The Grapevine , Exmouth

This smart brewpub has a great central location, just off The Strand and within easy striking distance of the train station, making it an ideal start or end point for any crawl around town. The pub has a slightly food-led feel, thanks in part to the retention of certain Covid-era practices, such as table service and a rope across entrance for punters to wait at, in order to be seated. Once admitted, you find yourself in a tiled floor room with bare boarded raised seating seating areas to either side. High tables and stools run through the centre, in the space opposite the bar, whilst both of the side seating areas have regular tables and chairs in abundance. The walls are painted in dark shades and decorated with Crossed Anchors signs, Six Nations promotional crap and a few simple mirrors. The servery is to the left and has a timber clad counter bearing the pub’s name, and a deep bar back with keg taps mounted on an ugly steel fronted unit beneath a basic image depicting the brewing process. Unusually, the bar canopy holds a collection of, what I assume are, rarer Crossed Anchors beers in large bottles. The windows have some nice stained glass upper panes, but there’s not too much else that puts you in mind of a traditional pub here. Beyond the bar is a rear area with bare boards and a mix of high tables and stools and picnic benches, with an open kitchen to the left. More bottles are displayed on the shelves back here, seemingly available for off-sales, and beyond this, there may possibly be a final room to the rear, but I didn't fully explore. Quiet tunes played in the background but a good Sunday evening turnout created enough hubbub to render it unnecessary. The staff here all seemed very friendly and they gave a lady who bought some take out bottles a free branded bottle opener. Unsurprisingly, Crossed Anchors beer dominates the bar, with American Pale Ale, Big Red Ale, Devon Premium Gold and Sweet Session O'Mine available on cask, alongside eight of their keg beers plus a few guests from Stannary, New Lion and Powderkeg. I tried the American Pale Ale (£3.80 a pint) but found it almost entirely devoid of flavour, which was a real disappointing end to my crawl around town. I wanted to like this place, which on the surface is a smart, well run brewpub with a good selection of beers and a comfortable environment in which to enjoy them. However, this was tempered by the food-led feel of the enterprise, poor quality homebrew and the relentless Six Nations branding throughout the pub. Ultimately, I left feeling a little unfulfilled and would think twice about giving this a second chance.

Decent brewhouse - a converted victorian street corner pub - it is single roomed but has the benefit of a covered and heated courtyard. An extensive range of Cross Anchors beers - where a clip board with a printed menu is available on every table. Also an extensive (and slightly expensive) range of European beers - including a first ever spotted Ayinger Winter Bock. Friendly staff - who are currently taking orders at the bar and then delivering the drinks to you table. I liked this place.