Brighton has a serious craft beer scene, with its own breweries pouring tank-fresh beer in their taprooms and a set of pubs that take their beer lists as seriously as anywhere in the country. This guide covers the best craft beer in Brighton, from on-site brewery taprooms to the independent pubs worth seeking out, and what each one is good for.
Opening times and tap lists change constantly, which is part of the appeal. Check before travelling if you are making a special trip.
Places Featured in This Guide
| Place | Type | Area |
|---|---|---|
| UnBarred Brewery & Taproom | Brewery taproom | Elder Place, near the station |
| Brighton Bierhaus | Craft beer and real ale pub | Edward Street |
| North Laine Brewhouse | Beer-focused bar | North Laine |
| Bison Beer | Bar, bottleshop and beach bar | Hove and Sea Lanes |
| The Evening Star | Craft beer pub | Surrey Street |
| The Rook | Taproom and bottle shop | Dean Street |
Table of Contents
Brewery Taprooms
Brighton has brewery taprooms and beer-focused pubs where you can drink fresh local and independent beer.
UnBarred Brewery & Taproom on Elder Place is the standout, five minutes’ walk from Brighton station. It is set in a converted industrial space sharing the floor with the brewery, with a tap wall of around 16 taps pouring everything from table beer and hazy pales to barrel-aged stouts, plus guest beers, cider and non-alcoholic and gluten-free options. There is a sunny beer garden, and they have teamed up with Fatto a Mano to serve wood-fired pizzas. It is mostly walk-ins, with a small number of bookings taken each day. You can also fill a can from any tap to take away.
Brighton Bierhaus is a craft beer and real ale pub on Edward Street, with more than 100 beers and a large Belgian, German and UK craft beer range. Brighton Bier brewery ceased trading in 2025, but Brighton Bierhaus continues to trade as a separate business.
North Laine Brewhouse is a large North Laine bar in a former Brighton nightclub, with beer, cocktails, food, games and DJ sets at weekends.
Bison Beer
Bison Beer has become one of the names most associated with craft beer in Brighton since starting in 2015. It began as a bottle shop on East Street in the city centre, but that original store has since closed. Its current public sites are the Hove bar and bottleshop on Church Road and the beach bar at Sea Lanes. All the sites showcase craft beer from some of the best breweries in the country, and Bison also brews its own. The Hove bar and bottleshop is the place to pick up cans and bottles to take home.
Craft Beer Pubs
Beyond the breweries, some of the best craft beer in Brighton is found in pubs built around their beer lists.
The Evening Star on Surrey Street, near the station, is a Brighton institution and one of the most respected beer pubs in the city. It is small and unpretentious, with an ever-changing range of cask ales, craft kegs and ciders. It is the kind of place serious beer drinkers head to first.
The Rook on Dean Street is a taproom and bottle shop with 22 craft beer taps, more than 150 cans and bottles, and a frequently changing beer list.
The Pond and The Black Lion also have strong reputations among Brighton beer drinkers, the latter sitting in the heart of the Lanes near the seafront with a regularly changing selection of local ales and specialist craft beers. Several of these also feature in our guide to the best bars in Brighton.
Brighton’s Local Breweries
Part of what makes the craft beer scene here strong is the number of breweries based in and around the city, many of whose beers you will find on tap across Brighton’s pubs. UnBarred is covered above. Brighton Bier ceased trading in 2025, although Brighton Bierhaus continues to trade separately.
Beyond them, Hand Brew Co has Brighton roots at the Hand in Hand in Kemptown, with its brewery and taproom now in Worthing. Laine beers are still found in pubs around Brighton, but Laine Pub Company moved production to Keystone Brewing Group in 2025. And on the wider Sussex side, Long Man Brewery brews on a farm with a focus on sustainable practices. Looking out for these names on a tap list is a reliable shortcut to a good local pint.
How to Choose
For tank-fresh beer at the source, UnBarred’s taproom is the easiest to reach and the most welcoming for newcomers, with pizza and a beer garden. For a wide beer range in a proper pub setting, Brighton Bierhaus is the one. For range and a beer-first pub atmosphere, the Evening Star and The Rook are both strong choices. And for taking beer home, Bison Beer’s Hove bar and bottleshop is the current pick.
If you want to drink local, look for UnBarred and Hand Brew Co on the tap lists. Most of the best craft beer in Brighton is independent and locally brewed, which is the whole point.
FAQs
Where can I drink beer brewed in Brighton?
At the source in a brewery taproom. UnBarred on Elder Place pours its own beer fresh. You will also find Brighton and Sussex-brewed beers across many of the city’s beer-focused pubs.
What is the best craft beer pub in Brighton?
The Evening Star on Surrey Street is the most established and respected, with an ever-changing range of cask and craft beer. The Rook on Dean Street is another strong choice.
Where can I buy craft beer to take home in Brighton?
Bison Beer’s Hove bar and bottleshop has a wide selection of cans and bottles. UnBarred’s taproom also fills cans to take away from any beer on its tap wall.
Is the Brighton craft beer scene good for non-alcoholic options?
Yes. UnBarred offers non-alcoholic and gluten-free options, and the wider scene increasingly stocks alcohol-free craft beer alongside the standard range.
Are Brighton’s craft beer venues dog-friendly?
Many are. The Rook on Dean Street and several of the taprooms and pubs are dog-friendly. Check with the individual venue if it matters for your visit.
Final Thoughts
The craft beer in Brighton holds its own against anywhere in the country, helped by independent breweries, taprooms and pubs that genuinely care about what is on tap. Start at UnBarred’s taproom for the easiest introduction, head to the Evening Star for a proper beer-pub night, and look for local names like Hand Brew Co and UnBarred wherever you drink. It is a scene built on independents, and it rewards a bit of exploring.
