The Victory Inn, Brighton

We quite liked the Victory when we did Brighton in November 2014, and I had it in mind for a revisit. It's one of those pubs that attracts a mixed crowd, with one-off tourists mixing with regulars and student-types to create a good atmosphere. There are six hand pumps, two of which had ciders on, the real ales at the time of my visit being Dark Star Hop Head, Laine Bestest Bitter, Langham Black Swallow and Unbarred White IPA. Probably the most interesting beer selection of my eight pubs on this day, and I enjoyed my Black Swallow, a 6% black IPA. The best pub in this part of town, in my view. Date of visit: 1st January 2017

Have to say that my experience was very similar to the previous reviewer in that The Victory Inn wasn’t on my original list of places for a visit, but I was enticed in by the attractive pub exterior and liked what I found inside. A good traditional two sectioned interior and after quick and efficient service from the friendly barmaid I was soon ensconced on one of the pew seats with pint and pork scratchings to do a bit of people watching as the eclectic mix of Brighton shoppers, locals and tourists utilised the Victory. Alongside the standard draft offerings there are six hand pumps on the bar, two for Thatchers ciders and four ale pumps which had four ales all from Sussex breweries. For my visit Pin Up Beers Pale Ale, WJKings Festive and Laines Brewery Best were available alongside Dark Star Original, advertised as the Ale of the day at £3.15 a pint. Tried the Dark Star as I thought it rude not to as it was the ale of the day and the Pin Up brew and both were well kept pints. Like other reviewers have now added this to places to drop into again when next in town.