21/06/23 – Gosport, Portchester, Swanwick and Southampton

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A day out starting with a morning in Gosport with the amazing guys at Powder Monkey Brewing Co, dropping over to Seafire Tap in Lee-on-the-Solent, before heading to a few bars in Gosport. Headed back via Portchester and Swanwick to visit two Micropubs before finishing with Good Libations and Belgium & Blues in Southampton.

Powder Monkey Brewing Co

After getting the train down to Portsmouth Harbour, nest was a quick crossing on the ferry to Gosport.

Marcus from Powder Monkey Brewing Co picked me up here and the first call was to the Brewery. What an amazing place, located inside an old Gunpowder Magazine at Priddy’s Hard. Near all of the original features bave been kept including the hoist for lifting and the central area.

The name of the brewery also reflects the history of this building. “Powder Monkey” – “a boy employed on a sailing warship to carry powder to the guns.”. The brewery setup us located in the next room to where the bar and events space is, to which they have already expanded from their original setup.

Was great to chat to head brewer Mark again, who id seen at Ilkley earlier in the year, someone who is so passionate about the beers that they brew. Tried a few beers while here including a new beer “Veterans Can”, a delicious red ale aswell as the collaboration with Bayonet Brewing, a tasty West Coast IPA.

Brewery Tap

Just around the corner from the brewery is their brewery tap, a large bar and kitchen located next to the sea and next door to “Explosion – Museum of Naval Firepower”.

Nick and the team here have a great setup here, with lots of beers on the bar to choose from. I went with “Bubbleheads”, a tasty Brut IPA.

Some great views from the beer garden to the side of the building overlooking Portsmouth and its military boats around the dock.

A huge thankyou to Marcus, Mark, Jim, Elliot, Nick and everyone else at Powder Monkey for the amazing day (and getting me to the next 2 venues)

Seafire Taproom

A relatively new bar which opened Easter weekend this year in Lee-on-the-Solent on the high street. “Seafire” is a Supermarine, with the area being well known for the Royal Navy, and Supermarine Seafire being the navy’s version of the Spitfire.

A great high street location and sun trap at the front. 8 keg taps alongside a couple of cask beers to choose from here.

Started here with “Other Beings that Wander”, a great sour from Portsmouth based Makemake and finished with “BBQ” from Powder Monkey Brewing Co.

Junction Tavern

Back in Gosport now and my first call was to “Junction Tavern”. A winner of several local CAMRA awards and well known for its real ale. Deana took over a number of years ago and introduced real ale to the pub and hosts a successful beer festival over the Easter weekend every year.

A choice of 3 real ales on the bar here (Pale, Bitter and Dark), a selection that covers anyone. I went with “Best” from Vale of Glamorgan Brewery. A really delicious bitter.

Katies Vinyl Bar & Kitchen

Up to the main high street in Gosport next. My first call here was to “Katies Vinyl Bar & Kitchen”. A fantastic music themed cafe bar.

A number of keg beers available here including a couple from Powder Monkey Brewing Co. I went with “Explosion IPA”, a refreshing American IPA.

33 Green Bottles

Onto a bar and bottleshop next. Vic and Carla moved here in 2020 from Stubbington for larger premises. A lovely split pub with lots of seating surrounded by bottles /cans to takeaway.

A number of keg beers, alongside a cask beer were available on the bar. I started with their house lager followed by “Planet Porpoise” from Phantom Brewing Co in Reading. A tasty hazy IPA.

Four-Ale Taproom

My last call in Gosport was to the “Four-Ale Taproom” which was Gosports first Micropub in June 2018. A really warm welcome in here!

A choice of 4 cask beers all gravity served aswell as 6 keg lines to choose from. Some really interesting and different beers.

I started with a mild beer from Triple fff Brewery in Alton. Hampshire “Pressed Rat & Warthog”, before moving onto a Vault City sour “Caught in the Rain”, a summer Pina Colada sour.

The Portcullis Taphouse

A train journey heading back towards Southampton and getting off at Portchester. This micropub opened in December 2021. A short 5/6 minutes walk from the Railway Station.

A really good choice of beers here with 3 cask beers and 6 keg beers to decide from. I went with “Hey Saturday Sun”, a sour beer from local Vibrant Forest Brewery. A great tart Strawberry and Lemon sour.

The Gate Craft Bar

Back on the train again, this time to Swanwick. A short 5 minute walk from the railway station brings me to “The Gate Craft Bar”, a warm welcome here from Graeme and Izzy. This Micropub opened in November 2019.

A brilliant choice of 3 cask and 8 leg beers here to choose from with a range of different styles. I went with “Pupa” from Vibrant Forest, a delicious hazy pale ale.

Good Libations

Back to Southampton for the last 2 bars of the day. The first one being “Good Libations”, a few doors down from Boards & Boards which id visited last night. A trendy and busy bottle shop and tasting room. They had a beer launch tonight from Elusive Brewery (I visited in July 2022), with a collaboration “California Games”. A tasty hoppy citrus pale ale.

Was great to have a chat with Andy from Elusive while he was here. A choice of 6 leg and a cask beer on tonight. My second choice being a beer from Makemake, “Pizza Planet”, a delicious hazy IPA.

Belgium & Blues

My very last call of the day was to “Belgium & Blues”. A brilliant Belgian themed downstairs cellar bar, with a couple of tables upstairs on street level outside. Was great to chat with manager Owen in here.

Had 3 beers here from their wide selection of 17 keg beers and 3 cask beers. I started with “Guavanaut” from Scottish based Holy Goat Brewery, moved onto “Peach Ice Tea Table Sour” from Vault City, both on keg. I finished with “Cosmic Galaxy IPA” from Brewers Folly Brewery based im Wimborne, Dorset.