8 min readBristol is a beer lover's paradise, with over 20 breweries in the city and surrounding countryside, and you'll be pleased to hear that many of them have tap rooms that you can visit!
Not only can you enjoy a great pint, but there's usually the option of booking on to a tour of the brewery too. Most of the brewery taps also welcome dogs if you have your four-legged friend with you. Please check with the breweries for the latest opening information before visiting.
You can also book a craft beer tour of the city every Saturday, or browse a range of brewery tours and tastings via Yuup.
Wiper & True
Visit Wiper & True's stunning taproom in Old Market, with floor-to-ceiling windows, a view over their huge brewing kit and plenty of seating inside and out. As well as plenty of choice when it comes to their beers on tap, you can also order locally made spirits, natural wines and dreamy street food from some of Bristol's best chefs.
You can also visit their brewery in the heart of St Werburghs, where you can take a seat at one of the long tables inside or out the front too. The brewery hosts regular events and markets throughout the year, as well as brewery tours.
Opening hours (Old Market): Wednesday + Thursdays 4-11pm, Fridays 12pm-12am, Saturdays 12pm-12am, Sundays 12-7pm
Opening hours (St Werburghs): Wednesdays & Thursdays 4-9:30pm, Fridays 4pm-12am, Saturdays 12pm-12am, Sundays 12-7pm
Image - Wiper & True taproom in Old Market
Lost & Grounded Brewers
This brewery, on an industrial estate a short walk behind Temple Meads in Brislington, is huge compared to the others! It’s all one room, so when you order at the bar the magnificent German manufactured Krones kit, mostly filled with their very popular lager Keller Pils, towers behind you.
The indoor drinking space at Lost and Grounded's taproom is filled with long tables, and on summer afternoons their front yard is flooded with sunshine, table tennis and pop-up street food stalls.
Opening hours: Fridays 4-10pm, Saturdays 1-9pm
Image - Lost & Grounded's taproom. Credit: Bristol Hoppers
Zerodegrees
This microbrewery and restaurant took Bristolians by surprise when it opened in 2004. The huge, modern building was made for the very purpose of brewing beers to sell directly to the public while they munch on pizzas in the vast dining room. Back then we were surprised by the mango beer and black lager being served, and these same beers are still intriguing people today.
Aside from the big dining room, the huge venue houses a comfy bar area and three outdoor spaces - the balcony has a particularly lovely view of the city skyline and historic Christmas Steps.
Credit: Zerodegrees
King Street Brew House
Sample the award-winning beers made at the on-site brewery, ranging from lagers to stours, or book in a beer tasting in their private Tank Room. This huge pub is also a great place to watch live sport, enjoy an alfresco tipple on the buzzing King Street, or try their latest food pop-up.
Image - King Street Brew House
Brewhouse & Kitchen
Not only can you work your way through an array of beers brewed on site at this pub in Cotham, you can also book onto brewery experiences, beer tastings and masterclasses throughout the year. Private room hire is also available if you're visiting with a group.
Image - Brewhouse & Kitchen
Little Martha Brewing
This cute and cosy brewery tap is set into a railway arch a mere five minute walk from Temple Meads train station, making it a great starting point for a tour of the area's breweries, especially during the East Bristol Brewery Trail.
Moor
Moor Beer's popular brewery tap room opened in 2014 and hosts regular live music and events. In the winter it's a cosy space to hang out playing board games, and in the summer their large outside space is a sun trap teaming with beer drinkers. You can also book a tour of the brewery for a Saturday lunchtime.
Opening hours: Monday - Thursday 11am-4pm (takeaway only), Friday 12-10pm, Saturday 12-8pm.
Credit: Bristol Hoppers
Bristol Beer Factory
Although they've been making beer since 2004 (and this site on North Street in Southville has been used to brew beer since the 1820s) the Bristol Beer Factory taproom is only a few years old.
This comfortable bar, in a separate room in front of the brewery, is a pleasant place to relax and try out their range of quality cask and keg beers while browsing the many bottles and merchandise that take over an entire wall. They also offer wooden paddles with three third glasses, which can be filled with your own draught selections. Studio BBF next door hosts a kitchen pop-up and regular events throughout the week. You can also try a broad selection of their beers at their harbourside pub, Junction.
Opening hours: Monday 12-9pm, Tuesday-Wednesday 12-10pm, Thursday-Saturday 12-11pm, Sunday 12-7pm
Image - Bristol Beery Factory taproom
Left Handed Giant Brewpub
Housed on the site of a former brewery in Finzels Reach, this spectacular bar boasts a large riverside terrace, seating across two floors and a brilliant selection of beer. If you're hungry you can also tuck into very tasty pizzas from Mission Pizza. The Left Handed Giant brewery taproom in St Phillips also hosts events on weekends throughout summer. Brewery tours are available on Wednesdays and Saturdays, booking is essential.
Opening hours: Monday-Tuesday 4pm-midnight, Wednesday-Thursday 12pm-midnight, Friday-Saturday 12pm-1am, Sunday 12pm-12am
Image: Left Handed Giant Brewpub, credit: Finzels Reach
Arbor
Over in Easton, Arbor have a tap room in the yard of their brewery site. The bar has a few delights on draught and a huge range of their large cans to choose from. It certainly won't be difficult to find an ale you'll love here.
Fridays 5-8pm, with extended hours during the East Bristol Brewery Trail.
Credit: Arbor Ales
New Bristol Brewery
This large tap room and brewing school in St Pauls is and extends its opening hours for special events including tours, St Pauls Carnival and screenings of the Six Nations or international football.
Opening hours: Thursday 5-10pm, Friday 4-10pm, Saturdays 12-10pm and Sundays 1-6pm
Credit: New Bristol Brewery
Fierce & Noble
Located next to the M32 in St Werburghs, this tap room is known for its cosy feel. The bar space here is beautifully constructed of dark wood panels taken from on old pub, and the only thing missing is a log fire! Upstairs is a balcony where you can sit with your beer overlooking the brewery itself and in the summer you can sit outside in the yard. Brewery tours are also available on Thursdays.
Opening hours: Wednesday-Thursday 4-10pm, Friday 2-10pm, Saturdays 12-10pm and Sundays 1-7pm
Credit: Bristol Hoppers
Tapestry by PROPS
Bristol’s first disability led brewery, supporting adults with learning difficulties through the art of craft brewing. As well as the tasty beer on offer, you can take part in regular open mic nights and other live entertainment. Brewery tours are available by appointment.
Opening hours: Fridays 4-10pm, Saturdays 12-10pm, Sundays 12-5pm
More brewery tap rooms
Good Chemistry open their tap room for the East Bristol Brewery Trail (and also have their very own pubs, The Good Measure on Chandos Road in Redland and The Kings Head on Victoria Street in the city centre), Basement Beer have a small tap room just off Stokes Croft which is open on Fridays and Saturdays.
You'll find a trio of smaller 'nano' breweries in South Bristol - Bruhaha have a small bar on Wells Road in Totterdown where you can sample their wares, plus a pop-up tap at Windmill Hill City Farm every Friday (as well as other pop-ups across the city). On Point Brewing are based on East Street in Bedminster and appear at regular brewery events around the area.
If you head in the direction of Brislington in East Bristol, you can find the Hop Union Brewery, which does regular tours.
Please check social media before your visit to any of the breweries as opening hours are subject to change, and keep you eye out for Bristol's many special beery events, including the Bristol Craft Beer Festival in summer, or the East Bristol Brewery Trail which takes place on bank holiday weekends throughout the year.
