Duke of Wellington, Shoreham-By-Sea

The Wellington is an excellent beer-focussed pub a short walk east of Shoreham's main attractions (such as they are), owned by one of the founders of the late Dark Star Brewery. I found 8 or so handpumps serving independent brewery ale from Gun, Only With Love and so on and including their own 4.8% APA, in tribute to the now lost Dark Star brew. A good selection of well-chosen kegs supplements these, making an extended stop an easy option for the ale afficionado. The music may be a little louder than I'd really like, but there's a great buzz of conversation in this rightly busy pub.

I was expecting this to be the highlight of our trip to Shoreham. Whilst it was a close call, I marginally preferred Piston Broke. Nevertheless, this is a great traditional pub with a single room stretching around the bar and a stage for live music on the right-hand side. The atmosphere was convivial and whilst we were there, a guy started to sing and play the piano. He had a good voice and helped to create a really nice ambience. Gun Zanzama IPA is the regular beer (at 6.5%, I saved this one until last). Other beers were Gun Scaramanga, Burning Sky Plateau & Fallow, Cellar Head Fuggle Rock & Flapjack & their own Duke of Wellington Brewhouse American Pale, which seemed to be really popular with the locals. There were also a couple of ciders - Healey's Flattler & Lilley's Peach Cider. Gun NEIPA was a craft beer and they also seemed to have a fridge full of German bottled beers, which were also listed on a laminated sheet. Presumably this was some kind of Oktoberfest.

Dark Star Hophead, Sunburst, & Original, Crouch Vale Top Sail, & Thatchers cider occupied the 5 handpumps, an impressive line-up. Piano on far side of bar, but apart from that and the very attractive original windows, an otherwise very modern, rather bland appearance, which was a shame. Note on wall states that ‘anyone mentioning a brewery with the initials GK, or a football team CP' will pay a forfeit to the lifeboat charity box. Needs to be busy to hide the lack of character, but fantastic beer.

Official site of The Duke Of Wellington - dukeofwellingtonbrewhouse.co.uk