#141 | Our role in platforming independent beer – The Brook, Brentford

Brewers Journal Podcast

How much do you know about your local and the people that run it. Why they do what they do. What they enjoy about this profession. What they enjoy….less so.

Be it core classics or specials and seasonals, the independent on-trade is essential in offering a platform to countless brewery’s beers. And for patrons and producers in West London, they’re fortunate to have a brilliant pub that does just that.

Run by husband and wife duo Tim and Tosh, alongside canine companion Dexter, The Brook is part of the rich beer and brewing fabric of Brentford. After running a wealth of London’s best-known pubs, giving a boost and a stage to excellent, independent, beer is a huge part of their raison d’être.

The Brook was founded as ‘The Royal Oak’ beer house in 1787 and it was originally a standard corner property, later expanded into properties in New Road. It belonged to the Royal Brewery of Brentford.

The Royal Oak was licensed as a public house by 1894 and it was built in its present form in that year 1894, possibly being partially rebuilt in the 1920s. ​

The Strawberry House beer house was established by 1871 at 33 New Road where a member of the Gomm family (the brewers) was noted as a beer seller there. It was probably named after the large area of market gardens that used to exist in the area between Brook Road and Ealing Road.

One of the market gardeners, Thomas William Beach, founded a jam factory in Brentford and he won awards for his strawberries at the Great Exhibition in 1851.

The beer house was closed after 1896 by which time it was known as The Patriot. ​ Licensees of The Royal Oak included John Carter (1869), Richard Lewis (1870), Elizabeth Gardner (1894), Boaz Stallwood (1901) and Albert Coles (1914-1937). Stan Johnson was the landlord of The Royal Oak until 1960.

By 1957 Stan had decided that he would become a publican and he moved to The Royal Oak after completing his training at The City Barge at Strand on the Green. In 1960 Stan and his wife moved to the Midlands, first in Walsall and then in Bridgnorth. ​

The Royal Oak was closed for some time and re-opened as ‘The Brook’ in June 2019 with Tim and Tosh Rider as the owners.

Tim explains: “My introduction to the pub trade was Godolphin’s just near Brentford Lock in 1989. My stint there made me realise I had a genuine love for the hospitality pub trade…so, thank you Brentford for that! I joined Whitbread soon after becoming the manager of The King’s Head in Chiswell Street near the Barbican Center.

“I met Tosh in The Blue Posts, in Soho, 20+ years ago. We married in 2002 when we were both running Bar Mosko in Holborn, then we spent 10 years at The Tabard in Chiswick followed by 2 years at the Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese in Fleet Street. Between the two of us we have gained strong links and experience within the pub industry.

“We took the lease on for The Royal Oak in Brentford in March 2019 and the pub showed real promise plus a chance for both of us to finally put down some roots. The Royal Oak needed some love so after 3 months of getting the pub back into some order, we changed the name to ‘The Brook’…it was time for a fresh start.

“We are immensely proud of The Brook, how it looks and we are committed to becoming the local “village pub” in Brentford. So come and relax with our great selection of craft ales/beers, great wines, spirits and good food alongside good company and an extensive selection of vinyl and digital music!”

In this episode we speak to Tim about the joys, and challenges, of running an independent pub, the importance of connecting with the community, operating in an area synonymous with football but not being defined by it, and the duo’s love of pouring brilliant beers from the UK’s best.