The Passage House Inn, Exeter

The Passage House Inn was the busiest pub I found in Topsham during a recent Wednesday afternoon crawl of all its pubs and bars. To the right of the entrance is a laminate floored dining area that is separated from the bar area to the left by a large fireplace with a coal effect heater. A central L-shaped serving counter on the rear wall faces seating across the front windows and the laminate floor in the bar area ends at the top of some steps that descend to a stone floored seating area further to the left. Premium keg was available from the polite bar staff alongside six hand pumps that were drawing St Austell’s Proper Job and Tribute, Otter Bright, Salcombe Gold, Dartmoor’s Jail Ale and Rosie’s Pig Rhubarb. This place is worth a look, especially on a nice day when the large waterside patio on the other side of the quiet Ferry Road can be utilised.

This is an old pub overlooking the estuary so is one that appeals to tourists and the yachting brigade. You enter into a wide open plan area with tables for food on the right, a small bar area in the middle and a further area to the left of that. It's obviously old with beams but a more modern wooden floor. On my Saturday midday visit they were clearly geared up for food orders rather than old soaks after a pint. There are five hand pumps and one for cider. The beers were Otter Bitter & Amber, St Austell Tribute, Dartmoor Jail Ale and Bath Gem. I went for the Tribute (£4.00) which was in good nick but expensive. I thought this was a nice enough place but the beer choice is unadventurous and it's too expensive and food orientated for me.

Official site of The Passage House Inn - passagehouseinntopsham.co.uk

As below, with further comment that they offer a couple of beers from the barrel during the summer season - Summer's Hare and Liquid Sunshine at time of visit, although not convinced about the quality.