Battle of the Beers: Southsea Craft Beer Tasting at Piecaramba

Battle of the Beers is an intimate, guided craft-beer tasting held in Southsea, Portsmouth. Meeting at Piecaramba, 116 Albert Road, Southsea, PO4 0JS, this three-hour evening event gathers a small group of beer fans to sample six bold new releases, learn tasting techniques, and vote for a crowd favorite. The format is lively and social: a resident beer expert pours each generous tasting, talks through the style and production notes, and hands out tasting cards and scoresheets so everyone can compare impressions. This event highlights what makes Portsmouth's drinking scene interesting - small brewers experimenting with crisp, hazy, punchy, and even rebellious styles, and local venues like Piecaramba collaborating to bring them to the public. The social setup (maximum six guests) keeps the tone conversational: expect side-by-side comparisons, friendly debates, and a final prize draw that sends someone home with an extra memory. What to expect: arrive ten minutes early for a 7pm start; tastings continue through the night and the event wraps up at 10pm after the prize draw. The host recommends cash for the optional prize draw and notes a Challenge 25 ID policy—this event is strictly 18+. Pie and pint deals run alongside the tasting, and craft beer cans are available for purchase at the bar if you want to bring a favorite home. Why book it: Battle of the Beers is run by local enthusiasts on a not-for-profit basis, so the focus is pure flavor and community rather than markup. For visitors, the night is a quick, friendly way to meet locals, sharpen tasting vocabulary, and sample bottlings you might not find in national pubs. The format also works well for a casual date night, a small celebration, or a relaxed learning session for anyone curious about beer styles. Logistics and etiquette: there are no refunds, spaces are limited to six, and allergies should be declared in advance. Wear whatever you're comfortable in—this is a pub environment rather than a formal tasting room—and leave space in your evening for conversation. If you want to continue exploring, Albert Road's independent bars and nearby Southsea Common make for a pleasant post-tasting stroll. Expect a relaxed, slightly noisy pub atmosphere where the emphasis is on tasting and conversation rather than formal lecture. The meeting point, Piecaramba at 116 Albert Road, sits within walking distance of Southsea rail and frequent bus routes; street parking is limited, so plan to arrive by foot or public transport. Notify the hosts about allergies when booking and bring ID for onsite verification.