Lakedown Brewing Co, a family-run, independent microbrewery and taproom, has opened in rural East Sussex. It is creating modern and traditional beers in can, bottle, keg, and cask.
The business is named after the scenic, spring-fed lakes that Roger Daltrey, of The Who, created in the 1970s as a peaceful oasis to escape the mania of touring. This rural family farm and fishery inspired Lakedown Brewing Co, and is home to its taproom bar.
Lakedown Brewing Co is the brainchild of brothers-in-law Jamie Daltrey, Christopher Rule, and Des Murphy. They said: “Lakedown Brewing Co offers a range of full-flavoured, modern, and traditional beers in can, bottle, keg and cask. Our inspiration was Lakedown, our family farm in East Sussex, a traditional hop growing area of the country, where we would often enjoy a post-work pint together.
The Lakedown site in East Sussex
“We wanted to create a local brewery that brought people together beyond Lakedown, celebrated the British countryside, and made for easy drinking brews for people to enjoy time and again.”
Roger Daltrey added: “Lakedown, in East Sussex, has been a passion of mine since I designed it in the 1980s, as a rural sanctuary away from the mania of touring. Now my family — Jamie, Des and Chris — have launched Lakedown Brewing Co.
“They have turned me into a beer drinking convert because their beers are so easy drinking. And they have created a taproom for the beers on Lakedown itself, allowing anyone to book in and enjoy this wonderful place. There couldn’t be a more perfect spot to relax over a pint.”
The Lakedown range
- Pilsner (440ml, 5% ABV) The Lakedown Pilsner is full of the finest Saaz hops, German malts, and the very best Bavarian lager yeast. It is fermented slow and steady to give it a beautifully refreshing and perfectly crisp finish. Gluten free and vegan.
- English Pale (440ml, 4.2% ABV) The Lakedown English Pale is the brewery’s most sessionable beer yet, blending the best of British with American style. It’s a modern pale, loaded with English Cascade and Ernest, then dry hopped for an aromatic finish. Gluten free and vegan.
- Pale Ale (440ml, 4.2% ABV) The Lakedown American Pale Ale is packed full of the finest Cascade, Chinook, and Citra hops. It has been created to be a sessionable, easy drinking sip after sip of west coast sunshine. Gluten free and vegan.
- NEIPA (440ml, 5.3% ABV) The Lakedown New England IPA is crammed full of the finest Citra, Mosaic, and Centennial hops, with a wonderfully tropical aroma and punchy, fruity flavour. Vegan.
- Best Bitter (500ml, 4.4% ABV) An all-UK belter that’s brimming with biscuity malts. It’s a proper best, using UK Pioneer, Cascade, and Jester along with local malts and yeast. Seven of the best grains are blended to make the Best Bitter the best it can be. Store upright and pour gently. Gluten free and vegan.
- IPA (500ml, 5% ABV) The Lakedown IPA is a full-bodied transatlantic fusion that blends the traditions of English IPAs with New World American hops. Centennial and Mosaic join Jester, a new UK hop, giving this beer a rich, fruit aroma and satisfying bitterness. Vegan.
