Visiting Fullers

It depend on how much luggage you have to carry. If you have big piece need to carry, then better find a pub close to train station. Anyway you are going to the capital of beer. No need to be hurry. Once you are there. Even a little corner shop carry a lot more different beers than most of the UK supermarkets. Good luck on your beer pilgrimage. Cheers !!!

 

No.

The problem with the brewery is the distance it is from the nearest train station. When I went, it's a trek from Stamford Brook at close to fifteen minutes. The round trip is asking a lot for such a short stay. If you get there you'll only be able to walk around the grounds and visit the shop. There's a brewery local nearby which IMO serves well kept beer, but lacks atmosphere and has a dining focus.

Positives? You can get the last few years Vintage at reasonable prices and there's a lot of branded glassware that's not on the website.

 

Yes, I've been many times. It's easy to get to on the bus from Hammersmith and if the weather is nice the walk back along the Thames is enjoyable. The tour, like all brewery tours, will tell you what you probably already know about brewing. The Hock Cellar, where the tour ends for samples has a nice collection of breweriana, is a nice place to wander round. Afterwards head for the shop and the Brewery Tap for some of the best Fullers you'll ever sup.
BUT, 3 hours ain't enough.

 

I know you said you were covered for Fullers pubs but there is a decent modern one in Kings Cross Station which is immediately next door to St Pancras.

http://www.parcelyard.co.uk/

 

Yeah, usually a few decent cask beers on but nothing earth shattering. The view across the massive vaulted ceiling of the station itself is quite nice though.

The main thing of note in St. Pancras in terms of beer is Sourced, which is down on the lower level. It's a deli which carries bottles from most of the better London breweries.

http://www.sourcedmarket.com/

 

This thread brought back memories of being a student in London in 1974 when the IC Chemistry Society organised a trip to Fuller's brewery. Unfortunately half the contingent didn't turn up which was embarrassing since Fuller's had pushed the boat out for us. I recollect (I don't know how!) that we finished the food but failed to finish the beer that had been provided. A pin of ESB of course. In 1974 Fuller's and Youngs were the local beers worth drinking, head and shoulders above the rest.

 

My dad still reminisces about him and his friends taking detours (like, 20 mile detours) on their fishing outings just to incorporate a few pints of something like Marstons Pedigree, or any other decently made cask ale.