East Anglia

Brewery Tap

Peterborough, Cambridgeshire

The Brewery Tap bills itself as Europe's largest brew pub. Customers can view Oakham Ales' 35-barrel capacity brewhouse through a large plate-glass window in one corner of the pub, but there are plenty of other reasons for visiting the Tap.

It is home to a dozen cask beers: three permanents from Oakham, eight guest ales, and an ever-present mild - Elgood's Black Dog. The rest of the drinks offering is equally impressive, comprising premium spirits with a comprehensive range of whiskies and bourbons, numerous bottled beers including imported Belgian brands, and a good wine list.

Plenty to choose from

The Tap specialises in Thai food and employs Thai chefs to authenticate the offering. There is a large screen for sports lovers and plenty of leather sofas to relax upon.

On Fridays and Saturdays, the tempo increases with acoustic music, band nights or DJs playing a wide variety of genres - soul, Motown, funk, rhythm and blues, or whatever the customers fancy.

With so much choice, it is hardly surprising that the Tap attracts people of all ages and walks of life. Bar manager Jessica Loock notes: "We never discriminate as to who is welcome. We are very proud that everyone feels comfortable, relaxed and welcome here."

An uncertain future

This approach has resulted in a healthy growth in trade over the past year. Drink sales rose by 13% and food sales went up by 12%, taking the Tap past the £1m turnover mark.

General manager Stuart Wright says a significant contributory factor to this growth has come from attracting females in to the pub. He remarks: "We were female-friendly long before everyone jumped on the bandwagon. We have done a lot to introduce young people, especially women, to real ale."

The only cloud hanging over the freehouse is that it stands in the way of a new shopping centre. Locals have banded together to save it from the demolition crews, but whether they can succeed against the planners is anyone's guess at present.