Craft cider takes centre stage across three neighbourhoods
Ealing drinkers will have a broad selection of craft ciders to explore as three Wetherspoon pubs in the borough prepare for a 10‑day festival. The Red Lion & Pineapple on Acton High Street, The Sir Michael Balcon in The Mall, Ealing, and The Greenwood Hotel on Whitton Avenue West in Northolt are all taking part. The event runs from Friday, 31 July through to Sunday, 9 August, giving residents two full weekends and the week in between to sample what is on offer.
Pints will be priced at £2.99, with a taster option of three third‑pints available for the cost of a single pint. The line‑up spans producers from around the UK, bringing a mix of traditional apple blends and fruit‑forward styles into one borough‑wide showcase.
"Friday, July 31 to Sunday, August 9"
Where to go and what’s pouring
| Pub | Location | Offer highlights |
|---|---|---|
| The Red Lion & Pineapple | Acton High Street, Acton | £2.99 pints; taster trio |
| The Sir Michael Balcon | The Mall, Ealing | £2.99 pints; taster trio |
| The Greenwood Hotel | Whitton Avenue West, Northolt | £2.99 pints; taster trio |
The festival list is designed to give casual drinkers and seasoned cider fans something new to try. Names confirmed include brightly flavoured and heritage‑style ciders drawn from different parts of the country. Expect fruity notes alongside more tannic, farmhouse character depending on the pour.
- Farmer Jim’s Prickly Pear
- Heck’s Slack‑Ma‑Girdle
- Purbeck Dandy Dab
- Rich’s Sunset Gold
- Thistly Cross Jaggy Thistle
- Harry’s Scrummage
- Pulp Razzberry Rush
What Ealing residents can expect
With three participating venues spread across Acton, Ealing Broadway and Northolt, the event is set up for easy access by bus or on foot for most parts of the borough. The pricing is pitched to encourage tasting different styles, and the three‑thirds flight offers a straightforward way to compare sweeter fruit ciders with drier, traditional blends without committing to full pints.
For town centres, the festival period often means a little more early‑evening footfall as people meet after work or at the weekend to try new drinks. In Ealing, that is likely to translate into a steady buzz around The Mall, Acton High Street and the Northolt stretch of Whitton Avenue West, where the participating pubs sit among local shops and bus routes. If you are planning a visit at peak times, a short wait at the bar is possible, particularly on the two Fridays and Saturdays that bookend the festival run.
Planning your visit
Each pub will pour the festival ciders alongside its usual range. If you are keen on a specific label from the list, it is worth arriving earlier in the run rather than later to avoid disappointment should a popular barrel run dry. The taster option is useful if you are undecided: three smaller servings for the cost of a pint lets you find a favourite before settling in.
Getting between the three venues is simple with regular buses along Uxbridge Road and routes linking Acton, Ealing Broadway and Northolt. As ever, consider public transport if you plan to sample. For families or mixed groups, the pubs’ daytime atmosphere is typically relaxed; it tends to get livelier into the evening, especially at weekends.
Why it matters locally
Festivals like this are a reminder of the borough’s varied hospitality scene, from Acton’s high street through Ealing’s shopping spine to Northolt’s local hub. Bringing in a curated set of ciders gives regulars something new while drawing in occasional visitors, which can spill over to neighbouring cafes and takeaways. With clear pricing and dates, it is a straightforward, low‑cost way for residents to try styles they may not have encountered before, whether that is a pear‑infused take or a classic bittersweet apple blend.
For those who like to pace themselves, the taster trio is the sensible route, and with three sites to choose from, most neighbourhoods are within reach. If you go, keep an eye on the chalkboards for what is on that day and ask for advice at the bar — staff will usually point you towards a dry, medium or sweet pour to suit your taste.
