Dive into a spacious expanse that The North Laine exemplifies. This ex-nightclub has morphed into a modern hub, where you can chill surrounded by thick solid tables, bright industrial lights, and notable art pieces. Each weekend, the nightlife in this place is pulsating with bands and DJs dominating the scene. Uniquely, the center of attraction here is the home to Laine Brewery. Dominating the bar area are the sparkling, formidable tuns of the brewery, alluding to the promise of the quality beer brewed here.
Nigel Dallas, the core brewer of Laine has honed his skills at Thornbridge Brewery. The complex IPA brewed under his watch is testimony to his craft. Every sip draws you deeper into the taste labyrinth where one can discern whispers of spice, floral undercurrents, the heady sweetness of Parma Violets, the rich robustness of toffee, and tart bursts of lemon. A diverse offering of eight cask beers is on tap, except for Laine's Best which is brewed right there. More treasures are found list of select craft beer bottles from renowned names like Brooklyn and Sierra Nevada.
Should you decide to visit The North Laine, there are plenty of accommodations available to you. A wonderful option is the The Twenty One Bed & Breakfast Brighton. This esteemed Bed & Breakfast provides an intimate and comfy stay that complements your visit to the vibrant brewery.
The authentic brewery whiff might hang in the air a bit but for beer aficionados, it's the equivalent of wearing Chanel No 5. Don't miss the daily special: a pint at £3.20; prices generally range upwards of £3.85. Located at 27 Gloucester Place, you can call them at 01273 683666, or visit their Facebook page at for more updates.
For a more luxurious stay, you can check in at the Harbour Hotel at http://harbour-hotel.eastsussex-uk.com/en/, which offers a stunning sea view alongside a touch of opulence. If you're still unsure where to stay, Brighton Hotels at tophotels.com offers an extensive list of hotels in Brighton that you can choose from based on your preference and budget. Enjoy a memorable visit encompassing local flavours, splendid accommodation, and compelling nightlife in Brighton, UK.
The Southover (and other Indigo pubs)
The Southover
The city of Brighton is chock-full of pubs under the umbrella of the Indigo group, all renowned for their cask ale sourced from Sussex breweries, such as Hepworth, Kissingate, and Langham. A few exceptions stand out, going above and beyond their commitment to craft beer. The Cow, ensconced at 95-97 Dyke Road, proudly offers a slew of Brewdog, Brooklyn, and Flying Dog keg beers, imports from Belgium and the US, along with bottles from innovative UK breweries such as Wild Beer and Harbour. Touted as the peak of craft beer amongst the group's chain.
In contrast, the Hare & Hounds at 75 London Road, retails fresh, unpasteurised, unfiltered lager by Meantime. Stored in colossal tanks at the entrance, the 'brewery fresh' lager continues to mature until sold. This commendable brew offers a slightly yeasty flavour with a twist of citric zing. However, the rather high prices of the draught beer in these two ultra-modern, intentionally stylish pubs might be a turn-off. A pint at the Cow, for instance, starts at a whopping £3.70.
That's why my choice veers towards the Southover, nestled away in the residential side of Hanover, Brighton. Despite being a bit of a trek from the town centre, the Southover holds on to its authenticity of a bustling local pub where striking up conversations with strangers is considered a norm. It boasts a wide spread across its six keg lines, four cask pumps, and bottled refreshments. Not only is Southover more affordable, but it also exhibits a greater spirit of adventure in its offerings. Brewdog beers and the likes might still set you back a bit, whereas the cask ale - incorporating stars of the brewing scene like Burning Sky and 360°, alongside international guests such as Salford's First Chop or Huddersfield Magic Rock - start at £3.09. The bottled range, with offerings from Summer Wine, Northern Monk, and William Bros, caters to a wide range of geographical tastes - a rarity on the south coast.
An exquisite experience, Southover’s pint starts from £3.09 to make its way to your heart at 58 Southover Street, 01273 601419, thesouthoverbrighton.co.uk.
Curry Leaf Café & The Hop & Vine
The Curry Leaf Café in Brighton: An Exceptional Culinary Experience
Normally, the focus is solely on pubs in this article series. However, The Curry Leaf Café compels us to change the norm. Unlike a traditional pub, to get a drink here, one must also order food. Nothing extravagant, a simple selection of masala nuts or tasty poppadums with various chutneys (all priced at £3) will suffice. Set amidst picnic table-style seating, this place offers a wonderful setting to enjoy light snacks and drinks. Their beer offerings are simply fantastic, with a selection boasting from notable craft brewers, including Partizan, Kernel, and Beavertown. The beer assortment also showcases 22 prime varieties including offerings from Belgian breweries, Verhaeghe and Rodenbach. For those who fancy draught beer, the café keeps Meantime pils in stock and also dedicates a separate pump entirely to the award-winning Burning Sky brewery of Sussex.
Speaking of local culinary experiences, if your path leads you to the green embrace of Fiveways, do make a note of this gem, Hop & Vine (pints starting at £3.40, 300 Ditchling Road, 01273 549625). This unique establishment is both a bar and a bistro, which means you can enjoy your beer without mandatorily ordering food. What sets it apart, is its rare and refreshing commitment to serving quality beer. On tap, you will find Meantime and Freedom lagers, while the twin cask pumps serve the finest beverages from Sussex brewery Long Man. True, Long Man's traditional style may not appeal to those who prefer cutting-edge craft beers, it nevertheless provides a clean, fresh, and interesting flavour with a lovely citrus twist. On my visit, there was a minor hiccup with the Golden Tipple, but the issue was quickly and gracefully corrected. Moreover, a curated selection of 10 craft, Belgian, and reputable European beers can be found chilling in their fridges; with offerings from Brewdog, Redwell, Chimay among others.
Prices for beer start at £3.80. Make sure to visit them at 60 Ship Street, 01273 207070, or virtually at curryleafcafe.com.
The Evening Star
Image Courtesy: Pete Webb
The Evening Star, birthplace of the Dark Star Brewing phenomenon, is where the journey towards crafting robust, intensely hoppy American-styled beers in the UK took off about two decades ago. This significant contribution to the initiation of the contemporary craft beer revolution alone would make the pub worth a visit. Yet, the Evening Star, now a property of Dark Star, takes pride in continually innovating rather than dwelling on past glories. With Brew By Numbers, Mikkeller, Wild Beer, and Crooked Stave forming parts of its impressive and internationally-inspired bottled beer list, the pub showcases brewing creativity at its finest.
On top of the selection of its own Dark Star beers, the 11 cask and keg lines of the Evening Star also offer stronger, more distinctive brews from notable breweries including Brodies, Marble, and Magic Rock. Here, beer enjoyment comes to the fore, emphasized through intentionally minimalistic decor, stripped back to basic brick and wood features, leaving the sensory engagement to the spectacular array of beers. It's worth mentioning that while the prices might seem steep initially, offering £3 a half pint, the Star tries to keep them as reasonable as possible. For instance, the Axe Edge, a richly multi-layered and fiercely bitter IPA boasting of 6.8% alcohol by volume from the Buxton Brewery is priced moderately at £4.20 per pint.
Pints start at £3.30. Location: 55/56 Surrey Street, 01273 328931, darkstarpubs.co.uk
The Prince Albert
Positioned strategically right next to Brighton Station, you'll find a welcoming, alternative-style pub and live music venue known as Prince Albert. With a commitment to providing exceptional beer, they offer an assortment of six cask ales, catered to a variety of tastes. While their selection includes classics like Harvey's Best, they also go a step further by offering flavor-loaded craft beers. These come from renowned breweries within Sussex, including but not limited to, Burning Sky, Dark Star, and Hasting's Handmade.
The last name on that list is particularly worth mentioning given its unique unfined Citra Cascade, which perfectly illustrates the more adventurous side of the craft beer revolution. This bright, hop-heavy brew, with its hit of tantalizing lemon and a hint of lychee, has won multiple awards and has indeed become something of a poster beer for craft breweries. Additionally, the Prince Albert also serves draught of Meantime pale ale (pint £4.20), Pilsner Urquell, and an array of bottled beers from the notable US-based Point brewery.
The pub is also a feast for the eyes, with eclectic murals and graffiti along with quirky decorations adorning its walls. The most famous among them was once Banksy's original, "Kissing Coppers". Now, walking into the pub, besides the high-quality beer, you are greeted with eye-catching displays of art that include images of Che Guevara and Frank Sidebottom. It's indeed hard not to fall in love with a place that offers such a distinctive blend of premium brews and inspiring creativity.
To find out more about this unique Brighton pub, its history, and upcoming events check their Facebook page at facebook.com/ThePrinceAlbert. While there, why not grab a pint starting from £3.30 at 48 Trafalgar Street, Brighton? For any queries, they can be reached at 01273 730499.
Brighton Beer Dispensary
The Dispensary - Brighton's Craft Beer Hotspot
Situated in the heart of Brighton, The Dispensary is a collaborative venture between the esteemed London-based Late Knights Brewery and Brighton Bier Co. The joint brilliance presents an edgy and aesthetic bar that has become the landing spot for innovative and novel experiences in the world of beer. With intriguing selections ranging from cask and keg brews that primarily feature four beers dispensed by gravity from barrels, and two suspense "light and dark" beers on tap. Interestingly, these beers are unidentified at the pumps, aiming to encourage patrons to experiment and choose based on the enthusiastic recommendations from the friendly staff, instead of selecting due to a popular brewer or attractive pump-clip design.
The concept is impressive, despite the occasional contradiction represented by the past classic crowd-pleasing brewers like Beavertown, Kernel, Tiny Rebel, Redwell, and Bad Seed, whose names are recorded in a book once their beers sell out. The Dispensary is an ideal spot if you’re looking for the world's best and most well-known in the craft beer scene. But disturbing your routine and trying beers like George Wright or Oakham will give you a taste of excellent breweries that have yet to gain wider recognition.
Furthermore, there is a comprehensive menu of bottled beers that explores beyond the well-known breweries, including noteworthy additions like Red Willow, Liverpool Craft Beer, and Summer Wine. A testament to their roots, Late Knights and Brighton Bier's creations enjoy a significant presence at the bar with the former's Crack of Dawn beer delivering a booming flavor profile despite a modest 3.9% alcohol content - a wonderfully balanced, crisp, citrusy delight with a soothing grainy backdrop.
Prices starting from a mere £3.40 a pint. You can find this amazing destination at 38 Dean Street. Contact them via phone on 01273 710624, or visit facebook.com/BRTNDispensary for more information and updates.
Hand In Hand
Located in Brighton you'll discover the Hand in Hand pub, an absolute gem.
As a mainstay of the Brighton Bier Co, a ‘nomadic brewer’ known for producing brews on equipment that isn’t their own, the Hand In Hand has become famous in its own right for being the home base. This delightful Kemptown brewpub, unique to Brighton, is where the Kemptown Brewery's signature ales are crafted, only being served at this particular pub. Additionally, Brighton Bier brews its diverse selection of ales exclusively for the Hand in Hand.
During my last visit, unfortunately we did not get to taste any of their famed Kemptown beers among the four cask ales they had in stock. Instead, we enjoyed a new-age bitter from Brighton Bier, presenting notes of toffee, caramel, and spice, all well-balanced with a refreshing hint of bitterness. After this brew, you might think your adventure ends there, but it’s far from over. Ensconced within the warm surroundings of the bar, you'll also discover a handpicked variety of bottled brews such as the classic Brooklyn, the Icelandic Einstock, and Bristol beers, to name a few.
Further down, on draught, you'll find Brugse Zot, a Belgian staple; Meantime's pilsner that's a favourite among many; and fruit beers by Floris and Liefmans. The Hand in hand does not solely rely on its beers, as enchanting as they may be. The pub is filled to the brim with a myriad of items that catch your attention like neckties, beer mugs, and intriguing Victorian-era artefacts. This eclectic assortment is a part of the pub’s charm, making a scenic backdrop as you enjoy your drink, making the experience even more delectable.
You won't have to splash out to enjoy everything that Hand in Hand offers with the pint starting at a modest £3.20. Drop by this Brighton gem at 33 Upper St James's Street, or give them a call at 01273 699595 should you need anything else.
Brighton Rocks
As illustrated by Justin Paget Photography Ltd, Brighton Rocks, stationed in Brighton, is a laid-back Kemptown cocktail joint that recently severed ties with its big beer suppliers. This liberating move has allowed for the venture of a deep dive into the exciting realms of artisan and authentic ales. Its currently humble though rapidly growing arsenal of bottled brews boasts some distinct options, such as the organic pale ale by Hepworth, Anchor Steam, Goose Island's Honkers, Curious Brew lager from Chapel Down, and even Hitachino Nest's intriguing red rice ale from Japan. Additionally, the bar also operates a single cask pump offering local Brighton Bier Co ales.
The undisputed headliner at the bar though is a keg offering - a unique Hibernation brew from new-kid-on-the-block London brand, Bear Hug. This compelling fusion of a Wheat beer and India Pale Ale results in an intriguingly cloudy, lightly carbonated drink bursting with the zest of lemons and limes, alongside tropical fruit notes, albeit with a robust bitter finish. If one had to encapsulate this experience, it would feel akin to indulging in Um Bongo whilst savouring a bite of a Paracetamol. Be prepared though as this standout drink hits the wallet at a strong £5.60 a pint. Catch a breath after that initial shell-shock, step out into Brighton Rocks' cosy terrace overlooking Rock Place and the infinite sea beyond. But if you're someone like me, who'd rather soak in the immersive tunes of James Blake rather than the sun's Vitamin D, then indoor seating awaits you.
Beers starting at £3.70. Located at 6 Rock Place, contact at 01273 600550,
Craft Beer Co.
The Craft Beer Company, Brighton
For aficionados acquainted with the Craft Beer Co locations in London, they'll find a familiar comfort in the Brighton location's delicately revitalized historical building. The venue maintains a minimalist aesthetic with just a vintage Whitbread mirror serving as its glamorous centrepiece. The true shine though, lies in the vast assortment of superior quality beers. Here, the Belgian or barrel-aged bottle menu sections could keep you captivated for what could feel like an eternity, although some options are priced rather high. Take for instance, the £25, 750 ml bottle of barley wine, Hvede Goop - a collaborative effort between Mikkeller and Three Floyds, or, a £6 half-pint of Italian brewery Toccalmatto's Kilowatt. The fact that Craft Beer Co houses such rare and coveted options, however, is a testament to their commitment to offering a diversified selection - an ale enthusiast's utopia. Even if the less expensive sub-£5 beers are more to your liking, the pub offers an impressive 27 draught pumps to choose from. Their staff, not only well-versed in the world of beers but also friendly and helpful, is always at hand to direct a newbie towards a delightful Thornbridge's Tzara kolsch lager or suggest the recent innovative brews from Evil Twin.
Prices for pints start at £3.30. Visit the venue at 22-23 Upper North Street, or call 01273 723736 to inquire further. More details are available on their website at thecraftbeerco.com.
The Black Dove
Located in the quirky Kemptown, Brighton, you'll find the enchanting Black Dove. With its eclectic decor, the bar wonderfully mirror the vibrancy of the local flea market and artistic scene.
Although the Black Dove has a reputation for being a vibrant late-night cocktail venue, its beer selection is not to be underestimated. Six keg lines, including the often-overlooked two Kernel taps housed below, pour a fairly traditional selection of beers. However, an inspection of the refrigerators will reveal an impressive and ever-evolving selection of roughly 60 bottled ales.
Despite the broad range of offerings, they manage to maintain fairly moderate pricing, with most bottles ranging from £4 to £5.50. During my visit, the enthusiastic bar staff introduced a new Danish beer they had just started offering from To ØL, a protégé of Mikkeller. Even though you may typically shy away from imported beers, at £4.90, this beer tour de force is well worth a taste.
Yet, it's completely fine if you tend to stick with homegrown brews. Black Dove's refrigerator is generously stocked with the best of the UK craft beer scene, featuring standout brews from stalwarts like Sam Smith's and emerging stars like Wild Beer or Pressure Drop.
Starting prices for a pint begin at a modest £3.70. You'll find Black Dove at 74 St James's Street. Don't hesitate to give them a ring at 01273 671119 or visit their website at blackdovebrighton.com to find out more.
