THE LAUNCH of The Outhouse Brewery – Wokingham town centre’s first brewery in nearly 100 years – has been a big success, according to its owner.
The Outhouse Brewery, which offers a micro pub and tap room off Denmark Street, opened its doors to the public on Saturday, July 10, for the first time.
Independently run by Peter Rhodes, it’s the first brewery to launch in Wokingham town centre since Wellington Brewery closed in 1928.
On Thursday, July 8, Mr Rhodes held a private launch for family, friends and supporters before welcoming the general public inside on the weekend — and he said the pub has been very well received by all.
“It was absolutely amazing,” he said.
“Everyone was really supportive and they all said this place was going to do really well.”
The new brewery offers a range of craft beers, including pale ales, IPAs and stouts, as well as wines and spirits which are bought in.
The beers are made on-site in the tap room itself, meaning customers can sit and watch their drinks being made.
“There are craft beers and breweries available on the outskirts of town but this is new to Wokingham,” Mr Rhodes said.
“There’s no place where you can sit in the brewery itself and people are mesmerised by it.”
He said some tables sit so close to the vessels that customers can touch them and hear the machines fermenting the drinks.
Mr Rhodes decided to launch The Outhouse Brewery after being made redundant at the beginning of the pandemic, to turn his casual hobby into his craft.
Now, he said it feels like a weight has been lifted off his shoulders.
“I know I’ve got a long way to go, it’s a big learning curve and I’ve got to understand the logistics of everything,” he said. “But to get to that point where you open the door, a customer has a drink and goes out happy is a massive boost.
“We’ve even got some new people at the Elms Park development who seem to have chosen us as their local already.”
He said he is now looking forward to welcoming more of the town’s customers in the weeks to come.
“I love it when someone comes in and likes the place,” the owner added. “It makes me feel like I’ve done justice to Wokingham.
“I’m just very happy and relieved to get over the hurdles and open the doors.”
For more information on the micro pub, visit www.theouthousebrewery.com or search for ‘The Outhouse Brewery’ on Facebook.
