Brewery Tap, Ipswich

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It probably comes as no surprise to learn that this pub was formerly the brewery tap for the Tolly Cobbold brewery, with the now semi-derelict brewery still casting a literal shadow over the pub today. What is perhaps more surprising is that it was only the brewery tap for ten years, having been converted from brewery offices and accommodation in 1992 and surviving until the brewery's takeover in 2002. It has since been run by both Ridley's and Greene King, but happily finds itself as a freehouse at present. The pub retains numerous interesting articles relating to the brewery, which make it worth a look in its own right. You enter through a carpeted front reception-like area into a bare boarded corridor with the bar area further back to the right and several seating areas off to either side. Two rooms can be accessed either side of the entrance - the left hand room is a small, basic space with standard seating and some nice lamps in the windows, whilst the right side offers a smart formal dining room with a nice fireplace, a grand, etched Tolly Cobbold mirror and decent views over the adjacent River Orwell. Moving further into the pub, there is another seating area to the left, partially screened by a half height bare brick wall, which has been carpeted and has some great old Tolly posters on the walls as well as a beehive of all things! Beyond is the servery, split in two by a large section of wall, suggesting two separate rooms here in the past. To the left is an area with whitewashed walls, wicker chairs, a mighty fine looking fireplace and a load of Tolly memorabilia that is worth looking through. The longest section of bar runs into a right hand lounge-cum-dining room, with a nice curve to the end of the counter. This room has large tables with standard chairs, dark wood flooring, beams and pillars and a magnificent delft tile fireplace. An old clock, an attractive painting of the pub and a stained glass window all give the room a sense of refinement and the large bay window on the end wall offers a few lucky punters the chance to gaze out to the river beyond. There is one final space to the rear of the bar - split into two sections and rather dark due to the lack of natural light. The lower right half has a tiled floor covered with a large rug and has a huge table in the middle with a few smaller ones in the corners. The raised left side just has a couple of tables and a dartboard. Lounge music was playing quietly throughout my lunchtime visit and I seemed to be the only person not eating. The pub has a large car park, which is handy as the walk from the town centre was less than inspiring, and in one corner there is a pen full of ducks, turkeys and guinea fowl.
The pub's name is still pretty apt, as they are now the unofficial tap for the Cliff Quay Brewery, who operate just around the corner, from a former Tolly Cobbold loading bay. Cliff Quay Roaring Forties, Tumble Home, Sea Dog and Classic Biter were all available alongside Isle of Purbeck Force Four and Best Bitter and Crouch Vale Brewers Gold. Keg beers included offerings from Calvors and Chevalier. My pint of Force Four was in good shape although I was a bit miffed that I'd not clocked the Cliff Quay beers on the other side of the bar before ordering.
This is a great pub to explore and soak up a bit of British brewing history. It's slightly isolated location sadly doesn't lend it to a good pub crawl, but I was really glad I made the effort to get out here. My only gripe was that it felt more like a restaurant than a pub, with everyone else tucking into their lunch when I arrived, but I would still consider a return to try some of those Cliff Quay brews.

On 19^th June 2015 - rating: 8
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