Revisit writeup because I feel like it: S3103 The Christchurch

I could have written a previous entry in this theme about the same premises in its prior incarnation, as it was somewhere I had visited a number of times as The Christchurch Inn, but which I previously gave a very brief writeup as The Beer Market, pretty close to ten years ago.

But The Christchurch Inn was basically just a replacement of the name outside, and the addition of a few macro taps after it ceased to be a Galway Bay pub. Galway Bay have since added macro taps to all their remaining pubs; and changed a name on one of them, and those aren't getting rewrites - and that's why I didn't do one then. I believe The Christchurch Inn was actually run by a former manager of the Beer Market at that, but I may be wrong there.

But The Christchurch, no Inn, is quite different now.

In isolation, it isn't that different to what went before, in terms of being a primarily craft beer lineup. With the same blunt viewpoint, isn't that different to what went before that, in that it is run by a craft brewery - Third Barrel. 

The most obvious difference is actually decor - GBB are in to their craft greebling, and it appears that Third Barrel are not. The interior design is uncluttered and simple, but not industrial or dated as simple taproom setups would be. 

Additionally, and probably more importantly, the brewery it is attached to is more daring than GBB in what they produce; and does not have an existing pub estate, and a large former estate, with reputations to live up or down to.

I suspect that Third Barrel do not want this pub to be judged based on either of its predecessors; or compared to Underdog, which had some similar aspects - an online taplist, fairly minimalist decor, and an experienced member of staff in common.  However, I think the core audience of Underdog are very likely to cross the river and end up here. It's fairly convenient for the bus for me, whereas Underdog turned in to taxi time after a few pints and a lack of desire to do the walk, Luas and train combo home.

The pub had only soft opened a few hours before I turned up here for my visit, and I don't think will have have fully opened by the time this writeup is published. There will be food here, in time; but there isn't yet.