Offering an impartial appraisal of Britain’s pubs, the Good Beer Guide 2022 is out now, backed by musician and a publican James Blunt, containing nine Brighton pubs.
The Good Beer Guide is the biggest book of pubs and breweries in Britain, with thousands of recommendations from CAMRA volunteers across the country.
The only directory created by members of CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, every pub or bar listed has been carefully selected by volunteers who have visited them and tasted the beers.
You’ll find more than 4,500 listings across the UK’s best pubs, bars and breweries, chosen by local CAMRA volunteers as having the best cask beers available – or you can check out the special brewery section to discover new breweries setting the scene alight with interesting, exciting new brews.
Pubs are rated on atmosphere, quality of beer and how well they cater for real ale drinkers.
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James Blunt supports the Great British pub
Best-selling singer James Blunt has thrown his support behind the Great British pub and reflected on the industry’s struggles during the coronavirus pandemic, in his foreword for CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide 2022.
Following 18 months of struggles for the industry in the face of restrictions and lockdowns, Blunt, who owns the 17th-century Fox & Pheasant pub in Chelsea, remarks that as both a musician and a publican, he has “pretty much chosen the worst two jobs for a global pandemic”.
However, with his trademark optimism, he highlights the importance of pubs to communities and encourages Brits to get back to the pub to support their locals.
He said: “Whilst, in recent years, there might have been a trend for people to drink cheap supermarket beer at home, those people have been locked away for the best part of a year, and now those people want out.
“They can taste real beer from the tap, and food cooked by a pro, and they can meet legally and joyfully.”
CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide App
Now fully updated with CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide 2022 punters can tap into Britain’s best pubs from their mobile phone.
Putting thousands of pubs, beers and breweries at your fingertips, the app uses information compiled, and continuously updated, by pub-goers all over the UK.
Letting you get social, the app allows you to follow, post and even score beers to influence the inclusion of pubs in the Good Beer Guide.
The Good Beer Guide app compiles data from more than 37,000 real ale licensed premises, over 13,000 beers and 2,000 breweries. The data is collected and maintained by CAMRA members and is powered by WhatPub, CAMRA’s online pub database.
:: The Good Beer Guide 2022 is available now through CAMRA’s website priced at £15.99
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Brighton pubs in CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide 2022
Basketmakers Arms
Where: 12 Gloucester Road, BN1 4AD
What the guide says: "A much-loved Brighton institution, now under new management.
"Eight handpumps serve a selection of the Fuller’s range plus guests.
"The walls are adorned with old metal signs and tobacco tins. Live jazz music features on the first Sunday of every month.
Brighton Bierhaus
Where: 161 Edward Street, BN2 0JB
What the guide says: "This single-bar outlet is the Brighton Bier Brewery tap and is centrally situated near the Royal Pavilion and Brighton Pier.
"It serves up to five changing beers and two ciders on handpump along with keg and bottled beers."
Evening Star
Where: 55-56 Surrey Street, BN1 3PB
What the guide says: "A classic, compact Brighton pub/alehouse five minutes from the station, majoring in good real ale and craft beers.
"Fairly basic in decor, it has window seats and a few tables outside on the street, and there are board games to choose from."
Hand in Hand
Where: 3 Upper St James’s Street, Kemp Town, BN2 1JN
What the guide says: "One of the smallest pubs in the country still finds room for the smallest tower brewery in the world.
"Kemptown beers are brewed on-site by Brighton Bier and are sold exclusively in the bar, together with beers from other micros.
"The pub is home to cricket and volleyball teams and hosts jazz sessions every Sunday."
READ MORE: Good Beer Guide 2021: See the South East London pubs that made the list
Hanover
Where: 242 Queens Park Road, Hanover, BN2 9ZB
What the guide says: "An estate pub dating from the late 1920s, since opened out but retaining its well-used function/meeting room.
"Part of the Indigo chain, it stocks a range of Sussex ales plus a local cider on handpump.
"There is a quiz night on Tuesdays and occasional live music."
Haus on the Hill
Where: 58 Southover Street, Hanover, BN2 9UF
What the guide says: "This pub, previously the Southover, is now operated by Brighton Bier.
"Conversation is the norm here and there is no TV or jukebox.
"A guest beer is always sold, along with three from Brighton Bier plus a cider. A number of bottled ales and keg brews, both British and foreign, complete the range.”
Lord Nelson Inn
Where: 36 Trafalgar Street, BN1 4ED
What the guide says: "Flagship Harvey’s pub just down Trafalgar Street from the station.
"It remains cosy and traditional despite benefiting from a recent makeover, and having taken over the shop next door.
"This is the place to sample Harvey’s beer range, including its craft brews."
Mitre Tavern
Where: 13 Baker Street, BN1 4JN
What the guide says: "Situated between the London Road shops and the Level Park, this is a good old-fashioned side-street pub that has hardly changed in decades.
"Subdued background music does not detract from the lively banter in this two roomed Harvey’s establishment.
"The regular beers are Harvey’s XX Mild and Sussex Best bitter, joined by Old Ale in winter and Olympia during the summer, when a cider is also available."
Prince Albert
Where: 48 Trafalgar Street, BN1 4ED
What the guide says: "Large multi-roomed Victorian free house originally built as a hotel serving Brighton railway station.
"Six constantly used handpumps chiefly dispense beers from local breweries or guest beers from further afield.
"The pub is famous for the Kissing Coppers artwork by Banksy on the pub wall."
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