Last summer we learned that a new microbrewery and taproom was being planned just around the corner in one of the railway arches. As time went on, no brewery appeared and nothing seemed to be happening so we just assumed it was vapourware and/or had been impacted by the plague.
Last Friday, on the way back from Moor we noticed people outside one of the arches...and people inside. There seemed to be beer tanks and seating and stuff - and it looked bright and welcoming. It looked for all the world like a soft-opening. We'd already done our beer for the day, anyhow, but we marked it down and decided we'd come back as soon as we could.
Then one of our friends, DrP, messaged me with a link to a news story. It indicated the place would be open imminently. It's called Little Martha.
Yesterday, I was feeling much recovered from my very mild cold which really only lasted 3 days (maybe the old advice of taking it easy and just managing symptoms with drugs rather than fighting through it actually works!) so suggested that we pop out and give it a try.
It is the closest beer place to our flat - closer, even, than the Barley Mow - right next to the pasty shop, so about a 5 minute gentle amble (probably 3 minute power-walk).
There were about half a dozen people when we went in.
They had two tank beers, two kegs and two guests - pretty impressive.
The chaps behind the bar were friendly and engaging and the atmosphere immediately felt right.
Since two-thirds is now our measure of choice, we got a couple of their own least strong beer and sat at a comfy booth.
There was a slight tang of emulsion in the air which suggested that their last bits of setting up had been very recent indeed - it actually made me smile.
Being building material nerds we found ourselves looking at the fit-out admiringly. Pretty humble materials have been marshalled, along with a simple decoration scheme to make the whole place feel really well designed and light and airy. Really impressed at the numbers of loos, too - which are so often an afterthought.
Anyhow - the beer is really the most important thing and it's really good. We assumed the brewer had come from another of the local breweries - but in chatting he told us this is his first venture of brewing for anyone else. In the past, we've observed that initially ex-home brewers' beers tend to taste a bit like homebrew. Not the case here.
In all we tried three of their four own beers (time didn't allow us to try the stout) and we're keen to add it to our regular haunts. As we observed - there are now the following taprooms within about 20 mins walk of the flat (in no particular order):
Little Martha, Moor, LHG x 2, Tapestry, Newtown/Verdant, Good Chemistry, King Street (8)
increase that radius to 40 mins and you can add
New Bristol, Wiper and True, Fierce and Noble, Lost and Grounded, Bristol Beer Factory (5)
All I can say is I'm sending mental entreaties to Arbor in case they might consider their own taproom.
Welcome Little Martha - you're in really good company and already holding your own. If only we were here more often you'd probably see us very frequently indeed.
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