Brewhouse & Kitchen, Southbourne, Bournemouth

Fairly standard example of this pub chain with a reasonable choice of house beers. Friendly service and the beer quality was good. Worth a visit if nearby.

I can't say that I'm particularly a fan of this chain of brewpubs, but this one was on the way between a couple of other pubs we were visiting. So, I stopped by for a swift half. This is quite a large pub with wooden floors and lots of exposed brickwork, giving it quite a traditional feel. Service was quick and there were seemingly 4 real ales to choose from. However, the first we ordered was off, despite the pumpclip still showing. Princeranji & Smoked Porter were definitely on, as we ordered them. The other one clipped was Pinecliff. My Smoked Porter was way past its best. I think I've yet to have a decent ale in any of these outlets. As pubs go, this one had a nice atmosphere. But it's also nice to have a decent beer.

Originally The Pinecliff Hotel, then more recently The Malt and Hops, this large Edwardian hotel reopened in 2016 as a micro-brewery and restaurant combo, one of a small chain. The pub sits at the end of what was once a fine parade of businesses, so its steampunk style, more often seen in Brewdog pubs, is actually quite fitting. The ground floor has been completely restructured internally, supporting walls replaced with exposed I-beams, services laid on steel gantries and a single modern central servery. Large areas of the original plaster have been left on the walls, fixed in a state of apparent state of decay and framed with bare brick. Areas of original wooden flooring remain, though the unplastered walls are clad with a mix of rough timber planking and white tiling. There is an open firepit in the middle of the main bar area, vented by a steel exhaust pipe. There is a car park at the back, from which the pub is reached via a covered decking terrace. An array of pinball machines entertains the sportier customers, while the more sedentary ones occupied reinforced chairs. You step up a fine original staircase out of the image to reach the toilets. Trite muzak competed with unruly children for control of the soundscape, while the over-worked young staff did their best to keep everyone happy. Six of their own ales on draft, plus a guest beer and Rosie's Pig cider. I had a pint of Pinecliff, their 3.6ABV session ale, a memorial to the original business. Worth dropping in for lunch and a pint if in the area and a good example of a pub rescued.