Founded in 1790 and Sussex’s oldest independent brewery, Harveys is almost synonymous with the delightful market town of Lewes. Once the font of revolution – the free-thinker and US founding father Thomas Paine spent six formative years here – more recently Lewes became a pioneer of local sustainability. It was one of the first towns to have a regular farmers’ market in the 1990s, and Harveys’ head brewer, Miles Jenner, steadfastly sticks to buying its raw materials from local growers, and restricts distribution of his beers to a 60 mile radius of the brewery.

Nevertheless, the fame of Harveys’ beers has spread – they are never off the podium – and demand for tours is so high there is as much as a two-year wait for these evening events.

But it’s worth it. To be regaled by Miles and his team on the history of brewing and the heritage of Harveys, to take a walk around the historic Grade II-listed building finishing in the cask and bottling cellar prior to a tasting of both regular and seasonal ales, is a rare treat.

Just 75 minutes from London by train, plus a ten-minute walk, this is the place for an intriguing insight into a regional – some would say national – hero.

Silverware

• Miles Jenner, Brewer of the Year – 2009 Guild of Beer Writers annual awards
• Bill Brewer – Trophy, low alcohol/no alcohol class, 2009 & 2010 International Beer Challenge
• Prince of Denmark – Gold, 2010 International Beer Challenge 
• Mild Ale – World’s Best Mild Ale, 2010 World Beer Awards

Eco-friendly initiatives

• Ingredients – Harveys has its own Artesian spring water supply and uses local hops & barley
• Spent hops & grains – these are recycled to local gardeners and farmers, including Plumpton College 
• Local – distribution is kept within a 60 miles radius of brewery.
• Bottles – these are re-used when returned by customers

Annual Events

• Dancing in the Old Ale – first Saturday, October

Community

Harveys is a major sponsor of all local charities

Trade bodies

CAMRA, cask marque, IFBB

Visited Spring 2010