Independent Shropshire brewer Joule’s Brewery has unveiled plans for the next chapter of its Birmingham canalside pub, announcing that Waterside Tap will become Gas Street Vaults, the brewery’s newest Birmingham Brewery Tap.

Joule’s acquired the building following the closure of Bistrot Pierre, recognising the potential of one of Birmingham’s most historic canalside sites. Rather than rushing into redevelopment, the brewery chose to spend its first year operating the pub as Waterside Tap, taking time to understand the building, the local community and how the venue could best serve Birmingham for years to come.

Over the past year, the pub has been led by landlords George and Tori, who have helped establish the venue under Joule’s and introduce the brewery to the city. This week, they begin an exciting new chapter of their own as they open The Red Lion, Jewellery Quarter on 14 July 2026, bringing Joule’s latest pub to another part of Birmingham.

With that chapter complete, the brewery is now ready to begin the next. Over the coming months, the building will be transformed into Gas Street Vaults, a characterful Joule’s Brewery Taphouse celebrating exceptional beer, classic pub hospitality and the remarkable history of the building itself.

The new name pays tribute to the site’s past. Once home to the Birmingham Canal Company, the building stood above the canal where boats carrying coal and goods passed beneath, with tolls collected within the original vaults. The new identity reflects both that heritage and the pub’s prominent position on Birmingham’s iconic waterways.

The project is not about extensive structural alterations, but about revealing the character that’s already there. The venue will be repositioned from a former restaurant into a traditional pub, with a central bar becoming the heart of the building, distinctive rooms inspired by Birmingham’s industrial heritage and Victorian taverns, and welcoming spaces designed for everything from a quick pint to celebrations, private dining and long afternoons with friends.

Alongside Joule’s award-winning beers, Gas Street Vaults will serve a menu of classic British pub dishes, Sunday roasts and seasonal specials, creating a pub that does food exceptionally well. The design from Joule’s includes reclaimed materials, historic brewery artefacts and carefully considered details will celebrate both Birmingham’s industrial story and Joule’s Shropshire brewing heritage.

“As an independent brewery, we have to be patient with projects like this. We save for them, we plan carefully and we only invest when we know we can do something properly. Spending the past year in the building has given us the confidence to move forward and create the pub we always believed it could become. We’re incredibly grateful to George and Tori for everything they’ve done over the past year. They’ve helped us establish ourselves in Birmingham and we’re delighted to see them begin their next chapter at The Red Lion, Jewellery Quarter. Now it’s our turn to begin the next chapter for this wonderful building.”

Vicky Colclough, Managing Director, Joule's Brewery

“Seeing Joule’s beers being enjoyed beside Birmingham’s canals over the past year has been incredibly rewarding. It’s one of Birmingham’s great waterside locations and we’re excited to finally give the building its permanent identity as Gas Street Vaults. As a small independent brewery from Shropshire, we’re incredibly proud to be investing in Birmingham. Gas Street Vaults will become our Birmingham Brewery Tap, somewhere that celebrates the city’s remarkable history while staying true to everything we believe makes a proper pub; great beer, honest food, warm hospitality and spaces full of character.”

Georgia Charlton-Briggs, Brand Manager, Joule's Brewery

Unlike Waterside Tap, Gas Street Vaults will operate as a managed house, allowing Joule’s to build a brand-new team dedicated to bringing the brewery’s vision for the pub to life.

Recruitment will begin shortly while the development is underway, with opportunities across management, kitchen and front-of-house roles. The brewery is looking for the original members of the Gas Street Vaults team, offering the rare opportunity to help launch a brand-new Joule’s pub from day one.

Joule’s has a strong track record of creating successful managed houses. In 2025, The Crown Wharf in Stone was named Best Pub in Britain at the Great British Pub Awards, recognising the brewery’s commitment to exceptional hospitality and pub experiences.

Work on Gas Street Vaults will begin over the coming months, with the pub expected to open in early 2027.

As the project progresses, Joule’s Brewery will share regular updates, giving customers a behind-the-scenes look at the transformation and inviting them to follow the journey as one of Birmingham’s most distinctive canalside buildings becomes the brewery’s newest destination pub.

Anyone wanting to experience Joule’s latest work in Birmingham can visit The Red Lion, Jewellery Quarter, which opens on 14 July 2026, offering a glimpse of the brewery’s approach to restoring and creating characterful city pubs