Brewpub that opened at the end of 2015 (though the official launch was in Jan 2016). part of the Brewhouse & Kitchen chain. There has been a pub on the site for some time - the original pub called The Highfield having been damaged by German bombs in the Second World War, a new one was built in the roadhouse style popular in the early part of the 20th century. By 2009 it was a well run and popular family pub with a "secret" beer garden. It was refurbished in 2014 and reopened as The Grazing Goat with a focus on food, before being converted into the Brewhouse & Kitchen.
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| The ambiance |
It's a clean and tidy place with a well run and welcoming atmosphere. There are brewing and tasting activities, which sound like fun. I was very impressed on my first visit, and keen to return with Chrissie and Phocea, but subsequent visits haven't impressed. The beer isn't always good, and I find it difficult to pick out a reasonably priced and acceptable meal from the menu.
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| The beer list |
It's popular with students and lecturers from the nearby University as it presents as modern and bright, and serves the currently fashionable "craft beer" which, according to one loud Hooray Henry, was brewed by BrewDog. Such is the impact of BrewDog's publicity.
Date: June 2016 Score: 6
Popped in with beer friend Ian on a mega pub crawl in Nov 2016, and we had a flight sampler of three beers. All were bad, but the Speedwell in particular tasted like dish water, and I wondered if it was a pull-through error.
Date: Nov 2016 Score: 4
Dropped in with Chrissie in Jan 2017, just after 11am, and we were alone. We had two beers, Winter Warmer and Old Bowler, both were malty beers at 5%. Both tasted pleasant, but surprisingly thin for 5%. They came across like weak dark lagers, particularly the Old Bowler.
Date: Jan 2017 Score: 5
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| Some Brewhouse beers |
Dropped in with the lads for lunch. We sampled a few beers by having a paddle each and swapping them. We did struggle with the beers, and the food was not the best. It didn't help that the main room was closed, so everyone was crowded in what feels like the back room - the brewing room. It was a bit awkward, cluttered, noisy, and dark.
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| Stephen & Myles putting on a brave face |
We did discover the wonderful "secret back garden" with the garden sheds. I quite fancy returning in the summer and giving it a go - though I expect it will be full of smokers. Odd how the indoor smoking ban has created more of a problem than it solved.
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| The garden sheds |
Date: Oct 2019 Score: 4
47 Highfield Lane
Portswood
SO17 1QD
Opens at 11 (Sunday at 12) with food from 12. Food generally stops at 9pm, with the pub closing at 11pm - slightly later at the weekend.
* WhatPub
* Website
* Trip Advisor
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Portswood |
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