The Bath Brew House, Bath

This is a modern brewpub with a great central location in a striking old building, formerly the Midland Hotel. Inside, the pub occupies a large rectangular room with the bar midway along the left-hand wall and a variety of mostly comfy seating around the remainder of the perimeter. The place felt a bit like something from the Brewhouse and Kitchen chain, minus the pointless faux-industrial decor, making good use of contemporary furniture and fittings to create a smart, slightly quirky environment that will appeal to a broad customer base, perhaps best exemplified by the sight of my elderly father ordering a round whilst surrounded by a tottering hen do party. We settled under the front windows, which were surprisingly great for a bit of people watching, so I didn’t properly explore the rear part of the pub, where I believe there is a function room and a decent garden area. The in-house micro supplies the majority of the beer, with the handpulls offering a range of styles with suitably Roman-themed names - Gladiator, Spartacus, Commodus, Emperor and Herculean - plus a load of other homebrew options on keg. I forget which one I tried, but seem to recall it was a bit underwhelming - very light bodied and devoid of flavour. I really like what they’ve done here and thought it was a good venue that will work well in a range of circumstances. The place was comfortable, well thought out and clean, but service was a little lethargic and the beer left a lot to be desired - I’ll hope I just made a poor choice and that the rest of the range is better.

Not for me - or Mrs M, who wanted to leave on entry. Good beer guide 2022 entry. Although I think establishments that need bouncers should be excluded from the bible. Massive interior and large beer garden that is covered. Absolutely packed solid on a Friday night with students. Pumping music. Tables, if you can find one, filthier than a JDW. The beer was also poor. I went for one of their own brews - Dunkel Fester - an attempt at a German Dunkel. Overfizzy and a head that disappeared almost instantly. Bar staff friendly, but overworked.

A fairly trendy sort of place with one long room leading to an open kitchen at the rear and a quite Germanic beer garden courtyard behind containing the brewery. Four of the brews were available on handpump and it was nice to see something described as 'dark and malty' which, although not much of either, was a pleasant enough drink and close to a light mild. Probably a good place for some serious ale supping.

Very busy on a Tuesday evening with a predominantly young crowd in the large L shaped interior, seven ales on of which I had a very swift Bath Brew House Spartacus due to an impending train arrival having already missed one. I didn't have time to fully appreciate the pub but would return to have another look if back in Bath.

Housed in a pleasing old building,this is the home of the James Street Brewery.The interior is L shaped with a rear extension which houses an open kitchen and a wait to be seated dining area.The decor is quirky with most of the wall coverings and the bar consisting of old door panels,cupboard doors and other wooden furniture parts.Pump clips adorn the two RSJ's that support the open plan structure,while to the front side there is a table football machine and a mix of seating,some of which is more reclaimed wood and scaffolding bars.Trendy and shabby chic come to mind.If you want to see the brewing process,the tap room with seating is upstairs but this space can be privately hired,on my trip to a life drawing class. At the bar there are 7 handpumps offering on my trip James Street Gladiator,Emporer & Ostairius while guests were BBF Seven,Twisted Brewing Gaucho and an excellent Arbor Why Kick a Moo Cow.Keg options seemed more mundane by comparison.I sampled a sausage roll from the starter menu and at £4 it was sizeable and well cooked.The staff are friendly and offered tasting samples. Having been in their sister pub King Street BrewHouse in Bristol,this place maintains the high standard and I would view this as a must visit when in Bath and seeking top quality real ale.It would be first on my list for a revisit.