The Steel Tank Alehouse

22/12/2022

Steel Tank Update 22/12/22: Temporarily Closed Due To Staff Illness

Well we were hoping to break our Facebook hiatus with more positive news!

After nearly 3 years Covid has eventually worked it's way through the entire family this week. To be fair it's really no surprise as nearly everybody we know has had or just got over some form of lurgy.

As is our (and much of the industries) luck at the moment it couldn't come at a more frustrating time as we are geared up with a cellar bursting with brilliant beer and it being our consistently busiest and profitable period.

It also coincides with our 5th Birthday (more on that another time) where we had some extra special bits and pieces up our sleeve.

So yep, it's sh*t, we all feel rank but at this time of the year and especially with how tough out there it is for so many we're still thankful we are in a relatively good place.

We hope you all have brilliant festive period and are cautiously optimistic we might see you before the end of 2022, we'll update as and when.

In the meantime we will always thoroughly recommend visiting our mates Olaf's Tun Craft Ale Bar (Woolston) and The Bookshop Alehouse (Portswood) amongst many others :)

Much love and cheers!

07/04/2021

STEEL TANK UPDATE: 7/4/21

Evenings Folks.

Hope you are all keeping well and had a great bank holiday.

We have received a monumental amount of e-mails and messages in the last few weeks prodding for an update. Apologies for the delay and the following chunky write up but there is a fair bit to catch up on.

Firstly we are all okay (touch wood) and both vulnerable members of the family have had at least their first jab which is bloody brilliant!

Takeaway sales: Under the current lockdown restrictions we have not been able to open for takeaway. It’s gutting and denied us revenue that really helped us get through the last year as it was superbly supported by so many of you. As frustrating as it is, we appreciate a collective close down was likely for a majority of small businesses and fully anticipated there would be limitations on how we could operate. After Monday’s announcement it looks like we will be able to resume this very soon. We will update as and when after we get thumbs up from the authorities, we can't imagine there will be any issues.

Outside drinking: For a short period we were able to host a limited capacity on the grassed area at the front with plenty of laborious stipulations that relied on hard work and good grace from a lot of people. Unfortunately the way we had to operate that space handed some long term detractors a stick to beat us with. We went above and beyond to make it work harmoniously but sadly the proposed incoming restrictions on service and changing circumstances means it’s no longer feasible. Rest assured we have looked at every angle on this. So no – *we won’t be hosting outside drinking as of next week* like most pubs in the Ford so it seems – fair play to those ambitious of you that have been trying to book a table!


Lack of updates: Honestly there hasn’t been a tremendous amount to say that hasn’t been put more eloquently elsewhere. We have actively tried to detach ourselves from social media a bit and feel better for it. Lots of our friends and colleagues at other venues have been very transparent and vocal about how they are navigating the current situation and venting their spleen but that’s not really our way. Yet another publican's self indulgent ramblings on Facebook won’t add much insight, we promise!

Re-opening for onsite drinking: We aren’t 100% when and how as it stands. If the last 12 months have taught hospitality anything it’s that things have a habit of deteriorating fairly rapidly so we are approaching the proposed dates with caution as certain aspects seem very ambiguous and we fully expect a curve ball that might change everything we have tentatively planned for.

BUT we have been carrying out a sizable amount of work that has been keeping us busy and will mean when the time comes we are good to go. We think most will approve when it’s all done. We’re investing heavily to make the Tank everything we’ve wanted it to be whilst prioritising safety and long term viability.

If it does play out with the easing of restrictions as it currently reads we have some decisions to make on how we operate. It will likely mean for an initial period of time cautious beer line ups, hours being tweaked, no children and predominantly table bookings (sigh). As much as we are very keen, it’s going to take a bit of patience to get things running smoothly for us both sides of the bar and probably a few dry runs to get things right. Inevitably if history is anything to go by whatever way we do things there will be abject criticism and those demanding we bend the rules. We have played things straight from day one and will continue to do so. Too many establishments have let the side down and we aren’t going to be one of them.

We’d like to reiterate that The Steel Tank is our livelihood. We aren’t a part of a pub co or chain. We don't have a string of investors or dozens of staff on zero hour contracts. None of us have been “on furlough”. We are a fully independent family run pub that has an intimate capacity. This is what used to make us strong and competitive but now is a real challenge to navigate with how the world currently is. We have had to balance what we want to do with what we can actually do whilst keeping everybody safe and adapting to the continually changing demands put on our trade as a whole. At times it’s been a chore to keep positive.

But as much as this year has taken it out of us we are aware so many have had it infinitely worse than we can comprehend. That’s why we have chosen to keep a bit of a low profile, be thankful for the position we are in and focus on getting ready for pulling those pints again.

Fortunately it looks like it won’t be too long to wait now!

Thanks for your ongoing support and understanding. Really means a lot.

Much love and cheers!

28/12/2020

The Steel Tank Alehouse is very proud to be kit sponsor of Eastleigh FC striker Tyrone Barnett.

Congrats on your man of the match award today live on BT Sport. Don't sweat the post match interview mate, it's been that kind of year!

FYI it's a total coincidence Tyrone once played for AFC Wimbledon... ;)

“Quality this from Tyrone Barnett of 😂 https://t.co/WuAfKNzojW”

25/12/2020

*MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM ALL OF US AT THE STEEL TANK*

A massive thank you to Fi for her wonderful painting, the precinct has never been made to look so Parisian! :) We will soon be able to start a gallery with her incredible gifts!

Quick reminder we are here 12 - 2.30 today for a chilled out session if you fancy a couple of fresh pints or tinnies or just to stretch your legs.

We have a fresh couple of firkins of The Flower Pots Brewery Goodens Gold & Cheriton Porter on the go! Plus some Dark Star Brewing Co and Siren Craft Brew left. Oh and just a Verdant Brewing Co on keg..!

And just as a side note we aren't 100% what we can/can't do or how as of tomorrow. We are going to take a couple of days out and see how the land lies. When we know, you'll know.

Much love & CHEERS!

29/10/2020

We are absolutely chuffed to be in the CAMRA - the Campaign for Real Ale Good Beer Guide for the third year in a row!

All we ever wanted to do was serve some good beer to Chandler's Ford - our family home for 30+ years. Seeing our name in the guide means the world. Seeing our name as back to back pub of the year winners knocks our socks off and fills us with pride everytime we see those awards.

A special thanks to shantscamra for their certificate awarded to us for sales of cask beer and cider during lockdown. Was a pleasure.

Your continued support has driven us on through 20-bloody-20. We are all looking forward to those better times. They *are* coming and when they do we will be waiting there to pour you a pint. :)

CHEERS.
Team Steel Tank

01/07/2020

1/7/20: Steel Tank Update:

We will NOT be "re-opening" on the 4th July or in the immediate future. *TAKEAWAY SERVICE WILL CONTINUE*

Many of you who came in over the last weekend would have seen our notice regarding the lifting of restrictions on pubs and where that puts The Tank. We thought it was about time to share on here. *Deep intake of breath*:

We estimate it would require 3 staff members to potentially serve 10-15 customers (max) to function adequately within the guidelines. Frankly this is/was never going to be viable. With the additional alterations, administration and potential litigation involved it would mean we have an awful lot to lose and not a lot to gain.

Our usual product range would have to significantly drop as a cask orientated establishment, hours would have to be restricted and capacities would be a nightmare to manage. Some have been known to get arsey if we only have 16 of the 17 lines of beer/cider on, when it’s 1 in 1 out as there is 75+ inside or that we stop serving at 10pm – we could only imagine the response (from some) to the methods that would have to be put in place to be compliant in such a small venue.

Also, and most importantly, as it stands we don’t think we would be able to sufficiently guarantee the safety of our family, co-workers and customers especially as a licensed premises. This is the most significant issue and as many of my colleagues in the trade have already said “people over pound notes”.

Rest assured since March we have looked at every possible way that we could open again in some resemblance of normality from mass alterations to even investigating taking a short term rental of a larger property where distancing would be easier. None of these ideas we could make work in reality. The landscape regarding hospitality changes daily so we will continue to explore all options as and when we can.

So, for the foreseeable our aspiration of returning to an intimate and convivial pub with a large range of beer might not be achievable but we are very much looking forward to the time it is.

Due to great backing from the majority of you in the past 2.5 years-odd and the fantastic response to our takeaway/delivery service means we are in a great position and can ride out this storm, no matter how long it takes. We honestly can’t tell you how much your support has been appreciated and picked us up on some pretty down days.

Our takeaway service will keep going as long as it's workable. I will post this week’s selection later tonight.

Much love, stay safe and cheers!

Adam and the team! X

09/04/2020

9/4/20 UPDATE:
Thank you for the e-mails, messages, calls and texts over the last few weeks. We have been inundated across the board so apologies if we were not able to get back to you - as wonderful as that has been it's made it a bit difficult to keep up with. A combination of delivering to some of our vulnerable customers, a hell of a lot of paper work and preparing the pub for a potentially long close down means it’s been a pretty hectic time.

We are aware a lot of our friends, colleagues and suppliers are currently providing delivery or collection services and we aren’t. As previously mentioned before two members of our family are at the risk group so as frustrating as this is for all of us you have to put the safety of those close to you first and foremost. With that in mind this is why we have been keeping a low profile for the last few weeks.

We are optimistic that we will be able to get back to doing take-away and delivery very soon. In the meantime we can thoroughly recommend the following outlets:

The Bookshop Alehouse, Alfred's Brewery, Unity Brewing Co Tap, Vibrant Forest Brewery, The Witchs Brew, Eight Arch Brewing Company, The Butcher's Hook, Steamtownbrewco, The Hiltonbury Farmhouse, Beards & Boards, Red Cat Brewing & Belgium and Blues

Have a great Easter. Stay safe and cheers for the support. I thought I’d leave it to Vinnie to say...

20/03/2020

To all that we delivered to today and came in for take-away - thank you! You rinsed 4 full casks and loads of cases of cans and bottles - great work!

We are cautiously optimistic we might be able to do the same tomorrow but everything is up in the air at the moment. We will confirm ASAP.

We were asked many times today if we as a business are "okay" for the foreseeable. We have had 2 great years and are in a very good place and are more than confident we will be seeing you again with full vigour no matter how long it takes. Sadly lots of venues and breweries won't and that's fu***ng heartbreaking...

Thanks again, look after each other and keep safe.

CHEERS!

17/03/2020

17/3/20 STEEL TANK UPDATE:

After the government’s announcement yesterday advising people to avoid pubs it has put ourselves and the industry in an unprecedented situation.

I shall bite my tongue regarding what I think of this approach and the impact it has on ourselves and many colleagues (and friends) in the trade.

After much consideration and intense talks amongst ourselves we do not feel it will be practical for us to remain open as normal for the foreseeable. This is not a decision we have taken lightly and have also sought much advice on the matter

We are now going to explore how we can be pro-active in offering an alternative service to our customers. One option is being open for a period of time for “take-outs only” the other offering a delivery service. We are currently looking at how we could approach both and if they are viable or if there would be sufficient interest.

We are fully aware “life must go on” but as a family run business, with two members in the “at risk” group we have to be mindful of the impact it could have on us and our customers in the long term.

We will update you on here tomorrow where we are at.

Much love and keep safe,
Adam and the team.

13/03/2020

We are absolutely blown away to be named South Hants CAMRA Pub Of The Year, again! :)

Thanks to our branch, those that voted and all our customers for the terrific support.

We are truly humbled.

CHEERS!
Adam & the team.

25/02/2020

Two casks dropped this morning... Cracking!

‪The updated version of Quarterjack is tasting full of chocolate biscuit goodness that we wanted 👌‬

‪Available from our webshop, taproom & Eebriatrade later this week.‬