Quirky natural wines and game topped homemade pizzas using local produce are also on the menu at Olaf's Tun Craft Ale Bar in Portsmouth Road.

The pub was originally opened in 2016 and was given the Viking name for Woolston.

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King Olaf invaded in 995AD and camped on the Eastern shore of what is now the River Itchen.

Olaf's Tun ran successfully until 2020, and then had to close as the start of the Covid pandemic forced pubs to close their doors to punters.

When the previous owners were looking to sell, Rob and Marielle Price jumped at the chance to take on their own pub and were handed the keys in November 2020.

After a quick refurbishment, all carried out by Rob and his father Kim, they reopened their doors less than a month later and have been trading in whatever capacity they've been allowed to ever since, joined by Freya behind the bar, as well as beloved pub dogs Alfie and Monty.

Rob and Marielle explained: "Opening in a pandemic was quite challenging! While it may not have been ideal, everything fell into place for us to be able to take over Olaf’s Tun in November 2020, and we couldn’t miss the opportunity!

"We did a full refurb of the pub, including building and installing a cellar, in three weeks, and managed to open for a week in December, before the country went back into lockdown. January to April 2021 saw us offering a home delivery service on beer, which operated seven days a week and travelled to places including Warsash, Romsey, Hedge End...anywhere where people wanted beer!

"We meet such a wide range of interesting people, and the community here at Olaf’s really rallied around us as new owners, and offered us so much support during lockdown."

Olaf's Tun is the only independent pub in Woolston, allowing Rob and Marielle to buy a wider range of products and be able to support local breweries and producers.

Cask Ale is the most popular drink with an ever changing selection from local breweries and the best of what they can source from elsewhere. They also offer a great range of keg beers, including a lager from Unity Brewing in Southampton, cans and bottles, alongside ciders, a range of unique wines, spirits and soft drinks.

They serve up pizzas using homemade dough and tomato sauce and steamed buns, all made on site. The pizza topped with game in blackberry barbecue sauce using meat from Kempton's butchers in Bitterne is always a winner.

The pub's busiest ever day was during Woolston Beer Festival when a queue snaked down the street despite the rain.

A ladies night was held to celebrate International Women's Day last week and various special evenings, such as Wings Wednesday and a craft club once a month, are in the pipeline.

As well as a friendly and welcoming atmosphere inside, there is a small space on the pavement outside Olaf's Tun with two tables and seating for up to eight beer lovers.

• Olaf's Tun Craft Ale Bar is our pub of the week this week. If you'd like us to feature your watering hole in our regular Friday column in paper and online, click on the link below or email lorelei.reddin@dailyecho.co.uk