Boat Shed, Norwich

We normally visit The Brewery Tap each year when we are on holiday in Wroxham. I did not do a review in 2014. When I visited it in 2015, in the middle of the afternoon, there were a few customers. The kitchen was closed as it was after lunchtime. There were far fewer beers available than there used to be. I chose Black Sheep at £3.50. There did not seem to be the same atmosphere that there was before the change of format. A shame, but still worth visiting.

We were looking forward to visiting the Brewery Tap while on holiday and arrived to find it closed and being refurbished with a view to reopening in a fortnight. Apparently, the ongoing debate about food did not get resolved and their licence was taken away in August 2012. It is a great shame as it was an enlightened venture that tried to break the mould and provide something different. Unfortunately, the Broads Authority enjoyment police did not like it. We will be back in the area on holiday next year and will pay it a visit, but I am not sure if reopening is a good idea as it will never be the same, but I look forward to seeing what it is like. I have not marked it as shut as I will not be in the area to update the site when it is open.

We returned to the Shed twice on our annual holiday in Wroxham. The plans for the retail area and brewery did not happen as they have been told they must provide hot food on the premises to retain their licence. This is a shame, as one of the attractions was it was a place for people to enjoy a large selection of real ales, rather than have lunch. The kitchen/dining area was being built and decorated. The colour scheme of light purple with pine furniture is a bit of a clash with the original area which is dark wood, but I suppose it identifies the two areas. There was, as usual, an impressive array of real ales available. The Shed Bitter is now £2.70. We will return next year. Enjoy it before all the tables are taken up with people eating something and chips.