The Brewery Tap, Peterborough

The Brewery Tap has a very large barnlike interior with a very big curvy bar counter along the left of the rear wall and a mix of high tables in the left and standard furniture to the right. Up on the rear wall was a large projector screen for showing World Cup football and some funky background music played. Upstairs there is seating with balcony views over the bar and seating below. This is the tap for Oakham Ales so the two banks of four hand pumps were drawing Inferno, JHB, Bishops Farewell, Citra and Black Magic alongside Grainstore’s Tupping Ale. Limited standard and premium keg were also available. I decided to have a Thai Green curry which set me back about £13, it was good, and I would pop back in to eat again. However, if I’m hankering after some Oakham Ales I’d probably go to Charters instead.

Official site of The Brewery Tap - www.thebrewery-tap.com

Official site of The Brewery Tap - www.thebrewery-tap.com

Visiited during the lockdown rules period when pubs were only allowed outside service so only the couple of tables to the front of the pub and a small outside courtyard area to the rear underneath large umbrellas was available and the large barn like interior was forlornly empty. Was only here for the beer and only two of the Oakham Ales in the shape of Citra and JHB were on due to the current limited customer footfall, but both were good, as you would hope, and at under £10 a round for a pint and G&T my London wallet was well satisfied.

Unchanged from earlier reviews - a huge barn of a place over two levels with a modern feel. Drinking alongside the brewing vessels always adds something, and it is a handy source of good ale for the town centre and station, but otherwise it is not exceptional.

Oakham’s Brewery Tap bigger than most with a dogleg counter snaking along one side ending at a glass wall giving views of the brewery. The floor is new flags, plain walls with poster decor, furniture is a mix, mostly low chairs and tables with a collection of leather arm chairs and a sofa near the door. There is a mezzanine floor as well. Beer mainly from Oakham is dispensed from three banks of four pulls, two are doubled up Oakham products the other bank had Salopian Darwin’s Origin and a different Oakham. The beer was ok but not really the showcase quality you ought to get in a brewery tap, so I see why it’s not a GBG entry. A range of usual suspect kegs also available. Sadly my Saturday night visit coincided with some event that necessitated the services of a DJ and some flashing lights.

Already well reviewed so I'll stick with saying that it's a large brewery tap with a Thai restaurant in a large, oddly soulless building. For me though, as a fan of Oakham beers, it's been a must visit for some time so I was pleased to slide in for a pint or two. Beers on were mainly Oakham - Inferno, JHB, Bishops Farewell, Citra and Once to Yourself alongside Fat Cat Salopian as a guest. I was a touch disappointed to find only Once to Yourself that isn't widely available elsewhere and had hoped to see Green Devil IPA. More disappointing though was the beer quality which, to me, was flat and lifeless. Inferior to many other venues serving Oakham beers. I'm pleased to have visited and it doesn't alter my view of Oakham as a top brewer but I'll stick with enjoying their beers elsewhere.