The Rockstone, Bevois Valley, Southampton

The Rockstone is a large square solid looking pub with a well-tended triangle of seating out front that unfortunately sits between two busy roads. The interior is J-shaped with a central L-shaped counter that faces the front entrance and seating in the bay windows on either side. There’s some seating up the left and high tables run up the right-hand wall to a couple of tables at the rear. There was some rock background music playing and I noted a rolled up projector screen, but no satellite sport ads. Premium keg was available and the three hand pumps were drawing Black Sheep, Dark Star’s APA and Adnams' Ghost Ship. There’s also an Asian street food menu, the friendly barmaid was telling me that some young lads had started the food business that was doing very well, unfortunately I’d already had a burger at the Trago Lounge so I had to pass. This place has some stiff local competition, but as promised I will pop in to try the food next time I’m in the area because it did look good.

I hadn't been to this prominent pub for just over 9 years. So I thought it was worth a visit whilst passing by yesterday. Last time I came, there were 7 real ales. This time there were just 2 and the place was very quiet, despite it being reasonably close to the football stadium that was just emptying out. It's possible that other ales had been drunk prior to the match, but it looks likely that ales are now limited to Timothy Taylor Landlord & Vibrant Forest Pupa. My Pupa was very tasty. There was no sign of any real cider. Speciality burgers used to be the attraction here. I think they are still being served. But I only saw one table placing an order for food. Many dirty glasses were littering the end of the bar. It was almost as if the pub had just emptied prior to kick off at St Mary's. Instead, the match had just finished. I have mixed opinions of this pub now. I really enjoyed my beer, but the selection of ales has certainly diminished and the pub is much quieter than it used to be. Downgrading my score from a 7 last time around to a 6.

A large square building wedged between two roads. A long U shaped interior with nine pumps on the bar facing you as you enter through the front door, I was more than a little disapointed to find five clips turned around on a Saturday afternoon, maybe an earlier match day crowd had drunk them dry?Beers on were XT8,Cottage Sticky Wicket,Flack Manor Double Drop and Tapstone Cascade which was a little tired in taste.This pub didnt really live up to my (admittedly high) expectations, I would though try it again.

Official site of The Rockstone - www.therockstone.co.uk