Bristol has more than 20 breweries in and around the city, and a handful of them run their own taprooms where you can drink right next to the tanks. The best-known are Wiper and True in Old Market, Moor Beer near Temple Meads, Arbor Ales in Easton, Fierce and Noble in St Werburghs and Good Chemistry in St Philip's. None of them are in the main tourist centre, so this is a guide for people happy to walk or bus out a bit for a better pint.
Bristol's beer scene grew up away from the postcard sights, in the old industrial pockets east and south-east of the centre. That's most of the appeal: you're drinking in a working brewery, not a themed bar, and the crowd is mostly local.
Wiper and True: Old Market
Wiper and True's taproom sits at the eastern end of Old Market in a modern industrial unit, with floor-to-ceiling windows looking over the working brew kit. It's one of the more polished taprooms in the city, with a beer garden and pizza from Pig's Pizza on site. Wiper and True's beers lean balanced and food-friendly rather than extreme, which makes it a good starting point if you're new to the scene. It's about a 10-minute walk from Temple Meads or Cabot Circus.
Moor Beer: near Temple Meads
Moor Beer's taproom is a short walk from Temple Meads station, which makes it the easiest one to fit around a train journey. It's one of the most respected microbreweries in Bristol, and by reputation carries one of the largest beer selections of any taproom in the city, spanning cask and keg. Good pick if you want a wide range to work through rather than a fixed handful.
Arbor Ales: Easton
Arbor has been brewing since 2007 and has grown into one of the bigger names in UK craft beer. Its taproom sits in the yard of the Easton brewery, with a rotating draught selection alongside a large range of cans to take away. Easton is further out than the others on this list, a bus ride or a longer walk from the centre, so it suits a dedicated trip more than a quick stop.
Fierce and Noble: St Werburghs
Based in St Werburghs with a boldly painted taproom, Fierce and Noble specialises in modern, seasonal beers with a focus on hop-driven styles. It's a newer name than Wiper and True or Arbor, and the taproom has a rawer, more experimental feel to match the beer. St Werburghs itself is worth the trip regardless, it's the neighbourhood with Bristol's community farm and city farm.
Good Chemistry: St Philip's
Good Chemistry brews flavour-forward, hop-driven beers from a base in St Philip's, close to the harbourside industrial belt east of the centre. Its taproom is a popular stop for trying the newest releases before they reach bottle shops and pubs elsewhere in the city.
If you'd rather not brewery-hop: The Beer Emporium and bottle shops
Not every visit needs a trip out to a working brewery. Bristol's specialist beer shops and bars stock most of these breweries' output alongside others from further afield, so a single stop in the centre covers a decent cross-section if your time's tight.
Comparing the taprooms
| Brewery | Area | Distance from centre | Known for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wiper and True | Old Market | Short walk | Balanced, food-friendly beers, beer garden |
| Moor Beer | Near Temple Meads | Short walk | Wide range, easiest for a train stopover |
| Arbor Ales | Easton | Bus or longer walk | Big-name UK craft brewery, large can range |
| Fierce and Noble | St Werburghs | Bus or longer walk | Modern, hop-forward, experimental |
| Good Chemistry | St Philip's | Short to moderate walk | Flavour-forward, newest releases |
Practical bits: hours and getting home
Most of these taprooms run shorter hours than a standard pub, often opening from Thursday or Friday through the weekend rather than every day, and some run food, quizzes or live music on top, so it's worth checking the brewery's own site or social pages for the day you're going before you set off. None of them are far from a bus route, but if you're finishing late in Easton, St Werburghs or St Philip's and don't fancy the walk back, it's worth comparing a car home rather than just taking the first one that pulls up. WeKnowBristol is published by the Tick Taxi group, and we still price and list its competitors honestly in our taxi companies compared guide and our taxi price survey.
The honest alternative
If you've only got time for one, Wiper and True in Old Market is the easiest to reach and the most complete experience: good beer, food on site, and a short walk from the centre. Save Arbor Ales and Fierce and Noble for a trip where getting out to Easton or St Werburghs is part of the plan rather than a detour.