Review: The Watchmaker’s Arms Hove

You know you’re in a beery place when there are casks under tables and hops hanging from the ceiling.

This is an instantly comfortable place; compact but light and unfussy. At night it’s dimly but warmly lit with filament bulbs and rope lighting, and about 20% of the punters tonight are dogs.

The timepiece decoration here and there adds some subtle Brighton and Hove quirkiness, and nods to a past use of the space as a… well the clue’s in the name.

Chatting to who we assume is the Landlord we find out that he would quite liked to have called it The Bird Fanciers, after another shop that once stood here, but eventually decided against it.

This micropub has an enviable selection of quality beer listed on the chalk-board, focusing on cask (which will please the CAMRA drinkers) but with one or two keg options too. They come from near and far – with gluten-free and low abv beers among them – as well as six different ciders, which is a rare but appreciated offering in this city.

Here’s a rundown of the cask ales we tried on our visit:

Gun Dark Ale 4.3%
A dark, delicious and inviting beer. Rich and nutty with a hint of sweetness. Deep but well rounded, it’s a traditional dark beer with a juicy and slightly spicy finish.

Franklins Avalon 4%
A pale cloudy beer with refreshing tropical, citrus  notes. Not too tangy, as smoothed off by the oats. It’s a juicy ale ready for summer sessioning, and it slides down easy.

Three Legs English IPA 5%
A more traditional style beer, with flavours of orange and a distinctive and robust hop finish.

Wine is also available, and if you get peckish there’s a simple and succulent sausage roll menu for eats.

The Watchmaker’s offers ale (and cider) lovers a real treat. Its relaxed atmosphere and independent feel really makes it stand out across Brighton and Hove as a great pub destination.

In the summer tables and chairs appear out the front so that punters can enjoy their beers with the sun on their faces.

You know you’re in a beery place when there are casks under tables and hops hanging from the ceiling.

This is an instantly comfortable place. Compact but light and unfussy, at night it’s dimly but warmly lit with filament bulbs and rope lighting, and about 20% of the punters tonight are dogs.

The timepiece decoration here and there adds some subtle Brighton and Hove quirkiness, and nods to a past use of the space as a… well the clues in the name.

Chatting to who we assume is the Landlord we find out that he would quite liked to have called it The Bird Fanciers, after another shop that once stood here, but eventually decided against it.

This micropub has an enviable selection of quality beer listed on the chalk-board, focusing on cask (which will please the CAMRA drinkers) but with one or two keg options also. They come from near and far – with gluten-free and low abv beers among them – as well as six different ciders, which is a rare but appreciated offering in this city.

Here’s a rundown of the cask ales we tried on our visit:

Gun Dark Ale 4.3%
A dark, delicious inviting beer. Rich and nutty with a hint of sweetness. Deep but well rounded, it’s a traditional dark beer with a juicy and slightly spicy finish.

Franklins Avalon 4%
A pale cloudy beer with refreshing tropical, citrus  notes. Not too tangy, as smoothed off by the oats. It’s a juicy ale ready for summer sessioning, and it slides down easy.

Three Legs English IPA 5%
A more traditional style beer with flavours of orange and a distinctive and robust hop finish.

Wine is also available, and if you get peckish there’s a simple and succulent sausage roll menu for eats.

The Watchmaker’s offers ale (and cider) lovers a real treat. Its relaxed atmosphere and independent feel really makes it stand out across Brighton and Hove as a great pub destination.

In the summer tables and chairs appear out the front so that punters can enjoy their beers with the sun on their faces.