Brighton Locals Beer Festival '25
A few weeks ago, the team behind the incredibly fun Brighton Independents Beer Crawl (see HERE and HERE) announced a new event under their new banner, Independent Events Brighton.
Brighton Locals Beer Festival '25
The Brighton Locals Beer Festival follows a similar premise to the Brighton Independents Beer Crawls - collect your map, buy a beer from any of the participating venues and receive a stamp. Collect 5 stamps and you can enter a prize draw for some beer goodies. More stamps = more entries. Simple!
The difference between the Independents Beer Crawl and the Locals Beer Festival however is with the beer: instead of Verdant taking over the taps of Brighton’s best independent venues (27 this time!), 15 local beer slingers take their place.
Breweries
Unbarred, Loud Shirt, Long Man, Beak, Gun, Firebird, Only with Love, Fauna, Lost Pier, As Intended, Abyss, Hand, Ascension Cider, Silver Rocket and Larrikin
Venues
The Independent, The Geese, The Brunswick, Watchmaker’s Arms, Mad Dog Brew Tap, Bison Hove, The Wine Barrel, Loud Shirt Taproom, The Drop, Lost Pier Taproom, Unbarred Tap, The Brick, The Prince Albert, The Hole in the Wall, The Rook, The Pond, Seven Cellars, The Greys, Hand in Hand, Vine Street Tap, Brighton Bier Haus, Haus on the Hill, The West Tap, Pink Moon, The Urchin, The Evening Star, Easy Tiger.
I was giddy at there being a summer beer event to throw myself at and eagerly opened my calendar. But then my heart sank. I was going to be on holiday in Spain for almost all of the festival, coming back on Day 3 of 4. I surmised I could at least get 5 stamps when I got back, so I wouldn’t totally miss out. A holiday in the sunshine would soften the blow a little.
It did - Girona is a beautiful little city in Catalonia and we had an incredible trip strolling around in the heat, taking in the sights, sipping some beverages and eating great food.
Midway through our trip, we were chatting with some pals back home and arranging a catch-up at the pub upon our return. I mentioned that I’d like to try and get to at least 5 of the venues if they would be willing to indulge me. They were (what a gang), but the silly little completionist inside me felt a bit downbeat that I wouldn’t be able to do the full list. I looked at the map and my brain started whirring.
I couldn’t, could I? 27 beers in a day and a half would’ve been too much, especially on the back of a holiday involving a copious amount of booze. Even more so because I am a decrepit old man who values his rest. Regardless, I hastily added the venues to a Google Map, noting which ones would likely sell takeaway cans instead of drink-in pints, and assessed the situation. It looked much more achievable now.
I wasn’t too keen on the prospect of making several quick stops, just grabbing a can and then dashing off to the next place. That didn’t feel like the spirit of the festival to me. For me, it’s about experiencing a pub; sitting down with a beer, taking in your surroundings, soaking up the atmosphere, and striking up conversation with friends and strangers alike.
Unfortunately, due to time constraints, I had to make peace with this if I wanted to reach all the venues by the end of Sunday. Peace was made very quickly.
Some (many) may call me an idiotic man with no life, some (few) may call it a heroic effort worthy of unending praise and adulation - who am I to say? What I will say is I had a bloody good time doing it.
Day 1
We landed at Gatwick around midday, and I reasoned that if we weren’t delayed or held up at all, I could probably be in a pub around 3pm. The beer gods were with me because we somehow got from the plane to a train back home in 22 minutes, which I think might be a PB. After a quick freshen up and a fuss over our cats, I was back out the door and ready to start the trail proper. I figured that today I would focus on more places where I could buy takeaway cans before meeting up with some friends, and on Day 2, with a full day, is when the real work would begin.
It was 1:50pm when I walked into Seven Cellars to begin proceedings. Let the games begin!
I wasn’t sure if I needed to have a beer from one of the 15 local breweries to get a stamp or if it was any (independent) beer (more on this later). The staff in Seven Cellars weren’t sure either, but I decided to try and stick to them where I could. I secured a map, a can of Abyss and Holy Goat’s Goat Lord (a WCIPA that looks great) and the all-important stamp.
The usual route through Brighton station to Unbarred was blocked off due to Brighton having a home game with Fulham, so I circumvented the station and arrived at Unbarred Tap. I passed The Prince Albert as I did and contemplated grabbing a beer and stamp there but it was full of Fulham fans and I didn’t have the time or patience to deal with that.
I arrived at Unbarred as someone was buying a box of 18 beers (fair play) to take away, which gave me time to peruse the fridges whilst dodging them grabbing their cans. I opted for a can of Unbarred’s Super Smash (a low ABV lazy in collaboration with Thumbs, a local artist). The bar staff here were the first to hear how I had only been in Spain mere hours ago - a tale I regaled repeatedly throughout the day to everyone that would listen, like the irritant I am.
I crossed London Road and made it to The Drop a few minutes later. Here I chatted to the staff and patrons who were full of enthusiasm and suggestions for where to go next (and loved my Spain story, I’m sure).
I settled on a can of Verdant & DEYA’s LSBB ‘25 (a hazy beer brewed to celebrate Little Summer Beer Bash) - whilst not one of the 15 local breweries, I really just wanted to try this beer and there was a nod to the Independents Crawl with it being Verdant.
I had, sensibly, checked which venues weren’t open on Sunday, which meant from here I needed to schlep over to Whitehawk to get my stamps from the two taprooms there. I hopped on the bus and made haste. As I was heading into town, I realised I was, sort of, going by another venue, so I might as well swoop in for a stamp. I jumped off the bus at the Old Steine and made my way to Brighton Bierhaus.
It was time for my first beer of the day, so I went for a half of Unbarred’s Hazy Pale on cask, which was tasting beautiful. I checked where the nearest bus stop was, realised I had 12 minutes to do an 8-minute walk, and polished off my half pint in very little time. I made the bus and was in Whitehawk in no time at all.
Lost Pier Taproom and Loud Shirt Taproom are conveniently on the same trading estate and pretty much next door to each other, so it made the visit even swifter than you’d expect. I wanted to stop for a beer, but I had plans to meet friends back in town, so there was no time to spare, unfortunately. I grabbed a can of Lost Pier’s Paddleboard Pale, Loud Shirt’s BIG Hazed and Confused and two stamps for my troubles. The ‘I was in Spain this morning..!’ anecdote was doing great guns at this point.
Another bus back into town took me to Wine Barrel and the warm embrace of my wife and our friends. I had collected the first 6 stamps in about 90 minutes and was ready to slow it down now that I was in good company. I secured a pint of Loud Shirt’s Take My Shoes Off & I Will Throw Them In The Lake and the requisite stamp. We managed to acquire a table outside and had been expecting to stay here for a few drinks in the sunshine. The weather had other ideas, and so after our drinks and a long overdue catch-up, we decided to move on. I was secretly delighted.
We debated where to go next and settled on The Rook, which was only a short meander along Western Road. An excellent pint of Abyss’ Contrasting Hues earned me stamp number eight and the delightful surroundings of The Rook. We put the world to rights once more, and I was very pleased that it didn’t take much persuasion to get everyone to our next location. Just around the corner, we were soon at the next bar perusing the tap list.
Easy Tiger was the first venue that insisted I have a beer from one of the local breweries to get the stamp when I unveiled my stamp card and tried to order a pint of Pond Water (a beer brewed exclusively for Easy Tiger and The Pond from Arundel Brewery, so still local, but I digress). I pivoted to a trusty pint of the Beak’s Déšť and we took a pew in the beer garden, where I’d somehow never been before.
My gang did not match my appetite (or chant) for one more stamp but after a bit of coercion (from my hype woman - thanks Krid!), we settled on The Evening Star as a final port of call as it was on the way home for our friends and I could then get another stamp elsewhere to make it worthwhile. When we rounded the corner for The Evening Star, it was absolutely rammed, so we continued along to The Pond, and I made a note to start at my beloved Evening Star tomorrow.
The Pond was almost as busy, but half of our group managed to bag an upstairs table whilst the other half did the important business of getting drinks (and getting a stamp). I landed on Only With Love’s LoveTub here as someone complimented me on my calf tattoo (although he mistook the hops for beans, I’ll take the appreciation either way. Yes, I have a hop tattoo - I am but a cliche). We bid our friends goodbye and made a beeline for Vine to secure a takeaway can. The bar was doing a roaring trade. So much so that the bar staff said they were at capacity. When I told them I was only in search of a takeaway can and a stamp, they were more than happy to serve (and stamp) me. I grabbed a can of DEYA’s Magazine Cover in a rush and we hotfooted it towards the train station.
As we walked towards the station, I convinced my long-suffering wife we had one more in us, in the shape of The Prince Albert.
My final beer of the day was Super Pale from Abyss - an old favourite to finish on. We took a seat on one of the high tables in the window and checked for the next train home. We had a bit of time, so I reflected on how the day had gone and what my plans were for tomorrow. Soon enough, we were on the train home and out of the station at Portslade.
I felt around for my house keys in my pocket as usual and realised I did not have them. How did I not have my keys? Fuck. They were in my bag. My bag! The bag that contained all the beer I’d bought today. The bag I’d left at The Prince Albert. I mustn’t have noticed it when we stood up, as we were at a high table. I’m very surprised at how quickly we sprang into action. My wife booked an Uber back to the pub as I frantically called The Prince Albert.
You absolute beauty. The Prince Albert had my bag! It had only been about twenty minutes, so luck was on our side, and someone did not discover it and have themselves a very merry time with all my cans of beer. We hopped in the Uber, I jumped out at The Prince Albert, retrieved my bag, returned to the Uber, and we made it home, finally. Not the chilled ending to the evening I was hoping but I’m very pleased we managed to swiftly avert disaster.
Final standing at the end of Day 1 was 12/27 complete. I was pretty pleased with that, as I had only expected to do around 8ish maximum. It did still leave 15 for Sunday, but that felt very doable.
Day 2
Day 2 began with me jogging for my train as I’d not noticed the time, so it pretty much started as yesterday ended. Thankfully, I made the train and was ready to roll. Albeit a little sweaty. I barrelled out of the station and to the first stop of the day in The Evening Star.
Hand & BRZN’s Beau Riso was calling out to me as I entered, so I duly obliged. The sun was in fine form, so I took a seat outside as I opened my trusty Google Map and surveyed the route that lay ahead of me. I had inadvertently left myself a bit of a circular route, which would make for a fine stroll in the sunshine. Up to Hanover, down to Kemptown, into the city centre, then onto Hove and to victory.
Despite the blazing sun, I made light work of navigating my way down North Laine, sauntering across The Level and clambering up Southover Street into Hanover. I’d made it to The Greys, and I was a thirsty boy. I still chewed the ear off the landlord as he gave me my stamp; he seemed genuinely interested in my route for the day (did he know I was in Spain yesterday? Of course he did. I told him).
I sat in the little beer garden with half of As Intended’s Stored - a lovely light lager made for days such as this. I debated having another, but then realised there was work to be done. Luckily, just over the road at The Geese.
There was a queue at the door for people hoping to get a table for a roast. I was not here for such luxuries, so I squeezed past to the bar, secured my stamp and took my half of Unbarred’s Hazy Pale outside to melt in the sunshine some more. I was three venues down, but also three beers down, so I was in the Danger Zone. I knew I needed some takeaway cans to balance things out, or it would be game over. Further ascension into Hanover brought me to Haus on the Hill.
I explained my predicament to the bar staff, and she was only too happy to give me a can from the fridge. I opted for Brighton Bier’s Pilsner and explained the rest of my plans for the day. She was either impressed or just wanted the maniac babbling about stamps to get out, so I soon departed for the final Hanover locale in the shape of The Independent.
As I’d enjoyed it so much as The Evening Star, I picked up a can of Hand & BRZN’s Beau Riso to acquire my stamp here. I reckon this was probably the fastest stamp on the whole trail. A shame, as I’d usually wile away several hours in here if I could. Alas! Ten to go! I was soon making my descent into Kemptown and to the Hand in Hand.
Being one of Hand’s pubs, I had plenty of beers to choose from, with the bar staff reeling all of them off without batting an eyelid. I plumped for Hand and Closet Brewing’s Bright Young Things - a watermelon margarita sour that I’m looking forward to drinking before the sun disappears again. I bid the staff farewell and enjoyed a sunny meander back to the city centre. I don’t often walk around Kemptown, so it was nice to take it in in the sunshine. Soon enough, I was in The Laines and at the bar in Pink Moon for my next stamp.
The staff at Pink Moon were by far the most gassed about the trail and helped bring me back to life after the long amble from Hanover > Kemptown > The Laines. Their enthusiasm was so wholesome, so I obviously delivered my Spain routine to such a welcoming audience. Licensing laws meant I had to drink in here, but I was happy to; a new venue to tick off and definitely one I’ll be coming back to. A can of Super Fuzz from Abyss poured into a chilled glass was the cherry on top of a very lovely exchange. I sat in the garden out back - a great little hidden nook from the hustle and bustle of The Laines. From here, it was a short stroll up to Mad Dog Brew Tap.
I went for a Mad Dog beer here before being informed it had to be one of the local breweries, so switched to another Take My Shoes Off & I Will Throw Them In The Lake from Loud Shirt. I didn’t mind as it tasted wonderful. I took a spot in the outside seating area and people-watched for a while in that pleasant haze you get from daytime drinking in the sun. Unparalleled. I also enjoyed the harp player banging out the tunes at the end of the road. I snapped back to reality and was pounding pavement once again. Along the seafront and to The West Tap.
I had planned to grab a slice of pizza from Yeastie Boys before I got here, but my one-track mind meant I did not realise until a few stops later. Oops. I think pretty much every table was taken at The West Tap when I arrived. I didn’t mind as I was just securing a can and a stamp, but it was nice to see it so busy and everyone basking. I settled on Abyss’ Exotica - a pink guava and Sicilian lemon sour allegedly made for hammock sipping. The chap behind the bar commented that I was nearing the end, and I was! Very much on the home straight now. I was so giddy about this that I walked the complete wrong way to The Hole in the Wall.
It felt wrong ordering a takeaway beer from one of the best pubs in Brighton, but I had arranged to meet my wife at the next venue, so I didn’t have time. As much as it pained me, I did find solace in Beak’s Locals, which felt very appropriate considering the point of the festival. It wasn’t long before I was bearing down on The Brick and some company in the form of my wife.
I grabbed us both a Super Pale from Abyss (and a stamp) and took the booth near the bar, awaiting my better half’s arrival. I had been documenting my trail on Instagram (go SEE) and had been chatting to the Independent Events Brighton team throughout it. They had messaged that they were going to be in Hove, so we tried to arrange it so our paths would cross before the end of the day. I then bored my wife with my voyage thus far.
We had made plans to meet at The Brunswick next before my wife asked me what time the pubs were open until, as it was nearing 4pm, and some of them may be closing soon, as it’s a Sunday. I double checked them all and discovered they were all open until late, apart from The Watchmaker’s Arms, which closed at 5pm. Bollocks. I was planning to finish up there. We decided we’d have to do the inverse route instead to get there before closing, so we hopped on the bus and walked up to The Watchmaker’s Arms. Special shout-out to my wife for saving the trail!
I messaged the Independent Brighton gang to let them know we may not see them now after all. The blow was softened somewhat by the double whammy of a delicious Bezel Bitter (brewed by The Watchmaker’s themselves), and also because I’d won a Brighton Locals Beer Festival t-shirt for being the next person to get a stamp after the organisers had been in. Skills! Also, the team at The Watchmaker’s said they were staying open later, so I could’ve swung by later after all. Never mind, it wasn’t an issue as it meant we got to go to The Urchin early.
The sun was still blazing, so we pitched up on a table outside and I grabbed a stamp and each of us an Unbarred and Larrikin’s Shuck Juice, which went down almost too quickly in the heat. If we’d had time, I would’ve loved to have eaten here, as I somehow still haven’t. I figured I’d eat when I got home, but I still had two venues left. Onwards, the end is in sight. Bison awaits!
This was always going to be a quick stop to grab a stamp and a can (Loud Shirt’s EXP20 IPA). I stopped to take a photo, and we were ready to move on to the final stop. But then I spotted two familiar figures sitting out of the front of Bison. It was Martha and Emily from Independent Brighton Events! Serendipity! I went over and introduced myself (first time I’ve ever said ‘Hello, I am Beer Voyage’ like an absolute moron). It was great to finally meet the brains behind some of my favourite beery events in Brighton. They had hung around in the hopes we’d bump into each other, which was so lovely. We had a bit of a love-in, then realised we were ready to head to the next venue. Final stop, The Brunswick!
Martha and Emily very kindly bought our last beers as a thank you for taking part - I settled on Only With Love’s All Star. The pub allowed me to add the final stamp to my card - I’m pretty sure there’s a video of me looking very gormless during this - and then we headed to the beer garden to celebrate. Josh, who works at The Brunswick and is in charge of their beer buying, also joined us.
It was an incredible end to a whirlwind two-day beer trail; getting to chat about beer with fellow beer enthusiasts is something I will never tire of. It was interesting to hear of their plans for future events and also ways they were looking to improve things going forward. We also learned this was a separate event from the Verdant-led Independents Beer Crawl later in the year, so we’re looking forward to stomping our way around Brighton again later in the year.
We were invited to join them for their final stamps, but I realised I had not eaten all day, so I was in desperate need of some food and a well-earned lie down. We said our goodbyes and headed home. This time I did not forget my bag.
Summary
Another fantastic event, and I’m already looking forward to the next festival/trail/crawl Independent Brighton Events put on next. Hopefully, I can do it the self-imposed proper way next time.
(I also clarified if I needed to have a beer from one of the breweries to get a stamp and was told that it didn’t really matter - so long as I was supporting the venues, that was the main thing. I think only two of the beers I bought over the weekend were from other breweries (Verdant and DEYA), so I think I did okay anyway.)
