Cheriton Brewery

Located between Winchester and London this is one of my best loved breweries in the UK. They make beer more in the PNW style.

The Brewery is actually located in a barn across the parking lot from pub. Beers are served out of cask, just using spouts, not beer engines.

Like many UK pubs, it is split into two bars. The inside is a little sparse and the public bar is a little to modern feeling for the building, but the people seem to be having a good time.

The longbeachbum review does a good job of telling you about this place.

They also have some accomatation in another building on site.

I sampled a pint of Cheriton Pots Ale recently whilst back in the UK during my Easter '03 Trip. It brought back extremely fond memories of a weekend trip to the Brewery, coupled with an overnight stay at the Pub, to pick up some of their beers to take back to the Wakefield CAMRA Beer Festival some years earlier.

The Flower Pots was built in the early 1800’s & is an exceptionally presented red-brick building with immaculate gardens. Totally traditional, nothing is bought in from antique shops to bolster the atmosphere – this is a 110% genuine Country Pub.

Set in a breathtakingly beautiful Hampshire Village that is almost small enough to be a Hamlet. Charming & stunningly scenic, it is a priceless unchanged gem of a Country Pub. It is right opposite the Village Cricket Club which it sponsors.

A former Whitbread House, it was purchased by the present owners & in early 1993, they went into partnership & started the Cheriton Brewery which is located in a ‘new’ building, constructed in a sympathetic old barn style, just across the Car Park driveway from the Pub. Nearby the new Brewery building are the converted stables that now house several guest rooms (très cool). This was where we stayed for the night.

The Bar is so traditional that it has no Handpumps, so often the sign of Real Ale. All of the Casks are racked behind the Bar. The beer is all served straight from the Tap - true Gravity Dispense method. This is ultra-rare these days, but what an experience – this is how it once used to be.

The Cheriton beers are top-class; Cheriton Pots Ale (3.8%), Village Elder (3.8%), Best Bitter (4.2%) & Diggers Gold (4.6%) are normally on offer, as well as a Real Cider (Westons). Has Lunchtime & Evening Meals, Real Fires, Country garden style outside drinking area, No Jukeboxes or Fruit Machines – just quality real people & Real Ale served in the traditional fashion. Sheer Ecstacy.

During our night's stay, as the dusk settled, I heard a clicking trample of steely rattling on the outside path. I used to play Cricket, & I knew the sound well. I turned to see the entire Cheriton Cricket Club walking up the path, looking resplendent in their Whites, after their evening practice session. Cricket has been played here since 1841. What a sport!!! – none of this high protein drink crap – these guys wind down with a few Pints of Real Ale whilst sharing stories of Googly’s, Spinners & Leg-Breaks.
- Jolly Good Show Chaps!

A 5-Star, Grade 1, Neck-Hair-Raising, Classic English Country Pub.