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CrackleRock Taproom, Southampton

Pub added by David Foot
Rear of 30 High Street, High Street
Botley
Postal town: Southampton
SO30 2EA

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Reviews (Current Rating Average: 8 of 10) Add Review see review guidelines

Peter Forster left this review about CrackleRock Taproom

This is quite an unusual pub but fortunately in a good way. Botley is an old market town. It has a very small, compact, centre but a large and expanding hinterland of new housing estates. Amongst the old buildings in the town centre you walk down a narrow alleyway and enter the pub via what appears to be someone’s UPVC front door. Once inside the place has the vibe of a 1950s American nightclub or even a speakeasy. It is mainly fixed soft seating, carpeted with a low ceiling and dimly lit. The bar has all of the brewery’s beers lined up on hand pump, an impressive range. Bar staff were very friendly and welcoming and the place was busy with a strong community feel. I tried the Verified pale ale and the Crackatoa IPA both NBSS 3.5 going on 4. The were excellent pints but both a little biscuity malt lead for me and a bit under hopped. But that’s just my taste. Very good value. Worth a visit or even an evening out if in the area. Recommended.

On 14th June 2026 - rating: 8
[User has posted 73 recommendations about 73 pubs]

Please Note: This review is over a year old.

Graham Coombs left this review about CrackleRock Taproom

Originally located at the brewery across the road, the taproom now has its own premises tucked away down an alley behind an estate agent. The atmospheric and quite splendid single L-shaped room is decorated in dark shades of red, with bunches of hops, which gives a warm and cosy feel. At one end is the bar boasting 9 handpumps of mainly their own beers but including a couple of local guests; for a nice change the beers include some variety beyond the usual modern IPAs and good descriptions are provided. A few interesting brews are also on keg and there are half a dozen boxed ciders kept in the back room. Food is restricted to jars of snacks. Definitely a serious ale drinkers' bar and recommended.

On 26th September 2021 - rating: 8
[User has posted 3959 recommendations about 3891 pubs]