Tap Room Brighton: 20 Independent Beers to Try Before Summer 2026
Summer's just around the corner, and if you haven't been exploring the craft beer Brighton has to offer, you're missing out on something special. At Lost and Found, our tap room Brighton locals call home, we're all about showcasing the best independent beers from Sussex and beyond: and right now, our taps are flowing with absolute bangers.
We're not talking about the same tired lagers you'll find in every chain pub. These are carefully curated brews from independent brewers who actually give a toss about what goes in your glass. Each pint tells a story of craft, passion, and a proper commitment to quality.
Here are 20 independent beers you need to try at our taproom before summer hits.
The Brighton and Sussex Classics
1. Loud Shirt Brewery – The Big One (IPA, 5.8%)
We've got a special relationship with Loud Shirt Brewery, and The Big One is exactly why. This Brighton-brewed IPA is hop-forward without being obnoxious about it: citrus notes, a proper bitter finish, and the kind of drinkability that makes "just one more" a dangerous phrase.
2. Loud Shirt Brewery – Pale Ale (4.5%)
For those who want flavour without the knockout punch, this pale ale delivers tropical fruit notes with a clean, crisp finish. Perfect for a sunny afternoon in our taproom.
3. UnBarred Brewery – Juicy (NEIPA, 6.5%)
From our mates down in Hove, this New England IPA is a proper juice bomb. Hazy, aromatic, and bursting with mango and passionfruit: it's what craft beer Brighton is all about.
4. UnBarred Brewery – Pils (4.8%)
Not everything needs to be a hop-fest. This Sussex-brewed pilsner is clean, refreshing, and absolutely nails that traditional Czech style while keeping things unmistakably local.
5. Beak Brewery – Tempest (Pale Ale, 5.2%)
Lewes-based Beak consistently produces some of the finest beers in Sussex, and Tempest showcases their talent for balance. Stone fruit, subtle bitterness, and a moreish quality that keeps you coming back.
6. Burning Sky – Arise (Pale Ale, 4.4%)
Another East Sussex gem. Burning Sky's Arise is sessionable perfection: light, hoppy, and the kind of beer you can drink all afternoon without regretting your life choices.
7. Long Man Brewery – Long Blonde (4%)
From the South Downs, this golden ale is everything a proper English craft beer should be: balanced, flavourful, and dangerously easy to drink.
The Dark and Roasty
8. Pig & Porter – Porter (5.4%)
A Sussex brewery doing what they do best: this porter is rich, chocolatey, and perfect for those evenings when you want something with proper depth.
9. Pig & Porter – Oatmeal Stout (5.8%)
Smooth, creamy, and full of roasted coffee notes. This independent Brighton-area brewery knows their way around a dark beer.
The Hoppy Heavy Hitters
10. Moor Beer Company – Hoppiness (IPA, 6%)
While not Sussex-based, Moor is proper independent craft, and this IPA is a taproom favourite. Resinous, piney, and everything an IPA should be.
11. Siren Craft Brew – Soundwave (IPA, 5.6%)
From Berkshire's finest independent brewery, Soundwave delivers tropical fruit by the bucketload without sacrificing drinkability.
12. Magic Rock – High Wire (Pale Ale, 5.5%)
Yorkshire-based but spiritually aligned with our independent ethos, High Wire is a modern classic that never disappoints on our taps.
13. Verdant – Putty (Pale Ale, 5.5%)
A Cornwall favourite that we rotate through regularly: this pale ale is soft, fruity, and perfectly embodies the new wave of British craft beer.
The Session Heroes
14. Tiny Rebel – Cwtch (Red Ale, 4.6%)
Welsh independence at its finest. This ruby red ale is malty, smooth, and absolutely perfect for those "I'm just popping in for one" moments that turn into three.
15. Thornbridge – Jaipur (IPA, 5.9%)
A modern British classic from Derbyshire's independent stalwarts. If you haven't tried Jaipur at our Brighton taproom, are you even doing craft beer properly?
16. Five Points – Pale (4.4%)
London's Five Points keeps things beautifully simple with this pale ale: floral, citrusy, and endlessly drinkable.
The Wild Cards
17. Wild Beer Co. – Pogo (Pale Ale, 4.1%)
Somerset's finest bringing fruity, punchy flavours to a ridiculously sessionable ABV. This is the kind of beer that makes afternoons disappear.
18. Northern Monk – Faith (Pale Ale, 5.4%)
Leeds-based independence with a hop-forward attitude. Faith delivers big tropical flavours with a crisp, clean finish.
19. Deya – Steady Rolling Man (Pale Ale, 5.2%)
Cheltenham's Deya produces some of the most consistently excellent pale ales in the UK, and this beauty regularly graces our taps.
20. Wylam – Jakehead (IPA, 6.3%)
Finishing strong with this Newcastle independent brewery's flagship IPA: piney, resinous, and absolutely packed with flavour.
Why Our Rotating Selection Matters
Here's the thing about tap room Brighton venues like ours: we're not locked into contracts with massive breweries pushing the same beers week after week. Our selection rotates because we're constantly discovering new independent brewers, supporting local Sussex talent, and bringing you the freshest craft beer Brighton has to offer.
When you visit Lost and Found on Ditchling Road in Fiveways, you're getting beers that have been chosen because they're genuinely brilliant, not because some corporate rep convinced us to stock them. We're the counter-culture to big-label beer, proudly supporting brewers who stay independent and rooted in their craft.
The Community Vibe
What makes our craft beer taproom special isn't just the liquid in the glass: it's the atmosphere. Our cozy space on Ditchling Road has become a proper community hub where locals gather to discover new brews, chat about their favourites, and actually connect with fellow beer lovers.
The international flags overhead, the warm lighting, and the friendly faces behind our bar all contribute to an environment where everyone feels welcome. Whether you're a seasoned craft beer veteran or just starting your journey beyond mass-produced lagers, you'll find your place here.
Get Involved
Like what you've read? Want to taste some more? Pop down to Lost and Found and work your way through this list. Our knowledgeable team can guide you through flavours, recommend pairings, and help you discover your next favourite beer.
We're constantly updating our selection, so even if some of these specific brews aren't on tap when you visit, we'll have something equally exciting from Brighton's thriving independent beer scene. That's the beauty of a proper craft beer taproom: there's always something new to discover.
Find us on Ditchling Road in Fiveways, where the beer is independent, the atmosphere is welcoming, and every pint supports the kind of brewers who actually deserve your money. See you at the bar.
