Brighton: New taproom opening in the Lanes next week

Mad Dog Brewery, a microbrewery from Cardiff, will open its first English taproom in Brighton’s Duke Street next week.

Tim Waters, who bought the original brewery and taproom in May 2021, said Brighton was his first choice when it came to expanding because of the city’s "great vibe and brilliant culture".

Mad Dog Brewery, in Duke Street, opens next week (Image: Maria Ashby-Giles Photography)

“People like to enjoy themselves here and we provide something of quality that people can truly enjoy,” Tim said.

Mad Dog’s craft beers, brewed with water fresh from the Brecon Beacons, are all vegan, gluten free and made without preservatives.

For the first week, from the opening day on Friday, July 19, until Thursday, July 25, pints will cost £5.

Each floor of the refurbished building at 24 Duke Street, formerly Sicilian restaurant Monjibello, has been decorated to represent their brews.

The ground floor reflects the company’s pale ales, which include the extra pale Great Scott, easy-drinking Hair of the Dog and citrussy Marmalade IPA.

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Some of Mad Dog's signature beers (Image: Maria Ashby-Giles Photography)

The first floor will represent their amber brews, including their chocolatey Welsh red ale Now In a Minute. While the second floor celebrates Mad Dog’s stouts and dark beers, including the best-selling Stouty McStoutFace.

The new taproom will also serve selected guest beers, including an alcohol free craft beer, as well as a full range of wines, spirits and soft drinks. Customers can also get snacks including empanadas and made-to-order pinsas, which are light and crispy pizza appetizers with different toppings.

Mad Dog Brewery opens next Friday (Image: Maria Ashby-Giles Photography)

Tim was a novice brewer when he bought Mad Dog Brewery in 2021. Now he’s delighted to be taking the brewery into new territory. He said: “Brighton is a city that knows its beer, so I’m confident it’s the right place for Mad Dog. 

“We’re adding another choice to the already high quality of brilliant Brighton breweries currently selling their craft brew - it’s a high standard that I hope to match to build on the city’s great range of craft brew on offer. We’ve got a great location here in the heart of the famous Lanes and I can’t wait to see our first customers enjoying one of our freshly-poured preservative free pints.”