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Started today in Bridport visiting “Palmers Brewery” for a tour around with their Sales Manager and Head Brewer before some tasters back at their Wine Store. Headed into Bridport itself after calling into “The Colmer”, “The Woodman”, “The Tiger Inn”, “The Pursuit of Hoppiness” and “The Ropemakers”. Headed over to Weymouth on the bus via the scenic Jurassic coast visiting “The Rock”, “The Dolphin Hotel” and “The Doghouse Micropub”. Called into New Milton on the train home to visit “The Hourglass” Micropub.
Bridport
Palmers Brewery
Started the day at “Palmers Brewery”. Brewing started at the site in 1794 by Samuel Grundy, and after several changes of owners, it was taken over in 1896 by John Cleeves and Robert Henry Palmer, and Bob Palmer becoming sole owner in 1935. In 2024 the brewery celebrates 230 continuous brewing on the site and being the only thatched brewery in the UK.
Met up with Darren Batten (Head Brewer) and Josh Palmer Ramus (Head of Sales) alongside Franki for a tour of the brewery. It is great to see a brewery still using traditional methods when brewing rather than using newer technology. Started at the top with the malt, down to the mill. The mill has now been replaced by a newer style of mill but the old one still exists to show what it looked and worked like.
Onto the mash tun which combines the milled grain with water and heats it. Then the wort (the liquid containing the sugar extracted during mashing) is separated from the grains.
This is then transferred into the boil kettle (one not to get near), this ensures it being sterile and where hops are added. It is then transferred into a whirlpool and onto a hopback where it is cooled ready to be fermented. River water was originally used to cool the wort, the unit was decommissioned in 2004 but still remains as a historic piece.
After the wort has been cooled and aerated yeast is added to it and it starts to ferment. Palmers use their own strain of yeast so the beers remain the same every time. The beer will then condition which settles the yeast and causes proteins to coagulate and settle out with the yeast.
The beer here is either bottled or put into casks/kegs using the equipment outside in the yard.
Went to see the waterwheel, located on the River Brit which was installed in 1879 and was forged in Bridport by Thomas Helyer. It now turns as part of the history of the brewery but no longer takes water for use in the brewery.
Headed back into Palmers Wine Store which opened its doors in 2985. Here I sampled a number of Palmers Brewery beers. Started with “IPA”, first brewed in 1953. A traditional IPA with some delicious hop flavours coming through. Next was “Dorset Gold” which was first brewed in 2000, a fruity and lightly hopped premium pale ale. “200” was next to try, first brewed in 1994 for their bicentenary. A great blend of malt, hops and fruitiness. “Tally-Ho” was first brewer in 1949, a fab dark, strong and nutty beer, some great flavours from this. Their “Dorset Pale” is their first keg beer, a light and refreshing session IPA.
Some great beers here and a great tour around packed with history and lots of interesting facts while going around. A photo of myself, Josh and Darren in front of the brewery building.
The Colmer
A short walk into Bridport to visit a few pubs, the first being “The Colmer” which has only recently opened at the start of May., named after local landmark “Colmers Hill”. A great warm welcome from owner Nicole and Sam behind the bar. A beautiful pub, nicely decorated inside and a small seating area out at the front.
2 cask beers served from gravity here today, Fullers London Pride and Butcombes Rare Breed, alongside a number of keg beers. I went with “Rate Breed” from Bristol based Butcombe Brewing Co. A delicious clean, easy drinking pale ale.
The Woodman
My next call is to “The Woodman”, located on the main street where the market is located every Wednesday and Saturday. A really welcoming pub with seating outside at the front of the pub and at the rear. Nice warm welcome from Daz and a group from West Dorset CAMRA.
A great selection of 4 cask beers alongside a few keg beers to choose from. I started with the new “Jaipur Noir” from Derbyshire based Thornbridge Brewery. A Black version of their well known Jaipur, some great flavours in this beer. I went onto “Gorge Best” from Somerset based Cheddar Ales. A great traditional English Bitter full of flavour.
The Tiger Inn
A short walk brings me next to “The Tiger Inn”. A beautiful Victorian pub located just off the high street. The bar area inside decorated with hops and a relaxing atmosphere. A great large beer garden area out at the back. A warm welcome from Lynn behind the bar today.
A fantastic line up of six real ales on the bar today ranging in styles. I started with “County Best” from Exeter Brewery, an ESB (Extra Strong Bitter), a delicious rich and malty sweet beer. I went onto “Branoc” from Devon based Branscombe Brewery, a light and easy drinking English Bitter.
The Pursuit of Hoppiness
A short walk back down the High Street brings me to “The Pursuit of Hoppiness”, a great Micropub which I have visited a long time ago when I was in the area. Inside accommodates around 24 people with the seating area at the front outside allowing around the same amount. Great looking Micropub with seating around the outside. Warm welcome in here from Harrison.
A great line up of 6 cask ales alongside a few keg beer selections to choose from. I went with “Red Mild” from Stroud based Fresh Standard Brew Co. A great warming and hearty drink, and a style not too often seen.
The Ropemakers
Over the road brings me to “The Ropemakers”, a Palmers Brewery tied house. Spacious, homely and very traditional inside and looks really great. Also includes a large beer garden to the rear of the pub. Lots of different seating areas inside and out. A lovely warm welcome from Geraldine and the team today.
This pub offers a full Palmers Brewery cask beer range so 6 cask beers, alongside First Press Cider. Two of the beers I hadn’t yet had so started with “Copper”, a delicious light, hoppy and fruity Bitter. I next went for their seasonal special “Bridport Bitter”, a tasty and refreshing bitter packed full of flavour.
From here I caught the bus onto Weymouth via the amazingly scenic Jurassic Coast with some spectacular views on the way.
Weymouth
The Rock
Jumped off the bus just outside the centre of Weymouth and dropped into “The Rock”, which has recently changed at Easter to being a wet led pub. A bright and spacious pub inside and suntrap outside at the back with a lovely area for enjoying the sun.
A choice of 3 cask beers available on the bar. I went with “Legend” from Devon based Dartmoor Brewery. A delicious smooth and crisp Extra Strong Bitter, very easy drinking.
The Dolphin Hotel
Located near the Railway Station is “The Dolphin Hotel”, a Hopback Brewery pub who are based in Salisbury. A great looking pub from the outside and the inside is just as good. Split into three rooms. A fantastic warm welcome from Louise behind the bar this evening.
A choice of 4 cask beers on the bar all being from Hopback Brewery. I went with “Dragonfly”, one of their beers I havent had in the past. A light, easy drinking and tasty pale ale full of flavour.
The Doghouse Micropub
My final call in Weymouth is to “The Doghouse Micropub”, located a few minutes walk further away from the Railway Station. Seating at the front as you enter, winding round to the bar being at the rear with beers served from a temperature controlled room. Great warm welcome from recently new owners Jean and Jen. Was great catching up with local James as well.
A great selection of 7 cask beers to choose from in here ranging in styles and strengths. I went with “The Thirst Amendment” from Southend-on-Sea based Leigh-on-Sea Brewery. A tasty American style IPA hopped using 5 different hops. Really tasty.
New Milton
The Hourglass
My final call of the day was a stop off on the train at New Milton whilst heading back. Less than a minutes walk away from the train station is “The Hourglass Micropub” which opened in December 2017. A fantastic one room Micropub that I visited whilst down here last year. Seating at the front with the bar at the rear. Warm welcome from Stu and the team in here.
A great line up of 3 cask beers and 8 keg beers to choose from. Lots of choice. Managed 3 drinks here between trains. Started with “Tiger Tom Ruby Mild” from Dorset based Cerne Abbas brewery. A delicious cask mild ale. A couple of keg beers next starting with “Parade” from East Sussex based Beak Brewery. A hazy IPA full of flavour. Finished with “Bouquet” from Flintshire based Polly’s Brew Co, a delicious, crisp and well balanced pale ale.
Micropub Adventures 