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Disappointment of the week with Real Ale Ray
on the Pub Forum
Detail Pages
The Rook Taproom, Brighton
Brighton
BN1 3EG
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7 of 10) see review guidelines
Will Larter left this review about The Rook Taproom
Now reopened as the Rook Taproom, but the previous pub is easily discernable as this is one of Camra's heritage interiors and it wouldn't do to change too much. Beer lists are not sacred, though. There are now just two hand pumps on the bar, one of which had Marble Manchester Bitter and the other a strangely bland and cloudy beer from local Hand Brew, whose beer I last tasted in Kirkby Stephen. Small world. I had a keg beer from local Beak brewery, and do you know, it was cold and fizzy and tasted of citrus fruits. I went for the Hand beer, and came back a couple of days later for the Marble, which didn't taste anything like I remembered from three years ago in Sheffield. I'll have to try it again when I get back up north - it's probably the sparkler makes the difference. Despite my beer calamities, I really like this pub. Is there a cure for this affliction?
On 10th February 2024
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3733 recommendations about 3470 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about Brighton Beer Dispensary
In the sightline of the thing that resembles a bagel sliding up and down a snooker cue, until about four years ago this was the Prince Arthur, a sweet little pub with two doors, ‘In’ and ‘Out’ though this edict doesn’t seem to be strictly enforced. Inside, and it’s a mix of old and contemporary. The bar is panelled with an attractive bar back, the walls are part t ‘n’ g panelled, slender metal structural columns hold up the ceiling. The floor’s bare boarded and furniture is a mixture of the conventional, low or tall. There’s also much bare brick and hipster filament lamps hang from the low ceiling on low flexes. The hipster tableau is completed with the presence of a friendly, pogonic barman.
Too many ales to mention, I went for the Pomona Island Brewing Co’s Pale at £2.05 a half and very good it was too. Indeed, all in our group seemed suitably impressed with their choices.
This is definitely one to include in a crawl – I thought it was one of the day’s highlights.
On 27th April 2018
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1983 recommendations about 1949 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Will Larter left this review about Brighton Beer Dispensary
What some people might describe as an unfinished look is just the informal, relaxed and even slightly rough feel that I think can denote a pleasant drinking environment. The Beer Dispensary is a must-visit when in Brighton, for its excellent selection of beers and ciders from both cask and keg. It always seems to be busy (I've visited at several different times of day) with a good mix of people of different ages and types. I've only ever had one beer that was not quite right - I had Southey Best 4.5% one evening and went for the same beer the next afternoon, having enjoyed it the night before, but it now tasted well below par. The barman at first claimed that the beer was ok and it was meant to be like that, but when I pointed out that it didn't taste the same as the night before he immediately changed it. I can't imagine a visit to Brighton now without coming here.
Date of visits: 22nd & 23rd March 2018
On 27th April 2018
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3733 recommendations about 3470 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
john gray left this review about Brighton Beer Dispensary
Found this pub had a half finished feel about it Good beer selection and my Pamona Island beer was one of the better on the day.
On 13th April 2018
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1023 recommendations about 1009 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about Brighton Beer Dispensary
Not much to add to the previous reviews and am in agreement that it was one of the best pubs for beer choice we visited on our trip to Brighton. For the record I went for the Brighton Beir South Coast and very good it was too..
On 4th April 2018
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2110 recommendations about 1992 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about Brighton Beer Dispensary
I really liked this small pub,the street on which it's set gives a great view of the ascending or descending obolisk known as British Airways i360.There are some seats outside,while the interior is charming with a few tables,room for vertical drinking,and a lower level narrow conservatory with slate flooring and french windows to the smallest courtyard imaginable.
There is a long beer list with 9 kegs,3 real ciders/perry and 6 real ales which on my trip were Brighton Beir West Pier and South Coast,Siren Broken Dream,Southey Best and Pomona Island Pale on very good form.Clearly the pub will give handpump space to some start up brewers as well as their own output.
Should be on any real ale crawl and I liked the pub ,so it's on the revisit list.
On 1st April 2018
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2727 recommendations about 2727 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Brighton Beer Dispensary
Compact side-street terrace pub, formerly the Prince Albert, with the interior having something of an alehouse feel. Not much seating in the bar area, but more space is available down a short staircase in the rear conservatory and the there a few small patio tables out front. Eight of the nine handpumps were in operation when we stopped by, with five real ales - including Brighton Beir West Pier - two ciders and a perry available. There is also a row of craft keg taps on the bar-back.
On 31st March 2018
- rating: 7
[User has posted 8086 recommendations about 8086 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about Brighton Beer Dispensary
The interior of this pub was quite Dickensian in style, with the majority of the main bar area made up from dark stained timbers, which included some panelled walls, partitions and a boarded floor. The rear conservatory was an added bonus, which looked Victorian in style, especially with its cast iron pillars running along each side to support the roof. An extensive choice of decent beer in here, I went for the Brighton Beir West Pier, which went down well along with the Pompona Pale.
On 30th March 2018
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Moby Duck left this review about Brighton Beer Dispensary
A small mid terrace pub with many beer choices available from eight pumps as well as gravity dispense,there are also craft keg options,there is a small main bar area with a second glass roofed semi conservatory room down a couple of steps to the rear.My pint of Late Knights Worm Catcher was in good nick but not quite to my taste.Well worth a visit but could be quite cramped at times.
On 26th June 2016
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1871 recommendations about 1844 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
hondo . left this review about Brighton Beer Dispensary
A small 2 roomed bar on ground level(didn't visit upstairs area). A blackboard proclaims the beers that are on 4 real ales available.
On 7th April 2016
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 2883 recommendations about 2820 pubs]