ReviewA friendly welcome awaited the 'Brothers Mafia' and I at The John Harvey Tavern on our 'Xmas shopping trip' to Lewes. The town lies in a great amphitheatre of the surrounding chalk hills in a gap in the South downs cut by the river Ouse. On 27 December 1836, an avalanche occurred in Lewes, the worst ever recorded in Britain. In October 2000 the town suffered major flooding which affected the brewery and the John Harvey. There is a History Room with pictures of Cliffe High Street dating back to c1800. The town was home in the 1960s to Charlie Watts of the Rolling Stones as it is now to other musicians, notably Herbie Flowers, Arthur Brown and Tim Rice-Oxley from Keane. It has it's own local currency 'The Lewes Pound'. The 'Harvey' is a traditional pub with a rustic feel in the heart of the historic town of Lewes it is situated opposite Harveys Brewery and the Brewery shop (well worth a visit) and next to the River Ouse. A restored flint and brick building on the site of the stables of the old Bear Hotel, which burnt down in 1918. Next door was the Bear Brewery, where John Harvey first brewed in the 1820s. In effect it's the brewery tap, just a stone's throw from the Bridge Wharf Brewery itself. You can go alfresco on the pavement and look at the river across the road, but we declined that as the temperature was approaching freezing and a log burner and cosy wine Vat seating beaconed inside. The bar boasts wooden beams. The 'Harvey' seemed to attract a mixed bag of customers with 'ladies who lunch' and students sampling the fine cuisine. There is regular live entertainment with Folk, Jazz (Wednesday) and various bands or for something more traditional look out for Morris Dancing throughout the summer months and of course Remember, Remember the Fifth of November when The John Harvey Tavern is the perfect place to soak up the Bonfire Night fun, arguably the town's most important annual event. Homemade food is available at lunchtimes and evenings. Food Service Times are: Monday to Saturday Lunch Time 1200 to 1430. Evening 1800 to 2130. Sunday Full Menu plus Sunday Roast 1200 to 1630. Monday to Saturdays a selection of sandwiches are also available. We had the 'Harveys ale sausage and onion with salad garnish' served in a French stick and at just £4.50 excellent value. So good in fact that the very helpful serving girl got us details of the 'Snorkers' origins and we later paid a visit to Holmansbridge farm shop Barcombe and purchased some. As would be expected from it's location Harveys Ales served from the 'wood' including the Championship winning Best Bitter and a host of seasonal ales, cider, wines and spirits. I tried the Christmas Ale (ABV 8.1%) which is the strongest beer I have seen on handpump in the UK and at £4.50 the most expensive (I suppose you have to pay for your pleasures). Harveys say "This brew's popularity made it difficult to restrict its availability to the Festive Season. Fortunately the high alcohol level enables us to brew enough to last most of the year so enthusiasts can be kept happy all year round. It is heavily hopped, dark and strong" they do not lie. Winner of Sweden's Dagens Nyheter Christmas Beer Competions and Finlands 'Paivyri' it has also been a recipient of Finland's Olutseura Olvirtki award for 'excellently' fulfilling "The Christmas Beer regulations of the seven Brothers" described in Aleksis Kivi's novel'Seven Brother's' which was called a "ridiculous work and a blot on the name of Finnish literature". This beer has no such blemish on the face of East Sussex and my friends the 'Two Brother's' gave this sweet 'Barley wine' style ale their seal of approval. The excellent bar staff did ask if I knew how strong this 'Kamikaze' brew was? and I applaud this responsible attitude to serving alcohol. Next up I had a go at the Sussex Old Ale (aka XXXX ABV 4.3%) A Victorian style dark winter brew produced from higher proportions of crystal malt. XXXX is extremely popular and eagerly anticipated in October when it returns from summer recess. It was Harveys first beer to win a National Award in 1952 and has won many other accolades since. The only problem with these ales is that they keep getting in your mouth! As to the facilities, they have an upstairs restaurant/function room with projector and screen which can cater for up to 70 people and the tidiest toilets I've seen with some rather nice framed pictures of young ladies lounging around in their lingerie. The staff are credited with being the most helpful (but most of all, the cutest!) in Lewes and I agree! I hope I won't have to wait a year to return to this excellent establishment. http://www.johnharveytavern.co.uk/food_drink.html
