Wiper and True Taproom, Bristol

A fairly impressive taproom with big windows, some comfortable seating and internal fauna with the feel of an early 1990s leisure centre/swimming pool. Boring thudding bass-heavy music for the local Guardianistas trying their best to get the wigga vibe as is the norm round here, all very Common People. An interesting divvied-up queuing system at the bar, akin to passport control at Heathrow/Gatwick which worked quite well. No cask on and, having studied the prices as I queued, noting that nothing was under £3.40 a half alongside and sign saying that the plastic cups were an additional pound (albeit refundable), I decided that I simply couldn't be arsed for the sake of a quick half. I believe the business euphemism is ‘erecting barriers to entry to the market’.

Official site of Wiper and True Taproom - wiperandtrue.com

Official site of Wiper and True Taproom - wiperandtrue.com

A new opening located on a non-descript industrial estate just on past the top of the Old Market strip, it’s not somewhere that you’re likely to stumble across by accident but they’re clearly expecting lots of custom with a reputed seating capacity of 400, although slightly over half that is in the attractive landscaped courtyard at the front. They’ve certainly spent some money here, both inside and out, and it was very busy outside on a recent sunny Saturday afternoon visit. Internally it’s split between the bar area at the front and the brewery at the back. Unlike many brewery taps which can be a bit dark and dingy, this one is quite the opposite with large windows letting in plenty of light to the double height room. Beyond the bar, massive plate glass windows give uninterrupted views of the shiny stainless steel brewing vessels beyond. Inevitably it does still have a slightly industrial feel, with painted breeze blocks on the walls, some sort of sealed concrete on the floor and visible cable trays and wiring, but on the whole, they’ve done a good job of softening it with plenty of foliage both in the middle of the floor, in troughs on the walls and hanging from the ceiling as well as dark green glazed tiling on the lower part of the walls and plenty of pine furniture. A long bar counter to the right had an equally large menu up above with the style and ABV displayed alongside the price for half, 2/3 and pint measures. Staff seemed friendly and helpful. Not quite sure about the gender-neutral loos though, with a sign saying something along the lines of using whichever you feel comfortable with. In essence it was urinals to the left and cubicles to the right, so clearly most guys are going to go left, unless you need a dump in which case you’ve no option but to use the “ladies”. Rather odd, and it left Mrs B. distinctly unimpressed. Beers on tap were mostly keg, although the two cask options were Kaleidoscope and Joyful Day. Keg options meanwhile were Kaleidoscope again, Lemondrop Hill, In the Pines, Meadow Land, Ensemble, Confetti, Earthbound, Small Beer, Elderflower, Fareshare and Milkshake. The solitary cider meanwhile was Wild Juice, presumably from Iford although the menu didn’t make that clear. Overall I thought they’d done a great job here, and with a couple of food trucks outside it would be easy to while away a few hours here.