Five British Seaside Beers

, Five British Seaside Beers

If you’re making the trip across the pond promise me you won’t let London kidnap you? It may be a top beer city but you can’t say you’ve been to Britain unless you’ve made a trip to the seaside. Work up a thirst by spending an hour on the beach trying to make the best sandcastle possible after which you can head for the pub. These breweries are all on or near the south coast of England so if you put your mind to it you should be able to manage a seaside pint on day trip from London.

, Five British Seaside Beers1. Dark Star Brewery: Hophead (3.8%)

The Dark Star Brewing Company  started life in a pub called The Evening Star in the seaside city of Brighton (aka London-on-Sea) and are pioneers of the British craft beer scene. Hophead is one of their best known beers. It’s packed with US Cascade hops and, as you’d expect, benefits from resinous bitterness and an explosion of tropical fruit – but presented in characteristically low ABV British bitter style.

2. Gadds’ Ramsgate Brewery: No 3 Pale Ale (5%)

From the British hop growing stronghold that is the county of Kent – to the south east of London – comes this traditional British pale ale made with locally grown hops. It’s lip-smackingly bitter, deliciously drinkable and well worth pairing with fish and chips. Gadds’ other beers are also top notch. Head to backstreet local The Montefiore Arms in Ramsgate to quaff a few pints the way the Head Brewer intends them to be enjoyed (he’s also the pub landlord).

, Five British Seaside Beers3. Southbourne Ales: Stroller (4.6%)


Who drinks an oatmeal stout in summer? Someone who welcomes a break from the dominance of golden ales on British bars! At the time of writing brewer and founder of Southbourne Ales Jennifer Tingay doesn’t even have her own brewery (she cuckoo brews in slots at other breweries) but that hasn’t stopped her from winning a silver medal for Stroller at the International Brewing Awards – known in the UK as the brewing Oscars. (Southbourne is a village near the major seaside town of Bournemouth in Dorset).

4. Palmers Brewery: Best Bitter (4.2%)


This beer claims to be an IPA, but it isn’t. Don’t let that put you off though as the brewery has an admirable commitment to beer quality and freshness. It’s an amber coloured brew with a decent lasting head. As you’d expect from a British bitter it’s sessionable, with tangy hops and balancing caramel malts. Although not the best location for sandcastle building (not a sandy beach) I recommend you head to West Bay for a pint of Palmers Best. Palmers has two pubs – with rooms if you want to stay – in this little seaside town just outside Bridport where the brewery is based. If you’re a fan of quaint Britishness as well as craft beer you will love the fact that Palmers is the only brewery in the UK with a thatched roof.

, Five British Seaside Beers5. Goddard’s Fuggle De Dum (4.8%)

You’ve got to love a beer named after a hop. Fuggle is a traditional British variety and a relative of US variety Willamette. You’ll find typically British earthy, peppery bitterness in this beer from the Isle of Wight (just over the water from Portsmouth) and a beautiful dry finish that makes you want more. If you don’t have time to cross the water you should be able find this in pubs on the south coast, in the New Forest, and even in London (but don’t drink it there because that would be cheating).
 
Don’t forget to send us your sandcastle snaps…

About AmericanCraftBeer.com

AmericanCraftBeer.com is the nations' leading source for the Best Craft Beer News, Reviews, Events and Media.
Scroll To Top