Vibrant Forest is a local, New Forest based brewery based near Dibden. Since their inception in 2021 the brewery has grown continuously, & in 2024 they expanded their venture by opening The Vibrant Tap bar in Lyndhurst.

The Vibrant Tap replaced Surfing Moo Moo at number 16 on Lyndhurst High Street, which had previously replaced Starskys. On average, number 16 has seen a new tenant every three years. Is the building cursed? Could Vibrant Forest finally end this losing streak? Or is it only possible for businesses to survive on the high street by becoming a money laundering operation?

So, how does The Vibrant Tap plan on staying afloat?

For starters, through a wide range of craft beers. They’ve got the kind of exciting selection you’d typically see at one of those hipster bars in a big city. Obviously they also stock their own beer & merch, making it a sort of shop for the brewery.

They’ve also partnered with the folks at Nova Forest Kitchen to provide food, making The Vibrant Tap a unique 2 business venue where the food is covered by one company & the booze is covered by the brewery.

I’m glad to say that it was busy when we went, & hopefully that’s a good longterm sign.

1) How was the booze selection? 🥃

Tim says: “I’m enjoying this one… [proceeds to tap on the side of some golden liquid] & they’ve got fizzy pops for the children.”

Jake says: “This is disgusting! I want people to know that it’s disgusting because I chose a bad beer, not because of the selection. One of the beers has the word indian in it.”

George says: “No Peroni. I’m not about this indie shit”

2) How good were the chips? 🍟

George says: “£6 for chips is too high regardless of the quality.”

Jake says: “Why do you only get 2 tacos for £16? First time I’ve had 3 choices of chip. Very good.”

3) Cleanliness of the glasses 🍷

Tim: “They’ve even got their own branded glasses.”

Jake: “My ancestors used to be branded with a number. I am a man of jewish decent.”

4) How good are the toilets? 💩

Jake says: “Doors quite tight to get in. Imagine you’re about to shit your pants… that could be a problem.”

5) How were the staff?👩‍🍳

Tim says: “Wifey material.”

Neil says: “I’d snort a line of coke right off her nose.”

6) How was the venue? 🏚

George says: “A mix of contemporary interior trends with country aesthetics to give the perfect ambiance of posh hipster prick.”

7) Overall score 🍻

Jake says: “I have lots of friends, you just can’t see them because they go to a different school.”

George says: “Regardless of the longterm viability of this bar, we’ve had a lovely evening & Tim potentially met his new wife.”

Tim says: “When I was 6 years old me & my friend snooped at his sister when she was getting changed & we saw her boobs. That moment changed me, morphed me into the man you see before you today. At 6 I was a child, by 7 I was a man.”

Neil says: “Why are so many pubs hiring fit staff.”

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Today’s unique fact: Lyndhurst is capital of the New Forest as per my source ChatGPT.