Warehouse 4, Gloucester

Located, as it’s name suggests, in one of the former warehouses in the rejuvenated Gloucester Quays development, this is the home of the Gloucester Brewery, tap house and also the Fox’s Kiln distillery. Internally it retains the sense of it’s warehouse origins with cavernous proportions, concrete screed on the floor and much exposed brickwork on the walls, although the lower level brickwork has been painted a pale green and there was a decent amount of colourful artwork around, both smaller pictures that were for sale and much larger ones up above. A mezzanine level had been constructed at the rear to provide additional seating as well as a smaller bar counter, although this was unmanned on our visit. There was also a shop unit in one corner with the brewery’s and distillery’s products for sale and a stage area in one corner with a couple of speakers, so presumably live music features on occasions. Seating was long communal benches. The solitary real ale on tap was their own Cascade, although a second pump had it’s clip reversed. The keg selection was somewhat more extensive though and consisted of Session IPA, New England IPA, DIPA, American Pale and an Imperial Stout which came in at 10% ABV. Ciders meanwhile were Blindside and Fratello from Just Pressed.

Friendly service at the bar of the Gloucester Brewery Tap. Typical of the style, with tanks down the right-hand side of the room and a mezzanine floor accommodating several more bench seats as well as the toilets. Just one of two handpumps was in operation today with a fully badged row of keg taps inevitably available as well. The high ceilings of this former dockside warehouse are clearly insulated which has me wondering what the place is like on a cold winter night but temperature was not a problem on a reasonably mild afternoon. A shame about the restricted cask offering, but you may get more of a choice on your visit.