A Mother’s Day Toast: Introduce Her to the Best of Sussex Craft Beer
It is Sunday, the 15th of March, 2026. If you’ve just woken up, looked at the calendar, and felt that sudden jolt of "Oh no, I forgot the flowers," take a deep breath. Put down the wilted supermarket carnations. Step away from the generic "Best Mum" mug. This year, we’re doing things differently.
Welcome to Mother’s Day at Lost and Found.
We’re sitting here on Ditchling Road, right in the heart of the Fiveways community, and the sun is doing that lovely early-spring thing where it pretends it’s warmer than it actually is. It’s the perfect day to bring the woman who raised you into our Brighton taproom and show her that craft beer isn’t just for hipsters with curated facial hair and beanies.
In fact, Sussex is home to some of the most incredible, independent, and boundary-pushing liquid on the planet. And what better way to say "thanks for everything" than by sharing a flight of the finest local brews?
Why a Taproom Beats a Tearoom
Don’t get us wrong, we love a scone as much as the next person. But there’s a certain magic to a craft beer taproom that a stuffy hotel lobby just can’t replicate. At Lost and Found, we’ve worked hard to create a space that feels like an extension of your living room, if your living room happened to have ten rotating taps of world-class beer and a wall of curated local spirits.
The vibe here is casual, friendly, and intentionally inclusive. We’re the counter-culture to those big-label, corporate pubs where every pint tastes like the last one. Here, every glass tells a story. Whether your mum is a lifelong bitter drinker or someone who "doesn't really like beer" (yet), we’re here to guide her through a discovery session she won’t forget.
The Sussex Selection: Keeping it Independent
When we talk about Brighton craft beer, we aren’t just talking about what’s brewed within the city limits. We’re talking about the incredible ecosystem of independent breweries scattered across the Sussex countryside. These are people who care about soil, water, hops, and heritage.
If you’re bringing Mum in today, here are a few local legends we often feature on our taps or in our fridge that are guaranteed to impress:
1. Beak Brewery (Lewes)
If Mum likes things fresh and tropical, Beak is the gold standard. Based just over the hill in Lewes, they’ve earned a massive following for their thick, juicy IPAs. They’re soft, pillowy, and taste like a fruit salad in a glass. It’s the perfect "gateway" beer for someone who thinks beer is always heavy and dark.
2. Gun Brewery (Heathfield)
Located on a beautiful organic farm in Heathfield, Gun Brewery produces some of the cleanest, most refreshing beers in the county. Their "Spinning Cone" or "Chummy Bluster" are masterclasses in balance. Plus, knowing the beer comes from a farm powered by solar energy and its own spring water adds that extra layer of Sussex pride.
3. 360 Degree Brewing (Sheffield Park)
For the mum who appreciates the classics but wants them done better, 360 offers incredible Czech-style pilsners and traditional pales. They are independent to the core and focus on drinkability. A crisp lager from 360 is the ultimate palate cleanser while you’re catching up on family gossip.
4. Harvey’s (Lewes)
We have to pay our respects to the kings of Sussex brewing. While we love the new-age stuff, a pint of Harvey’s Best is a rite of passage. It’s the taste of the South Downs. It’s reliable, comforting, and quintessentially British, much like a good Sunday roast.
"But My Mum Only Drinks Wine…"
We hear it all the time. "I'd love to bring her to an independent Brighton venue, but she’s a wine drinker."
Don't worry. We’ve got you covered.
Being a taproom doesn’t mean we have tunnel vision. We apply the same "independent or bust" philosophy to our wine list as we do to our beer. We source beautiful, local Sussex wines that give the big French vineyards a run for their money. From crisp, sparkling whites that rival Champagne to robust reds that pair perfectly with a chilly March afternoon, we’ve curated a selection that celebrates the vines of the South East.
A Space for Conversation
The beauty of Lost and Found is that it’s built for connection. We don’t have loud, pulsing music that forces you to scream at each other. We don’t have sticky carpets or fruit machines. We have warm lighting, comfortable seating, and a community of people who actually want to talk to each other.
It’s an independent Brighton venue where you can actually hear your mum tell that story about the time you got your head stuck in the railings for the fiftieth time. And because we’re a Brighton party venue at heart, we know how to handle a celebration. If you’ve got a bigger group coming down to toast the matriarch of the family, we have plenty of space to accommodate the whole clan.
Check out our About Us page to see why we’re so passionate about being a hub for Fiveways.
The Human Cost of Corporate Beer
You might wonder why we bang on so much about "independent" beer. It’s because we believe in the human cost of what we consume. When you buy a pint of corporate-owned "craft" beer, that money leaves our community. It goes to shareholders and global conglomerates.
When you drink at a taproom like ours, you’re supporting the person behind the bar, the person who drove the keg from Lewes, and the farmer who grew the barley. You’re keeping the Sussex economy alive. This Mother’s Day, your celebration has a direct, positive impact on the local community. That’s a pretty great gift in itself.
If you want to read more about why we choose the path of independence, take a look at our thoughts on the human cost of corporate beer.
Planning Your Mother's Day Visit
We’re open all day today, and we’d love to see you. You don’t need a fancy reservation or a three-piece suit. Just bring your mum, your dog (yes, we are very dog-friendly!), and your curiosity.
Where to find us:
Lost and Found
Ditchling Road, Fiveways, Brighton
If you’re worried about it being busy, don’t be. The atmosphere is always lively but never overwhelming. We’re all about those spring vibes at Fiveways.
Make a Day of It
Why stop at one drink? Fiveways is one of the most vibrant areas of Brighton. You can take a stroll through Blakers Park, browse the independent shops nearby, and then settle in at Lost and Found for a relaxed afternoon.
If Mum finds a beer she absolutely loves, we can often point you in the direction of where to find more, or you can check out our merch if she wants to represent her new favorite local spot.
A Final Toast
To all the mums, grandmums, foster mums, and mother figures out there: Cheers. You do the hardest job in the world, and you deserve a drink that was made with as much care and patience as you put into us.
So, if you’re reading this and you’re still at home, get your shoes on. Ditch the flower queue. Come down to Lost and Found on Ditchling Road. Let’s introduce Mum to the real taste of Sussex.
Whether it’s a hazy IPA, a crisp pilsner, or a glass of local bubbly, the first sip of discovery is waiting.
See you at the bar!
Want to stay updated on our rotating taps and upcoming events? Check out our What's On page or follow us on social media. We’re always pouring something new and exciting from the world of independent craft beer.
