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A day starting off at Steam Town Brew Co in Eastleigh with its unique reclaimed railway items making up areas of the pub, before heading over to Botley. Two brewery taps here for Botley Brewery and Cracklerock Brewery, Botley Brewery having a unique feature for paddle boarders. Romsey next for Flack Manor Brewery Tap and the Cocky Anchor Micropub and finishing in Chandlers Ford with the popular Steel Tank Alehouse Micropub.
Steam Town Brew Co
My first call of the day was a quick journey from Southampton Central to Eastleigh. Eastleigh is a town famous for its Railway works. A quick walk over the railway bridge brings me to “Steam Town Brew Co”.
The bar itself first opened in late 2017 and brewing in February 2018. Was amazing to meet David this morning who is the head brewer to show me around the bar and brewery and try some of their beers. A great setup at the back of the pub supplying keg and cask beers (with some cask beers appearing elsewhere in the area)
The work that has gone into building this bar is amazing and a lot of items being reclaimed from the nearby railway works. Including the main bar being made out of s sandblasted Seacow (old railway ballast wagon), done in different stages from left to right, guards and railway doors being used for the upstairs bar and downstairs door, aswell as First Class seats for one side of the seating area and an original railway clock above the bar just to name a few.
Some great spacious seating areas both upstairs and downstairs giving a great industrial feel with the items dotted around and a throwback to Eastleighs Industrial history. (Even the toilets have made use of beer kegs)
Started working through some of the beers available on the bar both cask and keg (alongside some guest keg beers). Some great tasting beers brewed metres away from where I was stood. Really enjoyed the latest elderflower pale aswell, some great fragrant flavours in the beer!
They also serve food on the premises 7 days a week with a recently brand new menu, focussing on dirty burgers and similar items. I opted for the “Loaded Carriage Burger” 2 x 3oz smashed beef patties, American Cheese, Pulled Pork and their own Cheese Sauce (with fries). Well worth stopping for!
Hidden Tap / Botley Brewery
Brewer and owner Rob started this up as a brewery and in 2017 opened up the small building as “The Hidden Tap”, this is the right word for it as its hidden at the back of Botley Mills, built on reclaimed land with the river running either side of the mill.
A very popular venue with both people coming in for drinks, aswell as Paddle Boarders passing at High Tide on the river below. The wall has a bell that paddle boarders can ring to order a drink which is sent down to them in a box on a rope. Such a unique feature that I saw being used several times during my visit.
Certain evenings and weekends the bar offers food using fresh produce from “The Hidden Butcher” next door. Theres also a artisan pizza cafe, coffee toasters, wine bar and other interesting units within the mill. It was great for Rob to show me around his brewing setup next door to The Hidden Tap.
All beers here are gravity served. A choice of 6 beers (1 being a guest). I started with “English IPA”, onto “H.P.A” and finished with “Pommy Blonde”. All great tasting beers brewed metres away.
Cracklerock Tap Room
Another short 5 minute walk through Botley brings me to “Cracklerock Tap Room”. A tap room for the brewery located over the other side of the high street. The tap room opened in this current location in 2018. The building its in was a former bank.
A great choice of 9 cask beers and 7 keg beers. Out of the 9 cask beers 1 of them is a guest beer with the rest being brewed by Cracklerock, and 4 keg beers being their own.
They do a choice of tasting paddles either 4 or 6 beers, they both come with a small jar of snacks from the shelf packed with lots of choices. My paddle started with “Crackerjack”, Pale Ale, “Verified” American Pale Ale, “Fire Cracker”, Bitter and “Crackatoa”, IPA. Finished with one of their keg beers “Yonda”, a light tasty session pale.
One of the customers has even made a scale model of the tap room which looks amazing.
Flack Manor Brewery Tap
This time a train from Botley to Romsey with a change at Eastleigh. A short walk (10 mins) from Romsey station brings me to “Flack Manor Brewery Tap” located on a small industrial estate. A lively bustling outside area when I approached.
The brewery and bar are located in the same unit with the bar being at the back left and the brewing equipment to the right.
A choice of 4 cask beers and 4 keg beers available on the bar. I started with the “Pale Ale” on Keg followed by “Double Drop” on cask. Both great beers, the double drop had been recommended.
“The Tipsy Toastie!” was the food vendor next to the outside seating area. One of my favourites so had to go and get one. A delicious Chorizo and Smoked Cheese Toastie with a Prosecco Glaze. Delicious! Check these out if you see them anywhere.
Cocky Anchor
A walk down this time to Romsey centre, the other side of the railway station. This brings me to the “Cocky Anchor”, an early 18th century Grade II listed building which was originally one house (now split into 2), and has recently being converted into a Micropub. On walking in there are several items stuck to the ceiling and walls, makes it look really quirky.
Table service in here with a great wooden effect making it look really bright. 3 cask beers on today from nearby Flack Manor, a house ale and Hop Back Brewery. I went with “Summer Lightning” from Hop Back Brewery who are based in nearby Salisbury. A beer Ive had several times and is always good.
Steel Tank Alehouse
Last call of today is in Chandlers Ford, a short ride on the train from Romsey (heading back towards Eastleigh). This was a former shop unit previously a bank. A great welcome from Adam and a very busy place both inside and out. Loving the wooden feel around the Micropub.
A great range of 8 cask beers and 12 keg beers ranging in styles so something for everyone so choose from. I went with “Big Fruit Heist” from Double-Barrelled Brewery. A delicious kettle sour packed full of mango and passionfruit.
Micropub Adventures 