The Brewery Shades, Crawley

Semi-modernised multi-level-multi-roomer that has an early ‘00s feel though retains a bit of character through most areas being of small acreage. Internal flora and unexplained skeletons hanging from the ceiling. To the rear is a sunken area which is food-oriented. Mildly taken aback to see eight pumps on the bar with two ciders and six cask (though only four were on) offering an eclectic selection of TT Landlord, Verdant Lightbulb, Elusive and Tiny Rebel. The Light Bulb was flabby (NBSS 2) and I was the only person on the ale; at 3 quid a half I wasn't best impressed. A group of lads were investigating the cans and be quoted so rather high prices. Inevitably it's GBG listed but it feels very much a pump count entry to me, the young uber-Crawley tweenage barmaids were certainly fairly dismissive of the cask as I earwigged into a conversation between them.

Official site of Brewery Shades - www.breweryshades.co.uk

Official site of Brewery Shades - www.breweryshades.co.uk

The Brewery Shades is an L-shaped pub with bar to the right of the entrance with sunken seating around the left and rear sides. During a Friday evening visit last year there was some background music playing. The television was off, but BT Sport was advertised. The bar supports a premium keg range alongside Fosters. There is also a large range of cask ale with Dark Star’s Revelation and Pale Ale, Weltons Horsham Old, Timothy Taylor’s Landlord, Dark Revolution Dog Daze, Handcrafted House Ale’s Brewery Shades Bitter, Bedlam Brewery’s Benchmark, Brighton Bier 4-3-1 That’s My Number, Greene King’s Old Speckled Hen and Cocksure Molasses Stout all being available. There are also four real ciders available which were Westons Old Rosie and Rosie’s Pig, Thistle Cross and South Down Honey Cider. Food is also available. This pub was good and the service was polite, but I wasn’t a fan of Crawley Town center so I do not plan to return to the area anytime soon.

Flagged bar area, resaurant and lounge, ok layout, seating area outside in square. Nice enough