20/06/23 – Southampton and Hythe

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A day around Southampton starting off with the Dancing Man Brewery, over to Hythe on the ferry for the Dusty Barrel before finishing in Southampton with Olafs Tun, Butchers Hook, Bookshop Alehouse and lastly Beards & Boards.

Dancing Man Brewery

My first call of the day today is to the “Dancing Man Brewery” situated close to the ferry terminal in Southampton. Located in a 14th Century Grade 1 listed building which had a former use as “The Wool House”, storing wool before it was exported.

The staircase in the middle of the pub as you enter looks amazing, with lots of woodwork around the place.

A fantastic selection of both cask and keg beers which are brewed onsite ranging in styles and strengths.

Tried a few different beers here. Started with “Haunted by Simcoe/HBC 586” on Cask followed by “Mi Amoga Phantasma” a Pale Ale, “Limes against Humanity”, a Lime Leaf Pale Ale and “Vagrant” a Pale Ale all on Keg.

A massive thankyou to Aidan who kindly showed me around the brewery setup (so unusual to see all the tanks named), went through some history of the brewery and the range of beers, including trying “Clawhammer IPA” a tasty American IPA.

Hythe Ferry

The next point of call was over in Hythe. The quickest way to get over is to use the ferry (with an added twist). When you get over to Hythe Pier you have to board a train to get down to Hythe itself. This opened in 1922 and is the worlds oldest pier railway in continuous service in the world.

The Dusty Barrel

My call in Hythe was to “The Dusty Barrel. A Micropub located in a small shopping precinct. Nicely having the front of the pub and the inside done out in wood.

A great warm welcome from Manager Tom in here who was great ti chat to and very knowledgeable about beer. A choice of 4 cask beers and 8 keg beers here to choose from.

Started with a sour beer from Birmingham based Sommar Brewery. “Guava POP”, followed by “Mr DNA IPA” from Portsmouth based Staggeringly Good. Had a sample of “Stone Sap” from nearby Vibrant Forest Brewery, a tasty 6.8% Hazy IPA.

Olaf’s Tun

Heading back to Southampton from Hythe, so the ferry back over and bus ride towards Woolston to visit “Olaf’s Tun”. This bar was converted from a shop in 2016, and remodelled in 2020 when the bat was sold.

Another great selection of beers to choose from in here. 5 cask beers and 8 keg beers. I started with “Pineapple Cheeseburger Chaser” from Exmoor Ales, followed by “Perridge Pale” from Flower Pots Brewery, locally brewer in Cheriton.

Finished with a keg beer from Arundel Brewery. “Oh Sh*t” was a tart and refreshing Plum and Raspberry sour.

Butcher’s Hook

A short train journey to St Denys and a 15 minute walk brings me to “Butcher’s Hook”. This Micropub opened in 2014 and was converted from a shop, formerly a Butchers Shop, Art Supplies Shop and a Florist. The original tiling and butchers rails still in place.

Lots of great beer choices again here. 2 cask beers (gravity served) alongside 8 keg beers. I went with “Weighed Down the Earth” a deliciously tart Raspberry, Blackbery and Wildflower Honey and Vanilla Sour from Makemake Brewery in Portsmouth at 10%.

The Bookshop Alehouse

Onto the other side of St Denys Railway Station so around a 25 minute walk brings me to “The Bookshop Alehouse”. My second visit to this bar and a warm welcome from John. lots of books around the seating area in here, not surprising as it was converted from a former bookshop in 2016.

Some great beers to choose from in here, 4 cask beers and 4 keg beers. I started with keg beer “Strawberry Hillbillies” a Strawberry sour brewed as part of the Collabageddon 2022 project. Brewer between Jawbone Brewing and Pope’s Yard Brewing.

I moved onto a beer from Winchester based Alfred’s Brewery. “Purple Reign” an easy drinking tasty dark ruby ale.

Beards & Boards

My last call of the night was to “Beards & Boards”, a craft beer bar which opened in September 2019. The building used to be a Butchers, and has also been a Post Office and a Charity Shop. Great to chat to Manager Matt in here.

A fantastic choice of 9 keg beers and 3 cask beers, alongside a can selection. I started with “The Shallows” from Otherworld Brewery in Scotland, a Jamine Tea Sour. I finished with a Vault City can. “Apple, Rhubarb, Maple Pecan”