Best of Sussex Beers
At South Downs Cellars we have been supporting local breweries ever since we first opened back in 2003. The beer scene has changed dramatically since then and we are lucky in Sussex that we can boast some of the best micro/nano breweries in the country. This begs the question which breweries are our staff's favourites? Read on to find out, and should you wish to try some of these beers you can buy them online or in either of our shops. What’s more, 3 out of the 8 breweries listed here are guests at our October 2nd Beer Tasting event in Lindfield.
Lucy, Owner/Founder/Buyer – North Garden Brewery, Burgess Hill
North Garden Brewery is an independent nanobrewery based in Burgess Hill. Their taproom has hosted previous South Downs Cellars staff events, and their beer is enjoyed by the whole team. When Lucy wants a beer, it is usually a refreshing lager that she looks for and the Town Square Czech Pilsner and the Road to Masca German Pilsner both beautifully hit the spot.
Ed, Assistant Retail Manager / Beer Buyer – Lakedown, Burwash
All Lakedown beers start with Spring Water that is sourced from the farm and then they add only the finest malt, yeast, hops and of course, time. As a rule, their beers are easy drinking, sessionable, super fresh and mostly vegan and gluten free. Ed loves accessible and tasty beer and the gluten free nature of the beers helps too. The San Diego WCIPA and the Off the Hook APA are his go to beers.
Matt, Retail Sales Manager – As Intended, Arundel
The As Intended team dream has always been to open a brewery and things have turned out as intended. They opened in the summer of 2025 and are brewing easy going, simple, & tasty modern beers. With past experience working for Beak and Northern Monk the brew team know how to craft a yummy beer. Matt has diligently been taste testing them for the past year and can confirm that their beers are well worth drinking.
Matthew, Retail and Private Client Manager – Burning Sky, Firle
Burning Sky, a brewers dream. The dream of a long term brewer with a love of both punchy hop forward pales and of the beautiful Belgian beer tradition. A brewers brewery, they are fortunate to be blessed with a talented team crafting some of the best beer in the country. Matthew has always been a classy guy with classic tastes and a love of Belgian beers, so Burning Sky’s house style hits the nail bang on the head.
Richard, Warehouse Manager – Beak, Lewes
Beak are a small independent brewery and taproom in the historic brewing town of Lewes. They love making everything from hop-forward IPAs and best bitters to saisons and imperial stouts. Our warehouse manager, Richard, has been a fan ever since we went there on a staff visit in 2024. Whilst he is less keen on the saisons and sours, Richard is now a big fan of the hop heavy pales and IPAs that are a speciality of Beak.
Andrew, Trade Account Manager – Abyss, Lewes
Abyss was born in the cellar of The Pelham Arms, Lewes, in 2016. In 2021 Abyss moved to a more spacious site on the other side of Lewes where they have their modern brewery and tap room. Andrew has championed Abyss since the early days in the Pelham Arms. Whilst all of the beers are worth tasting, Andrew particularly enjoys their powerful New England styles such as Dank Marvin, Super Fuzz and Tropical Thunder.
Steve, Logistics / Delivery Driver – Unbarred, Brighton
UnBarred is an independent brewery established in 2014 in the shed of their founder and Head Brewer Jordan Mower. Since establishing their taproom and brewery in the heart of Brighton in August 2019, Unbarred have quadrupled production. Whilst they are well known for their pale ales, it is the stouts that attract Steve’s attention. Stoutzilla and Bueno Shake are both favourites, especially the barrel-aged imperial versions.
Bob, Logistics / Delivery Driver – Missing Link, Chiddinglye
Missing Link are an established micro brewery in the heart of the Sussex countryside and High Weald, producing some of the finest craft beers including NEPAs, Pale Ales and IPAs. They also have a very popular tap room at the brewery, in which on occasion you may catch sight of part-time driver Bob. The Gibbon APA and Howler Pilsner are his two favourites, and good news for celiacs is that they are both gluten-free.