The Brunswick, Hove

This is a top beer destination pub, with three cask ales and nine craft beers. I went for Big Hug Brewing's Awakening, a 4.7% black IPA. This was an astonishing £4.40/pint on the blackboard but my half was an un-arithmetical £2.25. After paying considerably more in many of Brighton's pubs I was pleased to discover Hove pricing. This was a most unusual black IPA, with a hint of pepper about it. Interestingly, the same beer was available in it's craft keg form, this time priced at £6.05; ok, I wasn't that interested. This pub, which previous photos show in off-white, has succumbed to the fashion for black or dark grey paint - inside as well as out. I'm prepared to forgive on this occasion and would be happy to return.

Approaching the Brunswick, I was struck by the sizeable beer garden. Entering the pub, I found a cool, laid-back, big room. The bar offered craft cask & keg, plus Peroni, Kozel, Urquell & Orchard Pig cider. My half of cask Downlands cask should have been returned but, to be fair, they did turn the clip after I drew the poor quality to the attention of the bar staff. I opted for craft keg for my next drink. Both cask & keg featured a strong local emphasis. I found The Brunswick to be a pleasant place to hang out for an hour or so, but they need to watch the beer quality to make it a must-visit.