solaris along with a couple of Oakham Ales ( JHB, Green Devil IPA), Thornbridge Lord Marples, Arbour Oz Bomb and The Park Brewery Autumn Brown Ale. Then on the Craft wall along with four beers from Big Smoke were offerings from Beavertown, tiny Rebel, Siren, Mad Hatter, Wild Beer and Camden Town to name a few. Suffice to say this is a little bit of an improvement and almost worth coming to Kingston now instead of just passing through on the way to Twickenham.

Now a free house with about 8 cask beers and twenty keg.Very similar layout to its sister pub the Antelope.Smart interior and I liked the art work on the wall for the Big Smoke beers.Small rear area with seating.Tried 2 beers and both in good condition.