Vibrant Forest Brewery

I started off the day over in the New Forest to visit “Vibrant Forest Brewery”. The brewery was started back in 2011 brewing in a garage, moving into different premises and eventually moving into the current location with a great brewery setup alongside a taproom. Was great to meet Elliot (tap room manager), Donna (sales manager) and John (head brewer) this morning and a tour around the brewery from Elliot.

Their taproom is a huge indoor and outdoor space and opens Thursday through to Saturday. Often hosts markets and food trucks. I would definitely recommend visiting.

The taproom today has a range of 9 keg beers, 1 cask beer and a cider, alongside a fridge full of cans to either drink in or takeaway. I tried a couple of their sour beers here starting with “Wide Open Space”, a fresh, tart and refreshing cucumber and mint sour beer, with the cucumber flavour really coming through. Secondly was “Grizzly Pear”, a fruity Gooseberry and Pear gose. Packed full of flavour.

Hythe Pier Railway & Ferry

From the brewery I took the bus to Hythe, where the little pier railway carries passengers towards the ferry. The railway opened in 1922, and the crossing back over Southampton Water was a memorable part of the journey.

Dancing Man Brewery

A short walk from the Hythe Ferry Terminal brings me to my next call, the “Dancing Man Brewery”. 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 (with brewing taking place today).

Tried a couple of beers here starting with “Limes Against Humanity”, a delicious pale ale brewed using Asian lime leaves and very heavily dry hopped. I went onto “Bone Dry”, a fantastic session IPA, really crisp and fresh.

Some great food here also, managed to grab one of the “Italian Job” sandwiches which was delicious and packed full. Can highly recommend the food here.

Platform Tavern

A short walk down the road brings me next to the “Platform Tavern”. The name refers to a nearby gun platform dating from the Napoleonic era. On the front is a blue plaque for James McGrady, a first-class steward who lived here and lost his life on the Titanic. A really quirky bar inside with some great stone floors and features around doorways.

A line up of 4 cask beers on the bar in here alongside a number of keg beers. I went with a beer from Romsey based Bat Country Brew Co, “Open Face” was a great session beer, full of citrus notes and full of flavour.

Olaf’s Tun

A short bus ride towards Woolston to visit “Olaf’s Tun”. This bar was converted from a shop in 2016, and remodelled in 2020 when the bar was sold. A great warm welcome from Maz behind the bar and a great homely, relaxing feel to the place, light and airy with lots of character making it unique.

A great line up of 6 cask ales and 10 keg beers to choose from in here. I started with “Bloom Landing” from Bath based Electric Bear Brewing Co. A perfect match for the warm weather, a pink lemonade sour. I went onto “So.LA”, from Salisbury based Dark Revolution. A tasty West Coast Pale, very easy drinking and full of flavour.

Belgium & Blues

A bus into the centre of Southampton next to visit “Belgium & Blues”. A brilliant Belgian-themed downstairs cellar bar, with a couple of tables upstairs and out on the street at the front. This place looks amazing downstairs, well done out and different to most places you visit. Was great to chat to manager Owen in here

I will go as far as saying this is probably the best Belgian Beer selection I have ever seen on draught and definitely worth a visit if you enjoy that style of beer, including Cantillon, Zot Blonde, Chouffe and lots more. I went with a sour beer from Somerset based Yonder Brewing “Triple Citrus Popsicle” was a Lemon, Lime and Orange melted ice lolly sour, some great flavours combined here.

Beards & Boards

A short walk to Bedford Place brings me next 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 catch up with Manager Matt in here today.

A great line up of 10 keg beers and 4 cask beers to choose from alongside a number of ciders. I started with “Leander” from Dalkeith based Otherword Brewing. A tart and sour that has been dry hopped and finished with fresh orange zest. I went onto having “Fruition” from Dundee based 71 Brewing. A delicious Apple Crumble Sour.

Bottle & Stoat

A few doors down brings me to “Bottle & Stoat”. This was Good Libations when I visited last year. It opened as the “Bottle & Stoat” at the end of January 2024 with the same owners as Olafs Tun I visited earlier. A great one roomed Micropub with ample seating alongside a few seats outside at the front. Was great chatting with Dave behind the bar and Alex in here.

A great line up of 5 cask beers, 10 keg beers, a still cider and a great choice of cans and bottles. I went with “C’est Pastore” from Cambridgeshire based Pastore Blending and Brewing. A French daiquiri-inspired sour beer made with pineapples, raspberries, blackberries and lime juice, really tasty.

Overdraft – Bedford Place

A short walk around the corner brings me to “Overdraft”, housed in a mid 19th Century Grade II listed building. This opened at the start of December 2023. Specialises in Tacos alongside craft beer. Nicely done out inside with seating all the way around the bar, with added seating outside. Great warm welcome from the team behind the bar.

A great line up of 16 keg beer lines and 4 ciders to choose from in here so lots of choice. I went with “Blueberry Muffin Sour” from New Bristol Brewery. Their description describes this beer perfectly, “Lashings of blueberries, pastry and vanilla resting on just the right amount of tartness to tease your taste buds. Blueberry vanilla heaven!”. Enjoyed this sat outside in the sun.

Raven & Bine

Next call is onto a new pub which officially opens the following day. From the same people who run “Dancing Man” which I visited earlier today, this new pub was formerly a pub known as The Smugglers (thanks Jamie for getting me in for the launch night). It has had a huge facelift which looks amazing both inside and out. The outside area at the rear looks beautiful with heaters set up for the cooler months along with lots of space.

Managed to have a chat again with Owen (Belgium & Blues, Donna (Vibrant Forest), Jamie (Head Brewer) and Josh (Bar Manager), and also assistant brewer John. Bumped into owner Aidan as well later on who I met last year for a look around the Dancing Man Brewery.

A splendid line up of 4 cask lines and lots of keg lines to choose from in here. You certainly will not be stuck for choice. Started with “Bone Dry”, which I had earlier in the day at Dancing Man, and went onto “Stove Pipe Stout” which Jamie recommended. A delicious cask conditioned English Stout and packed full of flavour!

Craft 101 @ The Hub

A short 15 minute walk brings me to the Shirley area of Southampton. I visited here last year but a couple of additions/changes. My first call is to “Craft 101”. This opened in November 2023 in a former cycle shop (The Hub). A fantastic Victorian style canopy over the front and side, and inside a huge space with high ceilings making the inside look even bigger. Also is home to a shuffleboard table. Great warm welcome here from Glenn, was great chatting to him here.

A great line up of 10 keg lines, 2 cask, 3 ciders and a great choice of cans and bottles. I went with “Midnight Disco”, a collaboration beer between Scottish based Overtone Brewing Co and Floc based in Canterbury. A delicious hazy IPA brewed using 4 different hops. Some great fresh and juicy flavours from this beer.

The Witch’s Brew

My next call is to “The Witch’s Brew” small micropub run by Mary. A couple of rooms alongside a lovely outside area with a gazebo covering part of it. The toilet wall outside is a must see feature and really stands out. A great warm welcome from Sam behind the bar today.

All the beers are served from Gravity and unlike most Micropubs they are served from Pins instead of Firkins. This allows a larger selection of beers to be available at any time (6 today), so covering most peoples tastes. A craft lager on keg has also recently been added to the selection. I went with “Perridge Pale” from local Cheriton brewery, The Flower Pots Brewery. A really easy drinking session pale ale.

Clockwork

My next call today was a short walk and on the same road is to “Clockwork”. A small one roomed bar which opened in 2018. This is under new ownership since my visit last year and had a great warm welcome today. A large one roomed pub which is nicely decorated inside, alongside a large outside area to the front. Looks to be a popular pub.

A line up of 6 keg beers, 3 cask beers and a number of ciders to choose from today. I went with “Shooting Star Presse” from Southampton based Unity Brewing Co. A delicious Hard Lemonade IPA packed full of taste and very refreshing.

Overdraft – Shirley

My final call today was to “Overdraft”, another short walk to. A place I first visited in 2016 for a Tiny Rebel Tap Takeover event. It has an on site kitchen as well serving tacos. Seating outside at the front here with ample seating inside and a very traditional style look to the place. A nice warm welcome from behind the bar this evening.

A great selection of 11 keg beers, 2 cask beers and a good choice of ciders. I went with “Magus”, a collaboration beer between Reading based Phantom Brewing Co and Little Monster Brewing Co based in Colchester. A great sour pale ale flavoured with Yuzu. Packed full of flavour.

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. There were lots of books around the seating area, not surprising as it was converted from a former bookshop in 2016.

A great line up of 4 cask beers, 4 keg beers and a range of ciders. I started with “Pressed Rat & Warthog” from Alton based Triple fff Brewery. A delicious mild ale, lovely ruby colour. I went onto “Double Back” from Buxton Brewery. An easy-drinking, light and refreshing session pale ale.

Butcher’s Hook

My next visit is to the “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 old tiling and butchers’ rails were still in place on my visit. Was great to bump into and have a chat with owner Ant whilst in here.

A choice of 2 cask and 8 keg on the bar this evening. Started with “Rhubarb Reverie” from Duration Brewing based in Norfolk. A delicious fruit Lambic with some awesome flavours coming through. I went onto “Grade Levels” from Flintshire based Polly’s Brew Co. A very easy drinking, light and refreshing pale ale.

Steel Tank Alehouse

On Monday I visited “Steel Tank Alehouse”, a short ride on the train from Southampton via Eastleigh. This was a former bank unit. A great welcome from Adam and a very busy place both inside and out. Loving the wooden feel around the Micropub. Was great to catch up with Marcus (now working for Unity, but met at Powder Monkey last year).

A great line up of 5 cask ales and a large range of keg beers to choose from today. Had a few here starting with “Mosaic” from Portsmouth based Urban Island Brewing Co. A huge hoppy beer with some great tropical flavours coming through. Onto “Raspberry Ripple Sour” from Reading based Double-Barrelled Brewery. A great kettle sour packed full of raspberry and vanilla. Finished with “Goodens Gold” from local brewery Flower Pots Brewery. An easy-drinking and sessionable blonde ale.

Steam Town Brew Co

On Monday I also visited “Steam Town Brew Co”. 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. I visited here last year with David showing me around CLICK HERE for lots more photos. Liam the manager was on the bar today and a great warm welcome.

A great line up of beers having 4 cask ales, 8 of their own keg beers and 7 guests so lots to choose from. Worked my way through their own beers during the evening.

The food menu here is amazing also. Well worth a visit just for this. My food choice is shown below.