As I write this on 14th May, the Taproom is open for outdoor seating only, and can accommodate around 50 people. Tables need to be booked in advance. They have a very handy covered area than runs down the side of the building, where most of the tables can be moved in bad weather, to still allow a decent outdoor experience.
The current outside seating is table service, and provides a decent range of draft and canned SG beer, as well as a couple of slushie machines, perfect for the SG Wrecker Series.
Parked at the front of the brewery there is a pizza truck, which is fired up every weekend. Beverage options are planned to increase following the opening of a cocktail and barista bar in the near future.
Now, is where things get a bit less clearly defined…
The guys are working hard to finish an indoor seating area, within the shadow of the brewing equipment. This decent space should seat perhaps 40 people. More exciting still, is the work going on the vast mezzanine level, which will ultimately become an events
space with a large dedicated bar, but also a games area, a merch shop, coffee bar and music stage. Current plans are to have this open in mid-summer, perhaps as early as July.
The final phase of development will see the south-facing (and Fratton Park facing) rear of the brewery developed with a further bar, and raised beer terrace, which will be a great sun trap, overlooking the football ground, to soak up the sounds (if not the sights) of match-days.
Next time you are on the South Coast, make sure you schedule a trip to this great facility.
