Gloucester might be best known for its majestic cathedral, canal-side charm, and Roman roots—but behind the historic facades and Cotswold stone lies a growing BBQ scene with some serious smoke game.
Whether it’s pulled from a street food trailer, carved fresh in a rustic smokehouse, or stacked high in a riverside pub, brisket in Gloucester is slow-cooked, tender, and packed with bold, meaty flavour. And let’s be real—there’s something undeniably comforting about a hot brisket sandwich after a day exploring the docks.
🐂 1. The BBQ Society – Gloucester Quays
Tucked into the buzzing Gloucester Quays food scene, The BBQ Society delivers authentic American-style brisket with UK-grown soul. Their brisket is smoked for up to 16 hours and served sliced or pulled, drenched in smoky-sweet sauces and paired with proper comfort food sides.
This is brisket for brisket lovers—unapologetically messy, deeply satisfying, and full of flavour.
📍 Gloucester Quays, occasional pop-ups and festivals
🔥 Pro tip: Try the brisket melt—brisket, cheese, and onions sandwiched and grilled to gooey perfection.
🛻 2. Smokin’ Bangers – Street Food & Markets
Known across Gloucestershire for their loaded BBQ boxes and epic brisket burgers, Smokin’ Bangers bring the heat to local events, markets, and beer festivals. Their brisket is slow-cooked for 12+ hours, with a perfectly seasoned bark and that iconic smoke ring.
You’ll often spot them at the Gloucester Farmers’ Market or local brewery nights—just follow the scent.
📍 Mobile – follow their social pages for locations
🔥 Pro tip: The “Dirty Brisket Fries” are a must—topped with brisket, cheese sauce, jalapeños, and crispy onions.
🍖 3. The Tall Ships Tavern – Gloucester Docks (BBQ Nights)
This waterside pub adds a smoky twist to its traditional offerings with seasonal BBQ nights. Their brisket is cooked in-house over applewood, sliced thick, and served with proper pub-style trimmings like chunky chips, grilled corn, and house slaw.
Pair it with a pint of local ale and a view of the docks, and you’ve got yourself a perfect Gloucester evening.
📍 Gloucester Docks
🔥 Pro tip: Book in advance for BBQ events—they fill up fast, especially in summer.
🍺 4. DEYA Brewery x Brisket Bros – Gloucester/Stroud Collabs
While DEYA Brewery is based just down the road in Cheltenham, they often host BBQ collabs with mobile smoke units, including Brisket Bros and other brisket legends from around the region. When they pop up in Gloucester or Stroud, it’s a BBQ + craft beer dream come true.
Expect juicy brisket in brioche buns, loaded on nachos, or stacked in trays with local ales on tap.
📍 Rotating events – follow DEYA & local BBQ vendors online
🔥 Pro tip: Brisket + hazy IPA = a smoky, hoppy match made in foodie heaven.
🧡 Honourable Mention: Gloucester’s Hidden Smoke Scene
Some of Gloucester’s best brisket isn’t always on a menu—it’s at pop-up events, food trucks at farm shops, or hidden gems in nearby villages. You’ll often find top-tier brisket at:
- Gloucestershire beer festivals
- Street food events at Kingsholm Stadium
- Village pub BBQ weekends in nearby Longlevens or Highnam
There’s a good chance someone’s got a smoker going just around the corner, especially during summer.
🥩 Why Brisket, Though?
Because when it’s done right, brisket is meat magic. Smoked low and slow for 12–16 hours, it becomes tender, juicy, and full of smoky depth. Add a well-seasoned crust (the “bark”), and you’ve got yourself the holy grail of BBQ.
In Gloucester, you’ll find brisket cooked with passion, patience, and plenty of local flavour—the perfect food for chilly days, long walks, or post-pint cravings.
✨ Final Thoughts: Smoke Rises in the Severn Valley
With its blend of historic charm and modern foodie energy, Gloucester is a surprisingly great place to get your brisket fix. Whether you’re by the water, in a pub garden, or chasing a food truck down a cobbled street, there’s smoky brilliance waiting to be devoured.
So next time you’re in town, skip the usual—and follow the smoke.
Know a hidden brisket hero in Gloucester or the Cotswolds? Let us know—we’re hungry, curious, and always ready to taste-test.