What the website says…
The Dark Star Brewing Company was born in 1994 in the cellar of a pub in Brighton. With a brew plant only marginally bigger than an enthusiastic home-brew kit the characteristic style of hoppy beers was developed and tried out on the willing guinea pigs at the bar.
The brewery is named after a song by the band The Grateful Dead, although if you have a heard a different story, use that, never let the truth stand in the way of a good yarn.
Our take on Dark Star Brewing Co…
The range from Dark Star Brewing Co is classic and steeped in traditional cask malts and hoppiness, however in recent years the range has expanded to tap options with their Lager and Session IPA, and getting a bit experimental, such as the decedent Crème brûlée. The brewery shop also has loads of their range canned and bottled for takeaway.
A bit of history…
The original Brighton brewer who started life in the cellar of the Evening Star in 1994. Ok, so they weren’t the first, but as the current crop of local brewers that have operated continuously since inception, they take that plaudit.
The website doesn’t go into much detail on a lot of fronts though. Firstly regarding the parting of the ways of the original brewery founders, leaving one to run the Evening Star pub, the legendary birthplace of the brewery, and the other, James Cuthbertson, to develop the brewing at Partridge Green.
Thankfully the pub continued to support the Dark Star range and Dark Star Brewing Co grew very successfully over the years and in 2018 went from being independent to being owned by Fuller Smith & Turner’s (Fuller’s).
Fuller’s beer business was subsequently bought out by Asahi Europe Ltd for £250 million in early 2019 which acquired the brands of the beer business, which we assume included all the Dark Star range. James Cuthbertson had remained at the helm, but left without a statement that summer.
The Dark Star operation still appears to be continuing as normal according to their website and social media.
How local are they?
Until 2019 everything was brewed at the Partridge Green site, however after the acquisition by Fuller’s, the plan according to James, was for Partridge Green become more of an experimental small batch operation, as capacity was freed up by key ranges like Hophead being produced at Fuller’s in London.
Our favourites 🍺
You still cannot go far wrong with a pint of their classic Hophead on draught. Smooth, light and immensely quaffable with good body considering the 3.8%abv.
Not into Yoga is a great summer cask beer if you are looking for something more tropical and robust at 4.5%.
Finally, the autumn seasonal Green Hopped IPA that is really special. At 6.5% it’s an annual treat as you simply cannot beat the tangy sweetness of the fresh hops. We were lucky enough to try this fresh out the tank at the brewery once, the smell was to die for and it’s a taste that will never be forgotten.
Star Road
Partridge Green
West Sussex
RH13 8RA
01403 713085
Star Road
Partridge Green
West Sussex
RH13 8RA
01403 713085
What the website says…
The Dark Star Brewing Company was born in 1994 in the cellar of a pub in Brighton. With a brew plant only marginally bigger than an enthusiastic home-brew kit the characteristic style of hoppy beers was developed and tried out on the willing guinea pigs at the bar.
The brewery is named after a song by the band The Grateful Dead, although if you have a heard a different story, use that, never let the truth stand in the way of a good yarn.
Our take on Dark Star Brewing Co…
The range from Dark Star Brewing Co is classic and steeped in traditional cask malts and hoppiness, however in recent years the range has expanded to tap options with their Lager and Session IPA, and getting a bit experimental, such as the decedent Crème brûlée. The brewery shop also has loads of their range canned and bottled for takeaway.
A bit of history…
The original Brighton brewer who started life in the cellar of the Evening Star in 1994. Ok, so they weren’t the first, but as the current crop of local brewers that have operated continuously since inception, they take that plaudit.
The website doesn’t go into much detail on a lot of fronts though. Firstly regarding the parting of the ways of the original brewery founders, leaving one to run the Evening Star pub, the legendary birthplace of the brewery, and the other, James Cuthbertson, to develop the brewing at Partridge Green.
Thankfully the pub continued to support the Dark Star range and Dark Star Brewing Co grew very successfully over the years and in 2018 went from being independent to being owned by Fuller Smith & Turner’s (Fuller’s).
Fuller’s beer business was subsequently bought out by Asahi Europe Ltd for £250 million in early 2019 which acquired the brands of the beer business, which we assume included all the Dark Star range. James Cuthbertson had remained at the helm, but left without a statement that summer.
The Dark Star operation still appears to be continuing as normal according to their website and social media.
How local are they?
Until 2019 everything was brewed at the Partridge Green site, however after the acquisition by Fuller’s, the plan according to James, was for Partridge Green become more of an experimental small batch operation, as capacity was freed up by key ranges like Hophead being produced at Fuller’s in London.
Our favourites 🍺
You still cannot go far wrong with a pint of their classic Hophead on draught. Smooth, light and immensely quaffable with good body considering the 3.8%abv.
Not into Yoga is a great summer cask beer if you are looking for something more tropical and robust at 4.5%.
Finally, the autumn seasonal Green Hopped IPA that is really special. At 6.5% it’s an annual treat as you simply cannot beat the tangy sweetness of the fresh hops. We were lucky enough to try this fresh out the tank at the brewery once, the smell was to die for and it’s a taste that will never be forgotten.
Related Articles
Interview – Mark Tranter @ Burning Sky
Mark Tranter of Burning Sky tells us how chance encounter with a bottle of Orval spawned 2 of Sussex’ most revered breweries Read Full Article
Covid-19. Waiting it out, not going without
The local pubs and Sussex Breweries offering takeaway and delivery during Coronavirus Read Full Article
Trackbacks/Pingbacks