Kings Head, Lewes

As one can see from the pub’s photographs the Kings Head is an attractive pub that sits well in the little village of East Hoathly. It is home to the 1648 Brewing Company that is located in the adjacent stables brewery to the left and as such there were three 1648 ales on when I visited last week. Harveys Best was also available and a fifth hand pump was sitting unused. There isn’t a great selection of draught products, but it would be criminal to tuck into lager when in a brewery tap. Something that I haven’t seen advertised for a while were the two and four pint take-away boxes for those that like a tipple at home. Traditional pub food is served and the mains come in at around £9 and sandwiches are available for £4.50 which is about par for the area. The pub itself is L-shaped with a little function room to the left and conventional tables are found throughout whilst the décor is in keeping with the surroundings. Lots of award certificates from the Society of Independent Brewers proudly sit up on the walls and there was no distraction by TV or background music. I found the lady and gentleman (landlord/landlady?) that were serving to be very friendly as were the few locals in attendance. Some picnic tables are located outside the front of the pub where there is also some parking. This pub is well worth turning off the A22 for and I will pop in again when next travelling from London to the South Coast. QI: The Stables Brewery makes 1152 pints per brew and there are four brews a week. Also, the spent hops are left in bags outside the door for anyone who wants to take away to use as fertiliser on their garden.

This attractive 17th century pub is home to the 1648 Brewing Company which is located in the old stables next door. And as such you can expect a good range of their beers available (along with Alton's Pride and Harvey's Sussex Best on my visit) and – as you would expect from a brewpub – the beer quality was excellent in the three I tried. The pub itself is light, airy and catches the sun well. There is an attractive tiled-floor room in addition to the main bar which is decorated with some nice painted bottles along the ledging. Look out for the unusual (unique?) double-decker urinal arrangement. Both appear to plumbed, so take your pick! And watch your head on the way out! All in all, a super pub and well-recommended.