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Sussex Brewers & Beers

There are a good number of excellent breweries in Sussex and as of December 2010 there are four breweries in the Arun and Adur branch area

Some beers are listed and more will follow.

For more details on breweries try Quaffale [This link opens in a new window].

Recently closed breweries may also be listed.

Arun & Adur Breweries

Adur Brewey (Steyning - started brewing April 2008)
Anchor Springs Brewery (Littlehampton - started brewing April 2010)
Dark Star Brewery (Partridge Green)
Fathom & Firkin (Worthing) - closed 1999
Hammerpot Brewery (Poling near Angermering/Hammerpot)
Spinnaker (aka Brewery-on-Sea) (Lancing) - closed 2002

Other Sussex Breweries

1648 (East Hoathly)
Arundel Brewery (Ford)
Beachy Head Brewery (near Eastbourne)
Ballard's Brewery (Nyewood)
Cuckoo Ales (Hastings)
Cuckmere Haven - closed 2003
Custom Beer Company - closed 2008

Fallen Angel (Battle)
First In Last Out (FILO)
Gribble Brewery (Oving)
Harveys (Lewes)
Hepworth & Co (Horsham)
Kemptown (Brighton)
Kissingate (Lower Beeding)
King & Barnes closed 2001 (Horsham)
Langham Brewery (Near Petworth)
Rectory Ales Ltd
Rother Valley
NewSouthdowns Brewery (2011)

Sussex Brewery - closed 2004
Weltons Brewery (Horsham)
White (1066 Brewery)
W.J. King & Co. (Horsham)

1648 Brewery

1648 Brewing Company, Mill Lane, East Hoathly, Lewes, BN8 6QB
Tel (01825) 840830
http://www.1648brewing.co.uk/[This link opens in a new window]

Started brewing September 2003. The brewery is a separate business to the pub, even though the landlord of the pub is one of the co-owners of the brewery, and it occupies the same building. The King's Head is on the High Street, but the entrance to the brewery is on the corner of the adjoining lane. The King's Head is the main outlet for the beer. Beers obviously found in the King's Head and pubs like the Evening Star. 'Signature' recently (May 2004) won the Silver in Best Bitter Category in the SIBA South East Regional Competitionand (June 2004) won the Silver medal in the Beauty of the Hops brewing awards in the dual hop class.

A website (1648 [This link opens in a new window]) has been set-up where, amongst other things, you will be able to find out where the beer has recently been delivered to.

Regular Beers
Original (3.9%)
Signature (4.4%)
Warrant (4.8%)

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Adur BreweryAdur Brewery

info@adurbrewery.com
www.adurbrewery.com [This link opens in a new window]

The Adur Brewery has been brewing since August 2008.

Regular Beers
Merry Andrew (6.2%)
Robbies Red (5.2%)
Velocity (4.4%)
Black William Stout (5.0%)
Ropetackle Golden Ale (3.4%)
Hoptoken: Amarillo (4.4%)

St Cuthmans Red Wheelbarrow (10.5%)

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Anchor Springs Brewery

11D Lineside Way, Lineside Industrial Estate, Littlehampton, West Sussex, BN17 7EH

Anchor Springs started brewing early 2010

Regular Beers
IPA (4.7%)
Sand Bar ()
Red Bridge ()

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Arundel

7c Ford Airfield Industrial Estate Ford, Arundel BN18 0BE
Tel (01903) 733111
arundelbrewery@dsl.pipex.com
www.arundelbrewery.co.uk [This link opens in a new window]

Arundel Brewery was founded in 1992. It was the historic town's first brewery for 70 years, and marked the rebirth of a tradition dating back more than 200 years. The brewery has been under new ownership since 2004, and continues to improve its range of regular and seasonal beers. In 2005, the company began to introduce a range of bottled beers.

Regular Beers
Sussex Mild (3.7%)
Castle (3.8%)
Sussex Gold (4.2%)
ASB (4.5%) - Arundel Special Bitter
Stronghold (4.7%)
Old Knucker (5.5%)

There are also four seasonal beers every month, plus three bottled beers
(Sussex Gold, ASB and Old Knucker).

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Ballard's Brewery

The Old Sawmill, Nyewood, Petersfield GU31 5HA
(01730) 821301
service@ballards-brewery.co.uk
http://ballards-brewery.co.uk [This link opens in a new window]

The first pint was brewed in 1980 in the old cow house the owners Sussex Farm. Originally run by Mike Brown, the brewery expanded & in 1985 moved to The Ballards Pub (now the Elsted Inn) at Elsted Marsh near Midhurst. In 1988 Mike retired from active involvement & Carola took over running the brewery in new premises at The Old Sawmill, Nyewood.

The head brewer is Francis Weston, who has been with Ballard's since 1981, now produces some 1500 gallons of beer per week. All the beers are individually brewed using malted barley milled on the premises, whole flower English hops, yeast & water. No sugars, colourings or additives are used except isinglass finings in the cask to "settle" the yeast sediment.

Visitors are welcome at the brewery to purchase any of the draught or bottle conditioned beers, as well as thier range of tee & sweat shirts, tankards & other merchandise.

The 'Ballards Walk' takes place annually on the first Sunday in December. It used to be the day they launched thier winter beer brewed to the original gavity of the year (e.g. 1999's Pleasure Dooms was 1099 or 9.9%!)

Opening times: Weekdays 8.30 am to 4.00 pm.
Weekends by appointment. Please phone for more information & to order.

Regular Beers:
Midhurst Mild (3.5%)
Trotton Bitter (3.6%)
Ballard's Best (4.2%)
Nyewood Gold (5.0%)
Duadekademon (5.5%)

Seasonal Beers:
Golden Bine (4.2% - Spring)
Wheatsheaf (5% - Summer)
On the Hop (4.5% - Autumn)
Wild (4.7% - Winter) a 'mix' of Wassail and Mild
Wassail (6.0% - Winter)
Foxy (9% - Winter)

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Beachy Head Brewing Co Ltd

Seven Sisters Sheep Centre, Birling Manor Farm, Birling Gap Road, East Dean, Eastbourne BN20 0AA

Started brewing 31st October 2006. A 2½ BBL plant supplied by Porter's PBC Brewery Installations is used.

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Cuckoo Ales

c/o 6 Tackleway, Hastings TN34 3DE
www.cuckooales.co.uk [This link opens in a new window]

First beers reported from this brewery about Easter 2006. It is reported that it was brewed on the FILO plant while a location is finalised.

Regular Beers:
The First Cuckoo (4%)

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Custom Beers Limited (Closed)

Little Burchetts Farm, Isaacs Lane, Haywards Heath RH16 4RZ

First brewed Feburary 2005, the first two brews were California Dreaming at 4.5% and a Porter at 5.5%. The Brewery closed in early summer of 2008 and the last beers were gone by August 2008.

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Dark Star

The Dark Star Brewing Co. Ltd   
22  Star Road
Partridge Green
West Sussex
RH13 8RA
Tel: 01403 713085
www.darkstarbrewing.co.uk [This link opens in a new window]

This superb brewery was established at the Evening Star [This link opens in a new window] (in 1994) in Brighton but then moving to larger premises north of Brighton at Ansty. At the end of 2009 the brewery moved to larger premisies in Partridge Green where they now produce a large selection of excellent ales, wheat beers and seasonal brews. 'IPA' recently (June 2004) won the gold medal in the Beauty of the Hops brewing awards in the India Pale Ale class. Watchout for the excellent APA available November to May (ish).

January sees the monthly specials programme kicks off with Mark & Melissa (Cole) Special Porter (6.5%)

February is the Six Hop Ale (6.5%)

March brings Hophead Citre (3.8%)

April brings Maibock (5.6%) a helles style bier

May sees the return of Victorian Mild (6%)

June Summer Solstice (4.2%)

July is Carafa Jade (5%) using the german malt of that name

August sees Dark Star's 1st fruit beer,Seville (4%) using malted wheat and barley and the El Dorado hops

September brings us c.1790 India Pale Ale (6.2%)

October sees the return of Oktoberfest (5.2%)

November Green Hopped IPA (6.5%)

December Winter Solstice (4.2%)  

Three monthly seasonals highlight the return of Saison and Smoked Porter with, of course, many old favourites

Regular Beers:
Hophead (3.8%)
IPA
Partridge Best Bitter, formerly Dark Star Best, (4.0%)
Red Ale (5.0%)
Dark Star (5.0%)

Seasonal Beers:
Sunburst (4.8%)
APA (American Pale Ale) (4.9%)

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Fallen Angel

PO Box 95, Battle TN33 0X
01424 777996
www.fallenangelbrewery.com [This link opens in a new window]

Advertised as the smallest brewery in Sussex this one barrel brewlength brewery has been producing bottled beers since November 2004. Occassionally a cask escapes and you might see one at a Sussex festival.

First In Last Out (FILO)

14-15 High Street, Old Town, Hastings TN34 3EY
(01424) 425079
www.thefilo.co.uk [This link opens in a new window]

The FILO brewery has been running since 1985. FILO Logo

Crofters Pale (4.0 %)
Cardinal Dark Beer (4.4%)
Cloudesly (4.8%)

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Gribble Brewery

Gribble Inn, Oving, PO20 6BP
(01243) 786893
elderflower@msn.co.uk

A micro brewery previosuly owned by Badger (of Blanford ) is now independant of the brewery company since February 2005. Brewing first started at the Gribble Inn in 1980 (with a brief hiatus, it has been brewing for at least 11 years now) now supplies many outlets. (Note 'King & Barnes' Sussex and the new Fursty Ferret are produced in Dorset at the Badger Brewery.)

'King & Barnes' Mild Ale (3.5%)
Plucking Pheasant (5.2%)
Pig's Ear (5.8%)

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Hammerpot Brewery

Hammerpot Brewery Limited
Unit 30, The Vinery, Poling BN18 9PY Hammerpot Brewery
(01903) 883338
info@hammerpot-brewery.co.uk
www.hammerpot-brewery.co.uk [This link opens in a new window]

Brewery established in August 2005. The original five barrel plant has now been replaced by a ten barrel plant. The brewery won an award (bronze) in the 2006 SIBA competition.

 

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Harveys

The Bridge Wharf, 6 Cliffe High Street, Lewes BN7 2AH
(01273) 480209
www.harveys.org.uk [This link opens in a new window]

Established in 1790 the brewery is on the banks of the Ouse in Lewes. Rebuilt in 1881 the brew 'tower' is of the classical Victorian style. Now the major brewer in Sussex with its products having a well deserved popularity. Seasonal beers. Armada recently (June 2004) won the gold medal in the Beauty of the Hops brewing awards in the dual hop class. Harvey Sussex Best Bitter won gold in the Best Bitter class in the 2005 Champion Beer of Britain competition.

Regular Beers
Sussex Pale Ale (3.5%)
Sussex Best (4.0%)
Sussex XXXX Old Ale (4.3%)
Armada Ale (4.5%)

Seansonal Beers
Harvest Ale (5.0%)
Elizabethan (8.1%) (Runner up Worthing Beer Festival 2002)
Christmas Ale (8.1%)
Imperial Double Extra Stout (9%)

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Hepworth & Co

The Beer Station, Railway Goods Yard, Nightingale Road, Horsham RH12 2NW
(01403) 269696
mail@thebeerstation.co.uk
www.thebeerstation.co.uk [This link opens in a new window]

Andy Hepworth, former head brewer at King & Barnes, set-up Horsham's 'oldest and largest brewery' was launched by Horsham's 'key production team' to preserve and maintain local brewing traditions. They produce speciality and seasonal beers, cask ales and keg beers. Their bottling line can produce and pack 20,000 bottles a day and a certain amount of contract brewing and bottling is done for some famous names.

Pullman (4.2%)

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Kemptown

33 Upper St Brighton BN2 1JN
(01273) 699595
www.kemptownbrewery.com [This link opens in a new window]

Kemptown Brewery is at The Hand in Hand pub in Kemptown, Brighton

Pub brewery built 1989 in the tower tradition behind and above the Hand in Hand, possibly the smallest pub in Britain with its own brewery. The name is taken from the former Charrington's Kemptown Brewery which closed in 1964, nearby. Beers are mostly available only in the pub.

Brighton Bitter (3.6%)
Kempton (4.0%)

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Kissingate

01293 882198 07909 975664

9a Church Lane Farm Estate, Church Lane, Lower Beeding, Horsham, West Sussex, RH13 6LU
info@kissingate.co.uk
www.kissingate.co.uk [This link opens in a new window]

Kissingate Brewery first brewed in February 2010 at Maidenbower near Crawley and has recently moved to larger premises to meet the increasing demand for their unique ales

First Kiss (5.1%)
Old Tail Porter (4.5%)
Mary's ruby Mild (6.6%)
Warlock's Strong Ale (5.2%)
Kissingate Moon (4.8%)
Black Cherry Mild (4.2%)
Storyteller (3.5%)
Christmas Tale (6.0%)

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Langham Brewery

Langham Stables, Langham Lane, Lodsworth, Petworth GU28 9BU
(01798) 860861
www.langhambrewery.co.uk/

Started brewing May 2006. The 10 barrel plant was previously used at Wickwar.

 

Rectory Ales Ltd

Streat Hill Farm Outbuilding, Streat Hill, Hassocks BN6 8RP
(01273) 890570

Rectory was founded in 1995 by the Rector of Plumpton to generate funds for his three parish churches. Seasonal beers. Brewing was halted in November 2004. But seems to have re-started as Rectory Beers have re-surfaced.

Rector's Pleasure (4%)
St Richard's Ale (4%)
Parson's Porter (4.1%)
Rector's Revenge (5%)

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Rother Valley

Gate Court Farm, Station Road, Northiam, East Sussex, TN31 6QT
(01797) 252922.

Established 1993 on a hop farm near the river that is the Sussex/Kent boundary. Fifty outlets are supplied and special beers brewed to order. They have recently (summer '04) ventured into the supermarket trade with a bottled version of their 5% dark beer 'Blues'.

Welton's

1 Mulberry Trading Estate, Foundry Lane, Horsham RH13 5PX

ray@weltons.co.uk

Using the money he made from selling a drinks distribution business to Beer Seller, Ray built Welton's Brewery himself and started brewing in 1995 based at Rugge Farm in Capel, moving to Vincent Works in Dorking in 1997. In early 2000, the brewery was mothballed, and eventually he had to brew on Arundel's equipment. But when Andy Hepworth started up the Beer Station, Ray was able to move his own equipment and yeast onto the site and that was, for two years, a shared operation. In August 2003 Ray once again brewed independently setting up close to both Hepworth and King in Horsham. He is still using the equipment he built himself.

Pride 'n' Joy (2.8%) (Beer of the Festival Worthing 2002)
Kid & Bard (3.5%)
Old Cocky (4.3%)
Horsham Old Ale (4.5%)

White

The 1066 County Brewery, Pebsham Lane, Bexhill TN40 2LZ
(01424) 731066

Husband and wife team David & Lesley White founded this small brewery, in 1995, in a converted farm building; there is a ten-barrel brew plant. As well as running a bar dispense equipment/service company and running bars at outdoor and special events. A small bottling plant has recently been installed so they can bottle their own plus other beers from small brewers in the area. About 20 outlets are supplied - plus summer events where their bars appear.

1066 Country Bitter (4.0%)
White Dark (4.0%)

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W.J. King & Co.

3-5 Jubilee Estate, Foundry Lane, Horsham RH13 5UE W J King ogo
(01403) 272102
www.kingfamilybrewers.co.uk [This link opens in a new window]

Set-up a year after the Horsham brewery of King & Barnes was closed. The beers are bitter and full bodied but Mr King says he is not trying to replicate the beers from the former brewery. Recently acquired their first pub. Mr King says he is not trying to recreate beers from the former brewery in Horsham but still plays on the "five generations of family brewers in Horsham" in his marketing. Seasonal beers.

Horsham Best Bitter (3.8%)
Kings Old Ale (4.3%)
Red River (4.8%)

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