With two bank holiday weekends and nation-wide optimism that a glorious British Summer is just around the corner, May as always been a fantastic month for a drink! But as we all know British weather is temperamental; I was basking in 24 degree heat last weekend in Brighton, I'm now looking out at what could easily be a scene from The Day After Tomorrow. So with that in mind we've got you covered for all sorts of conditions, stay out of the rain in a warm, cosy microbrewery, or catch some rays atop an open roof terrace bar, and if the weather is looking truly biblical you can head to the bottleshop to stock up on some quality craft and wait out the storm from the comfort of your own home.
The Watchmaker’s Arms:
http://www.thewatchmakersarms.co.uk/
After taking some inspiration from a visit to The Tankerton Arms in Whistable, the idea of The Watchmaker’s Arms was born. It soon blossomed into a plan and The Watchmaker’s Arms opened its doors (arms?) in May 2015 as Brighton & Hove’s first microbrewery! Founded by two couples in stable careers, with little experience of pub management it was daunting feat to give up the security of their jobs and take the plunge. But we sure are glad they did!
The Watchmaker’s Arms has been a resounding success, and is the exact kind of pub Brighton & Hove needed. Focused on quality brews and flowing conversation, it is the perfect spot to socialise with friends and family. And that's exactly what they want at The Watchmaker’s Arms, they don’t have music playing, there aren’t any fruit machines, and the seating is laid out to encourage conversation. They have a very clear vision for what they wanted to create, and have absolutely nailed it!
Soon to ring in their 3rd Birthday, The Watchmaker’s Arms are celebrating in style with a Bank Holiday Birthday beer festival Friday 4th - Monday 7th May, bringing in 10 casks, 2 kegs, plus wine and cider for the event! Head on over and celebrate their birthday with a pint of Saugatuck’s Neapolitan Milk Stout which will be on draught. They’ll soon be expanding their offering to include Tailgate’s ever popular Peanut Butter Milk Stout, so even if you can’t make their birthday festival, go visit when you can because it's a fantastic place to have some quality beer and meaningful conversation.
Find them here on Instagram, Facebook & Twitter.
Common Rooms Southampton
Common Room Southampton is the youngest venue on our Where to Drink this month having only opened March 31st of this year! With that being said it is already making some serious waves in Southampton’s budding craft beer scene.
“On opening day the Common Rooms instantly became Southampton’s #1 craft beer bar. Always serving a great range of keg craft from sessionable pales to imperial stouts, with over 20 beer lines including a selection of cask beer too.” But its not just the clearly impressive range of brews on offer that are getting people piling into Common Rooms, they've also got an amazing kitchen ran by bark & brisket.
So treat yourself to a night fueled by incredible food and even better beer at Common Rooms next time you are in Southampton. They are stocking Saugatuck's Neapolitan Milk Stout and Blueberry Maple Stout, as well as Tailgate's Peanut Butter Milk Stout, Grapefruit IPA, and Watermelon Wheat.
Find them here on Instagram, Facebook & Twitter
The Tuppeny
https://thetuppenny.com/
Craft beer is now in Swindon, and The Tuppenny are the ones who took it there! Donned Swindon’s ‘first and only specialist purveyor of craft drinks’, The Tuppenny opened its doors in November of 2016. Having previously spent 121 years as a hairdressers, 57-58 Devizes Road reopened as The Tuppeny sporting an range of fantastic, high quality brews.
Paying homage to Victorian vernacular, The Tuppenny’s name was taken from the distinction between Penny Gin (the cheap stuff) and Tuppenny Gin (the refined, premium stuff), from which the word ‘tuppenny’ became a prefix for products of high quality. The Tuppenny decided they only wanted to be serving ‘tuppenny’ quality drinks; a sentiment that they’ve certainly maintained.
The Tuppenny is a quirky and cosy establishment with unique decor made from upcycled and repurposed furniture. Whether you're looking for a pub quiz, grassroots live music, or an education in beer at one of their brewery talks The Tuppenny is where you need to be. So visit this May and treat yourself to one (or four) of Tailgate’s Peanut Butter Milk Stouts.
Find them here on Instagram, Facebook & Twitter.
The Lion & Lobster
http://www.thelionandlobster.co.uk/
One of Brighton’s oldest and best kept secrets, The Lion & Lobster is a traditional pub absolutely bursting with character! Located on Sillwood Street, close to the seafront, The Lion & Lobster is packed with quirky photos, trinkets and allsorts of paraphernalia that make it truly unique. They describe themselves as the sort of place that ‘you feel instantly at home in’ as a regular frequenter myself, I can certainly attest to that.
Spread over 3 floors, The Lion & Lobster boasts a cosy and eclectic bar, atmospheric and elegant restaurant, and just when you think you’ve explored it all, you’ll find a charming two-storey roof terrace at the top. And on every floor you can sample some Heathwick goodness; on draught they’ve got Fordham’s Gypsy Lager and Route 1, as well as Motorhead’s Road Crew. If you fancy something of the canned variety, they have the full tailgate range, Peanut Butter Milk Stout, Grapefruit IPA and Watermelon Wheat.
So whatever the crazy British weather does this month, The Lion & Lobster have you covered, stay out of the cold in the bar with a Peanut Butter Milk Stout, or bask in the glorious sun on the roof terrace with a crisp Grapefruit IPA.
P.S if you find yourself at a loss on a Sunday, The Lion & Lobster do one of the best roasts in Brighton!
Find them here on Instagram, Facebook & Twitter.
Riddles
http://www.riddlesbar.com/
Head to Riddles and be transported back to the 1920s at the prohibition based speakeasy in the heart of Altrincham. The music, decor, atmosphere and staff will have you thinking you’re at one of Gatsby’s lavish parties whilst you sample from a fine selection of craft beer or one of Riddles’ world-class cocktails! There’s a cosy intimate feel at Riddles, which they’ve somehow coupled with such a buzzing atmosphere that it can be the ideal haunt whether you're looking for a sophisticated, romantic evening or a full blown party!
The innovation and uniqueness of Riddle’s can’t be understated, and what they’ve achieved aligns exactly with what we believe at Heathwick - a beverage should be an experience, not just a drink. With that in mind, they do stock a couple of our fine ‘experiences’ in the form of Tailgate’s Peanut Butter Milk Stout and Grapefruit IPA.
Find them here on Instagram, Facebook & Twitter.
Inn at Home
https://www.innathome.co.uk/
Looking outside I'm not so sure, but I’m very much hoping that it won’t be long till BBQ season is upon us, and that means you’ve got to stock up on some quality brews that you can bring home and impress your friends with. That’s where Inn At Home comes in, with a mission to share their passion for great quality alcohol they’ve got plenty for you to stock your cupboards with! Currently, they’ve got over 500 craft beers and ciders, over 400 wines, and a wide range of gins and whiskies.
With shops in Guildford and Newbury if you are based in South England this is the place to go; you won’t find another selection like this. The staff are supremely knowledgeable and will help you find your perfect drink depending on the occasion and your personal tastes. They clearly know good beer because have recently started stocking the core four Sixpoint range - The Crisp, Sweet Action, Bengali and Resin.
Seeking not only to tantalise your tastebuds but expand your mind, they host regular tastings for whatever your tipple might be, with Gin, Rum and Wine tastings coming up in May.
Inn at Home Guildford: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter.
Inn at Home Newbury: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter.