Hopwater Cellar, Newcastle-under-Lyme

Small, intimate cellar bar specialising in craft beers on tap, bottled and canned beers from around the world.

Situated on a sloping road, the pub comprises three separate areas; the two drinking areas are to the left and right, while the centre is taken up by the bar, and fridges and shelves of bottles and cans. It is amazing to have such a wide choice in such a small space.

The ten craft taps serve a variety of different styles, from the UK and worldwide, and tend to be unusual rather than mainstream. Some may be real ales dispensed from membrane kegs, depending upon how the brewer intended them to be served. Three fridges and shelves house an amazing range of 400 drinks, featuring a large selection of UK, Belgian and Continental bottled beers, plus over 30 bottled ciders and perries.

Behind the bar a selection of around 100 spirits is available including over 50 premium whiskys and their own gin. Regular tap takeovers by local and regional breweries are a feature.

The bar is dog-friendly with water available on request.

No food is served, but customers are welcome to bring their own sandwiches etc., to consume inside. A range of snacks is also available.

Note the shrine to the landlord's previous life as a computer technician.

AWARDS:

CAMRA Potteries Pub of the Month July 2018.

CAMRA Potteries Pub of the Year 2018 (Merit).

NB - Real ale is available from the bottled beer and can selection including some local breweries, and some of the craft lines may be live beer.