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The Brewery Tap (National Brewery Centre), Burton On Trent Town, Burton on Trent
Burton on Trent
DE14 1NG
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Moby Duck left this review about The Brewery Tap (National Brewery Centre)
My first and likely only time here as its due to close as well reported below, there was a group of old boys (older than me anyway) in at opening time and appeared to be regulars.Not a great pub atmosphere to the place but probably one of the most comfortable Taprooms I've encountered. I felt drawn to try a pint of Bass which was well kept if not overly interesting as expected. Some interesting paraphanelia dotted around particularly in the rear room. A place of some interest but not somewhere I'd be drawn to again in the unlikely event it should survive.
On 3rd November 2022
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1872 recommendations about 1845 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about The Brewery Tap (National Brewery Centre)
Being back in Burton after many years I took the opportunity to look this place up again for probably the last time as it is due to close at the end of October in an act of complete vandalism by Molson Coors, showing a total lack of respect for brewing history by planning to redeveloping the site for offices. Have these people no morals or respect? Clearly not.
As for the tap room and restaurant itself, I agree with previous comments made that it’s a fairly sterile corporate affair but at least the hanging pub signs in the restaurant section does try and give it a bit of character.
The beer was very good, but then you would expect it to be as it is the official tap bar for the Heritage Brewery, embedded in the National Brewery Centre next door, and they don’t have to travel very far.
The Tap bar has six hand pumps and for our visit these were dispensing the Heritage Brewery Masterpiece IPA, Heritage Gold, Charrington IPA and Oatmeal Stout as well as Draught Bass and Elgood black dog on as a guest. I went for the Oatmeal Stout and it was very good indeed. The bar staff did give a bit of an impression that they were suffering for their profession and would rather have been somewhere else.
It is not one of the best tap rooms I have ever visited, but it is probably one of the most famous, so I will be very sad to see it go.
On 29th October 2022
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2111 recommendations about 1992 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about The Brewery Tap (National Brewery Centre)
An interesting venue, especially with all the large brewing paraphernalia on view along the side road on our approach. The interior here was slightly bigger than anticipated with the extra large back room in view. It was also good to see a glass fronted cold room down the side of the bar, with all the beers on stillage. Six ales on handpump, noted below, so I went for the Charrington Oatmeal Stout which was excellent. Glad I made a visit in here.
On 25th October 2022
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Brewery Tap (National Brewery Centre)
Part of the National Brewery Centre, and where you end up with your tasting vouchers after a visit to the Brewing Experience museum, but also open to the public as a 'normal' pub and restaurant. Multi-room layout with surprising modern furniture and decor. Covered terrace and beer garden to the side. Six real ales on handpump: Bass; Heritage Gold, Charrington IPA and Oatmeal Stout from the on-site brewery; and Everard's Black Dog as a guest. First revisit for ten years, and possibly my last if the planned cultural vandalism by Molson Coors goes ahead and the site closes?
On 23rd October 2022
- rating: 7
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about The Brewery Tap (National Brewery Centre)
The NBC’s homepage states: ‘THE NATIONAL BREWERY CENTRE! DISCOVER THE HISTORY, ART AND FUN OF BREWING’. Well not for much longer, for as mentioned, Mouldy Corpse are due to close it at the end of the month.
Although the actual centre wasn’t visited, the bar itself is a rather soulless corporate affair, understandably more hospitality centre than pub, which features a 60-minute Escape Room of all things; a first for me and probably a place to incarcerate the kiddies during a tour.
I went for a half of the HB Oatmeal Stout which was on good form, served by an indifferent barmaid.
I suppose this place is good for the convenience factor following a visit, but it’s not really a place to visit in its own right.
On 16th October 2022
- rating: 5
[User has posted 1985 recommendations about 1951 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Graham Coombs left this review about The Brewery Tap (National Brewery Centre)
Located in the outbuildings of the National Brewery Centre, this is a pleasant bar attached to numerous indoor and outdoor areas. Beers include a selection from the Heritage Brewing Company, Bass and a guest or two. I won't go into further detail as sadly it is due to close at the end of October due to Molson Coors showing a total lack of respect for brewing history by redeveloping the site for their offices.
On 16th October 2022
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3339 recommendations about 3276 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Brewery Tap (National Brewery Centre)
Not much change here. Felt a bit half arsed and on-the-cheap this time round, really quiet on a Friday evening as well – should have been packed. Naff modern music and broken Wi-Fi not helping matters. Six ales on with a couple from the Heritage Brewing Company – I tried the Charrington Stout (which was in superb shape NBSS 4 as was the Charrington IPA, 4.5) This should be a must visit but flatters to deceive in parts; no faulting the beer quality though and that’s enough to see me return at some point I’d imagine. 6.5
November 2016
A converted brick warehouse. Main bar has a vaulted ceiling, red and white paint on bare brick and perhaps a little bit too much of an austere feel for me though there is plenty of breweriana as to be expected. There’s a function room to the rear and a conservatory out front (indeed, we gate-crashed a wedding reception that was being hosted at the venue). Six pumps with five on; Bass and 4x Heritage Brewing Company (formerly the William Worthington’s Brewery) - Masterpiece, Charrington Oatmeal Stout, Offilers Best Bitter and St Modwen Golden ale. We went for the Oatmeal Stout which was a great beer in great condition. It’s certainly worth popping in here if you’re in the vicinity for something a bit different, beer-wise. Rated 7.5
On 5th March 2020
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5099 recommendations about 5082 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
ROB Camra left this review about Brewery Tap
Well described by the esteemed reviewers below. We were here for the CAMRA Champion Beer Of Britain lunch which matched 4 courses with the CBOB. Apart from all the free beer the wine and spirits were bought from the bar in here. The restaurant area looked very nice and if the quality of the food at the lunch is anything to go by, it will be pretty good. The bar itself felt a bit antiseptic to me, but the beer served at the lunch was all in good nick, so the cellarmanship is very good. It must be quite daunting to have to serve the Champion brewers of Britain their own beers!! We'll call in again next time we're in Burton.
On 15th October 2013
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3224 recommendations about 3135 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about Brewery Tap
In the 2013 GBG ,so got a lunchtime visit to see whats on offer.The bar room with bay windows and a wood floor is rather genteel but the place to drink while the glass panelled doors give access to the large restaurant with a gallery where you can sample dishes some made with beer,mains £9-£14,starters and deserts around £5.There is a Sunday carvery and there is occasional live music.Sadly the muzak was corporate and loud until the bar started to fill up.
My focus was on ale,so I stayed in the tap room and sampled the range of three Worthington cask ale brewed on site,all £3 which I thought reasonable.The Spring Shield was acceptable,the Red Shield good with a strong Burton sulphur nose ,while the White Shield was outstanding,a real classic with lots going on.Doom Bar is also served but with little enthusiasm from the tour guides ,while two guests are also available,Hook Norton Lion and Milton Cleopatra on my trip.
Coors keg beers also available and I spotted the USA craft Blue Moon just waiting for trainman.
Lots of breweriana on the walls,and the bar can get busy at the end of tours.However I would pop in again when next in Burton to sample the excellent Worthington range,shame it is rarely seen elsewhere.
On 4th May 2013
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2727 recommendations about 2727 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Old Boots left this review about Brewery Tap
Smart modern style bar and restaurant housed in a single storey pavilion like building, open to the public at normal pub hours. As you might expect it is decorated with artefacts from the Brewery Centre, signs from long demolished breweries, bottles in glass and pot and a nice etched window from a Butlers pub. One long L shaped bar with the restaurant in a separate room at the back. The handpumps serve Worthington beers made on-site plus Sharps Doombar and the keg range is courtesy of Molson – Coors. I was told the Red and White Shield can’t be bought on draught anywhere else. Beer quality is excellent but don’t get to the bar just as one of the guided tours is finishing.
On 8th October 2012
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3269 recommendations about 2978 pubs]