Quantock Brewery Tap, Bishops Lydeard, Taunton

On arrival we thought it was closed, but that was due to low lighting in the bar area, while the shop part was better lit. On entering the bar we were pleasantly surprised at the friendliness and professionalism of the staff, and it was great to see the Brewery workings going on while we supped. Five of their cask ales were on draft – QPA, Will’s Neck, Plastered Pheasant and 2 I hadn’t tried before, Obsessed with Nelson Sauvin and Spirit of the Bines. All the beer was, of course, in superb condition, and the prices were lower than most of the nearby pubs. The ale prices were in stark contrast to the shop prices, though, as these were much higher than in the supermarkets. There were also 15 (I think) taps with ‘craft’ beer but we didn’t venture there – we didn’t need to. The bar room itself was wholly unpretentious – a basic industrial unit with a token draping of dried hops from the concrete ceiling beams, and a nicely made bar counter. There didn’t appear to be an outside drinking area, but there was plenty of parking. I’d be delighted to come back when passing, and it should be a definite inclusion if travelling to Minehead from Taunton.

Official site of Quantock Brewery Tap - www.quantockbrewery.co.uk

Official site of Quantock Brewery Tap - www.quantockbrewery.co.uk