Phil and Sheryl Stenning have created a small, community focused craft beer and real ale bar, The Portcullis Taphouse in Portchester precinct. 

The pub boasts regular street food pop ups, a community cheeseboard on a Sunday, a wall mural, and events, including Halloween and Oktoberfest parties.

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Owner and landlord Phil said: "We sell beers and ales from smaller producers rather than big breweries. Focusing on quality over quantity, we also have a big range of artisan spirits, unique cocktails, real ciders, wine and soft drinks.

"We have passion for brewing our own beers and have produced them in collaboration with local breweries.

Phil and Sheryl, who started brewing as Portcullis Brewing Co. this year, are waiting to hear if a planning application to have their own microbrewery on site at The Portcullis has been given the go ahead. It could see them brewing their own craft beer and real ale by next summer.

It would  be a big step forward for the venue, which opened its doors in December 2021 after two years of research and knowledge gathering by Phil, a former gas engineer. 

Covid nearly put paid to his plans and 2023 has been a tough year amid the cost of living crisis, but The Portcullis Taphouse is going from strength to strength with regular live music, from the likes of Irish rockers The Plastic Shamrocks and Skarn with their acoustic rock covers, quizzes and meat draws. 

Phil added: "This year in particular has been really tough. There have been a few times where I have wondered if we would see it to our second birthday. But, we are lucky we have a very loyal customer base who come in week in week out.

"We are known for our passion for craft beer and real ale. We have served around 800 different beers since we opened. We have a great diversity of events, but most of the time its just being that cosy, friendly place where you can have a good beer in good company and forget about the world for a few hours."