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Visited several Micropubs and Independent Pubs in Bristol, renowned for landmarks such as Brunel’s Clifton Suspension Bridge and Banksy’s Street Art, the city has also served as a pivotal location during the exploration of Europe and the establishment of trade networks in North America. Noteworthy attractions include the picturesque Wapping Wharf, now housing M Shed, and delightful boat tours along the River Avon with views of the SS Great Britain.
Visited Bristol last year covering a number of Brewery Taps and Brewery Pubs, several of these were visited again but not included below. CLICK HERE to read the full blog.
The Lime Kiln
The Lime Kiln is the first place I called today. It got its name from the nearby Lime Kiln Dock, which was filled in 1903. Inside, there’s a wonderful traditional ale house atmosphere with wooden tables and chairs and a lovely outdoor seating area at the front. Paul gave me a very warm welcome today.
The establishment specializes in offering cask and keg beers, with the cask beers being procured from various regions across the UK. Today, there was an impressive selection of 6 cask beers available at the bar. I opted for the “Real Smiler” from Clearwater Brewery in Devon. It proved to be a delightful summer beer, light in colour and full of flavour.
Bag of Nails
I arrive at my second destination, “The Bag of Nails,” situated in a Victorian terrace, after a brief stroll. Referred to as the Bag of Cats because of the 12 feline residents, beginning with Malcolm the stray and a female cat named Beresford. These cats are regulars at the pub, often spotted on the bar or roaming around. It is a distinctive establishment with a cosy seating area indoors (currently undergoing some renovations) and unique glowing portholes in the wooden floor. Roisin warmly greeted me from behind the bar this afternoon.
An impressive array of 6 cask beers, as well as a few ciders and 4 keg beers. There are a couple of unfamiliar local breweries for me to sample, beginning with “Fur Balls” from Ashley Down Brewery in Gloucestershire. This brewery offers a delightful and highly drinkable pale ale. Next up is “Bitter” from Uley Brewery, also based in Gloucestershire, which presents a classic English Bitter brimming with flavour.
Brewhouse and Kitchen – Bristol
Walking to the Clifton area of Bristol leads me to “Brewhouse and Kitchen – Bristol”, a well-known bar with a limited number of pubs, all brewing beers on-site. They provide a brewery experience day that is both cost-effective and educational. Established in March 2015, this bar is situated on the former site of the 18th Century Whiteladies Tavern. The interior is spacious and well-designed, with an outdoor beer garden which is located across the road from the pub.
There is a selection of 3 cask beers and 3 ciders available at the bar, as well as a wide variety of keg beers to choose from. I opted for “Bitter”, a delicious traditional English Bitter with excellent flavours.
The Good Measure
My initial stop in the Redland area of Bristol was at “The Good Measure”. This pub is the first establishment of the Good Chemistry Brewery in Bristol. It is a charming one-room pub, impeccably clean and spacious, with the bar located towards the back. Additionally, there is a delightful small beer garden outside. Aggers provided a warm welcome during my visit today.
Today at the bar, there are 4 cask ales available, 2 of which are their own brews and 2 are guest ales. Additionally, there is a choice of 8 keg lines offering a variety of styles. I opted for the “Gyle 600”, a delightful German-style gose with a tart and citrusy flavour profile.
The Red Monkey
I took a brief stroll up the street and arrived at “The Red Monkey”, formerly known as Chums, which I have frequented in the past. The illuminated sign inside still displays the old name. It reopened in May 2023, and initially served as Bristol’s second Micropub when it first opened in 2016. The interior boasts a fantastic traditional layout with comfortable bench seating along one wall. Today, I received a warm and friendly welcome from the owner, Chris.
An impressive selection of 5 cask ales are available, offering a variety of styles, in addition to a selection of keg and still ciders, as well as several local keg beers and lagers. My choice was the “Jester” from Butts Brewery in Somerset, a delightful traditional English Bitter that goes down smoothly.
The Drapers Arms
A trip by bus to the Horfield district of Bristol to explore “The Drapers Arms”. It became Bristol’s inaugural Micropub when it opened in December 2015. There is a wonderful outdoor seating area at the front, and the Micropub is conveniently situated right next to a bus stop, providing excellent transportation links. Inside, it has a very traditional appearance with bench seating around the perimeter and a central table, in keeping with the Micropub tradition. Tom gave me a very warm welcome this evening.
The establishment offers a variety of 6 cask ales, all dispensed through gravity. Additionally, they provide information on the distance of each brewery from the location, ranging from 3 to 17 miles. I opted for a new brewery, Lucifer Brewhouse, situated in Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire. Their “Big Dipper” amber bitter was a delightful and flavorful choice.
Snuffy Jack’s
I proceeded to the Fishponds region of Bristol to pay a visit to “Snuffy Jack’s”. This micropub is the third one in Bristol and it opened in the summer of 2017. The name is derived from “Jack the Erstwhile”, who used to be the head miller at the nearby Snuff Mills. It is a wonderful micropub with wooden tables, chairs, and benches throughout the one room. There is also a delightful beer garden at the back and benches at the front. Ethan behind the bar gave me a very warm welcome this evening.
Today at the bar, there are 4 cask ales and 3 keg beers available, as well as a variety of still and keg ciders. I opted for the “Glimmer of Summer” brewed by Quantock Brewery in Taunton. This delightful summer beer is hoppy and bursting with flavours from the three different hops utilized in its production.
The Wooden Walls
A brief trip on the bus to Staple Oak led me to “The Wooden Walls”, a Micropub that was established in May 2018. The interior boasts wood-lined walls, a nod to the owner’s Naval background. This cosy one-room Micropub features several small booths, as well as a spacious outdoor area at the back. It was a pleasure to meet and converse with the owner, Dave.
To access the bar, one must order through a hatch positioned next to the beer board. The selection today includes 3 cask ales, 3 keg beers, and a variety of still and keg ciders. I decided on “Goat’s Leap” from Cheddar Ales, a brewery based in Somerset. This pale ale is both delicious and easy to drink.
The Lyons Den
The final Micropub stop for the day involves a brief bus journey to Kingswood to explore “The Lyons Den”. This establishment debuted in May 2019 within a converted charity store. The interior boasts an appealing appearance, featuring bench seating, wooden tables, and chairs spread across the premises. There are also seats positioned near the entrance. It was a delightful experience interacting with Emma, who was tending the bar.
There are 3 cask beers available, served from a visually appealing and distinctive wall behind the bar. The casks are even visible behind a small window. I opted for “Mumbles Gold” from Mumbles Brewery in Swansea. It is a delightful pale ale with a lovely golden hue and excellent hop notes.
Beer Necessities
The subsequent visits took place on Wednesday and Thursday. The initial visit was to Beer Necessities, situated at the renowned Wapping Wharf in Bristol. It is an excellent small bottle shop and taproom located within the Cargo 2 development, close to the M Shed museum. It was delightful to have a conversation with Jake here this evening.
A pale ale, lager, and cider are available on tap, as well as a variety of cans and bottles in the fridges. I opted for the Cambridge-based DEYA’s pale ale, “Steady Rolling Man,” which is a wonderfully hoppy and flavorful beer.
The neighbouring restaurant “Squeezed” is highly recommended, offering a variety of burgers, fries, and lemonade, and has received national recognition for its exceptional quality. I thoroughly enjoyed the Reverse Cowgirl burger during my visit.
Junction
Facing directly across is ‘Junction’, a place I initially explored in 2018 under the name Wild Beer, functioning as their taproom. Presently under the ownership of Bristol Beer Factory, the new name reflects its prime location at the intersection between the harbourside and Wapping Wharf. This delightful, spacious pub offers appetizing aromas of food and boasts a generous outdoor seating space.
The bar offers an excellent selection, including 5 cask ales exclusively from Bristol Beer Factory, as well as 2 still Bristol ciders and a wide range of keg options. I opted for “Diamond Lake,” a fantastic hoppy pale ale made with New Zealand hop Motueka and Australian hop Ella.
The Apple
“The Apple” is situated in the heart of Bristol, right by the riverside. This bar offers a distinctive experience as it is located on a converted barge and specializes in cider. With seating available both on the barge and along the riverside, the bar provides a unique setting for visitors. During my visit, the spacious seating area was bustling with activity, creating an engaging and intriguing atmosphere.
There is a wide variety of over 18 ciders available, including both still and draught options, as well as a pale ale and a lager on draught. Additionally, a selection of canned drinks is offered. I opted for “Kaleidoscope” from Wiper and True Brewery, based in Bristol. This delightful pale ale is made from a blend of three hops, resulting in a delicious flavour.
Renato’s
Renato’s, a bar on King Street, was established in 2023 by the local brewery Left Handed Giant. The establishment boasts a spacious outdoor seating area, and inside, patrons can find a section to the left and another to the right, both offering delectable fresh pizza by the slice or as a whole. The aroma of the pizza is simply irresistible.
There is a variety of 10 keg beers, ciders, and lagers available at the bar. The selection includes options from local breweries as well as those from different regions. I decided to try “Sky Above” from Left Handed Giant, a brewery based in Bristol. This delicious pale ale is made using Citra, Simcoe, and Mosaic hops, resulting in a perfectly balanced session beer.
Micropub Adventures 