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A day out on the Isle of Wight. Started off getting the ferry from Southampton to East Cowes, visiting “Lifecraft” bottle shop. Headed over next to Newport on the bus to visit “Newport Ale House”. Another bus journey over to Brading and a short walk out to “Wight Knuckle Brewery”. Finished on the Island in Sandown at “The Castle”. A train journey back from here back into Ryde and over on the ferry to Portsmouth. Managed a call in Swanwick to “The Gate Craft Bar”
Lifecraft
After jumping on the chain ferry/floating bridge from East Cowes over to West Cowes, I walked up to “Lifecraft”. This fantastic bottle shop opened in 2019 and stocks a fantastic range of local brewed ales in bottles, alongside a range of craft beers and other European beers. Was great chatting with owner Loe whilst here.
Managed to try a Vault City sour beer he had on draught, “Papaya Peach Sour”, and a local beer from Island Brewery based in Newport. A easy drinking, light blonde ale. And if you are peckish while choosing your beers, drop over the road to “The Lost Mill Bakery” for some amazing sandwiches and other fresh items.
The Ale House
Due to the opening hours I was not able to visit “The Ale House”, but offer a choice of 4 real ales alongside other choices. One for me on my next visit.
A regular bus runs from outside Marks & Spencers supermarket through to Newport Bus Station.
Newport Ale House
My visit here is to the “Newport Ale House”, a beautiful Grade II 19th century listed building, and has previously being a hairdressers, coffin storage for an undertakers and a posting house. The islands smallest pub and is accessed by a small staircase up to the pub. Great warm welcome today from Rod. Beautifully decorated inside and looks very traditional.
3 beers available from gravity today along side another 2 beers racked and ready to go on next. I started with “Jackdaw”, from Nottingham based Jacaranda Brewing Co, a small Nano Brewery. I went onto “Three Hogs” from Surrey based Hogs Back Brewery. Both delicious tasting ales.
Bumped into David and Nicola in here, responsible for running the Purbeck Pub Watch facebook page, but former owners of The Wight Bear and Saxon Bar in Bournemouth/Christchurch.
A bus next to Brading (around an hour away).
Wight Knuckle Brewery
A walk out of Brading itself brings me to a small industrial estate where “Wight Knuckle Brewery” are based. They used to brew at “The Pilot” in Bembridge but have recently moved the brewery to these new premises to increase production. Their beers can still be found at The Pilot. The brewery started up in 2021. A nice warm welcome here from Head Brewer Ben, Abbie, Freya, Joe and Daz. A tour around the brewery which looks great and they had been brewing today.
Ben took me through samples of the beers that they brew starting with “Wight Light”, a delicious light and easy drinking pale ale. Went onto “Faux Lager”, a slightly hazy crisp lager. Next was “IPA”, a tasty IPA full of flavour. An interesting one next, “Black IPA”, one of those beers you automatically taste with your eyes and always surprises you. A delicious dark and hoppy beer. Lastly was “Pale Ale”, a SIBA award winner, a light and refreshing pale ale. Some great beers here!
A lift back down into Brading and down to the Railway Station
Castle Inn
A short train ride from Brading to Sandown (the line runs from Ryde Pier Head to Shanklin), and a 5 minute walk brings to me to the “Castle Inn”. A excellent freehouse in the town and very much a locals pub. Very traditional inside and a beautiful beer garder out to the rear. A lovely welcome from behind the bar when I arrived.
A choice of 6 real ales on the bar, and great to see a number being from local Island breweries “Goddards” and “Yates”. I started with “Ale of Wight” from Goddards who are based in Ryde. A tasty and hoppy blonde ale. Second beer was “Sea Dog” from Yates Brewery based in Sandown itself. A light and refreshing pale ale.
Headed back on the train from Sandown to Ryde Pier Head to catch the ferry back over to Portsmouth. This connects directly with Portsmouth Harbour station, where I boarded a train to Swanwick.
The Gate Craft Bar
A short 5 minute walk from the railway station brings me to “The Gate Craft Bar”, a warm welcome here from Graeme. This Micropub opened in November 2019. A fantastic one room bar, full of character and very welcoming. A group from the bar have just completed a charity bike ride raising over £18,000, fantastic amount raised.
A selection of 3 cask beers, alongside a great choice of keg beers to choose from in here. Covering a wide range of styles. Started with “Orbital” from Salisbury based Dark Revolution Brewery. A juicy and delicious session pale ale. I went onto. “Attribute: Constitution” from Camberley based Disruption is Brewing. A tasty and juicy New England IPA, with some great flavours and some citrus flavours coming through.
Micropub Adventures 