Portsmouth pub with unusual name celebrates more than a decade of beer festivals

Bill Alderman, left, and Howard Davis enjoying the winter beer festival at the Rose In June pub, Milton Road.
Picture: Chris Moorhouse — Bill Alderman, left, and Howard Davis enjoying the winter beer festival at the Rose In June pub, Milton Road. Picture: Chris Moorhouse | JPIMedia Resell

REGULARS at a historic pub in Portsmouth have toasted the inn at its latest beer festival - celebrating more than a decade of the event.

The Rose In June, in Milton Road, served more than nine guest beers and seven ciders from Friday to Sunday, as the festival celebrated its 11th year.

Landlord Paul Taylor, who has been at the public house for 17 years, said Portsmouth is building a ‘circuit’ of regular pub festivals for beer lovers to attend.

The 47-year-old said: ‘We have regulars come in from across the area for the festival, and some people come in after going to the Gosport beer festival.

Angie Dunne with a small porter
Picture: Chris Moorhouse (010320-57) — Angie Dunne with a small porter Picture: Chris Moorhouse (010320-57) | JPIMedia Resell

‘There is a circuit people do now.’

The landlord’s enthusiasm for good beer drew devoted regulars keen to support their local, according to attendee Tim Reynolds.

The 62-year-old said: ‘Everyone is here to support their local pub.

‘Here you get good beer and good service – you feel comfortable here.

Trevor Keane, left, and Lee Baxter
Picture: Chris Moorhouse (010320-53) — Trevor Keane, left, and Lee Baxter Picture: Chris Moorhouse (010320-53) | JPIMedia Resell

‘That's what pubs should be about – and some one who knows his beer.

‘You want an enthusiast for beer, and that's what Paul is.’

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Paul was enthusiastic for people to try one beer in particular during the weekend.

From left, Terry Laud, Helen Spain and Dean Pullom
Picture: Chris Moorhouse (010320-54) — From left, Terry Laud, Helen Spain and Dean Pullom Picture: Chris Moorhouse (010320-54) | JPIMedia Resell

He said: ‘My favourite at the moment is Winter is Coming.

‘I'm not a Game of Thrones fan – I just love the taste of it.’

But the landlord didn't come to the city boozer to fulfil his own ambition of serving great beer.

He said: ‘My wife is a former barmaid - always wanted to do it.

‘I used to be a falconer. Working here is a little different.

Paul added: ‘It’s a good little pub – the more you put in to it, the more you get out of it.’

Built in 1865, the pub is one of just two pubs in the UK to have the name the Rose In June, with the other being Shepherd Neame’s venue in Margate.

The name is believed to refer to a former landlord's daughter, Rose, who died in the pub, according to the Paul.

The was a pub named The Rose in June, in Selsmore Avenue, Hayling Island – but the 165-year-old pub closed in 2013.

The Milton public house continues to attract regulars taking part in its active pub sports teams, including four women’s darts teams, two men’s darts teams, and two mixed pool teams.

The Rose In June aims to hold a summer beer festival, serving 40 real ales, in June.