The Witch's Brew, Southampton

Small and simple micro with plenty of occult-based paraphernalia. Odd layout with a random middle section that Tucker's Grave fans would mistake for a servery – the bar is at the far rear, the locals had to encourage me to keep going so I could find it! Five cask and seven ciders were available off stillage. Young barmaid was engaged enough to notice my first choice was kicking up so replaced it. Halves of Flowerpot Perridge (NBSS 3.5) and Exmoor Path Finder (3) attested to the GBG credentials. Southampton does like a micro, and I thought this was a decent DIY-type effort. 7.5

This is a micropub that I've been meaning to visit for some time. It looked fairly empty as we drove by on the bus a little further up the Shirley Road, but returning on foot we did find one other customer present. This small premises essentially comprises three rooms - the main front room, a more secluded room with no windows to the rear and the small bar itself at the very back. Rooms have various artefacts relating to witchcraft, which certainly act as points of interest. There was no sign of the landlady mentioned in previous reviews. Instead we were served by a young female goth with plenty of piercings. Whilst she was friendly, service was extremely slow. I'm not sure what would have happened if a coach load had arrived! The other customer was a local CAMRA member who believed this to be the best pub in Southampton. However, it is the Park Inn a little further up the Shirley Road that officially holds that claim currently. Pumpclips can be found on a wall to the side of the bar, with beers and ciders fetched from a cool room even further beyond. On cask, there was Flower Pots Cheriton Porter, Steam Town Stoke Pale & Wantsum Green Hop Fuggles, Fortitude & Ravening Wolf. Ciders were Lilley's Pina Colada, Rhubarb & Mango Ciders & Bee Sting Perry, Sandford Orchards Devon Red, Dorset Nectar Dabinett & Knights Malvern Gold. The Kernel Dry Stout was available on keg. With this pub only opening late in the afternoon 5 days a week, I would have expected it to have been much busier on a Saturday evening. Another couple did walk in, but it left me wondering how they could sustain such a wide range of beers and ciders, given the lack of custom at such a peak time. Nevertheless, with the drinks selection and the curious nature of this place, I would definitely stop again if passing.