Real ale pubs are ‘lockdown heroes’

Three pubs have been praised for ‘going the extra mile’ to provide real ale to Brighton and Hove residents.

The Brighton & South Downs branch of Campaign fro Real Ale (CAMRA) has nominated a selection of breweries and pubs which are their ‘lockdown heroes’.

The pubs include The Independent, on Queens Park Road, Brighton, The Hand in Hand in Upper St James’s Street, Kemptown, and The Foghorn, Boundary Road, Hove.

Jason Phillips, chairman of Brighton & South Downs CAMRA, said: “I am delighted to be able to present these breweries and pubs across our branch with this award.

“We recognise that it has been a very challenging time for all breweries and pubs during lockdown, and of course, many have gone to great lengths to keep going.

“These awards have been made in response to our members nominating those businesses who they feel have gone the extra mile to provide Real Ale to the people of Sussex.

“We congratulate them all.”

Jennifer Left, the landlady of the Hand in Hand, told the Indy how they’d managed to keep in touch with their locals.

She said: “We built a replica pub in lockdown 2, and seeing as folks couldn’t come to the pub, I’ve been cycling across the south coast from Southwick to Whitehawk delivering our beers by Hand Brew Co.

“I play tunes, bake chocolate stout cupcakes and deliver beer/ wine/ local lemonade to your door.

“We’ve been on ITV national news, news stations in Czech Republic and NPR in America, CNN and a Canadian radio station.

“Not bad going for a tiny little pub that only fits 50 people in at a massive push, let alone one that’s shut in a pandemic.

“It’s a very special place, so I had to shrink it down in order to keep her in touch with her loyal locals.

“We are open Monday (April 12) for takeaways and I am renting my neighbours car park directly opposite for seating.”

The pub has also set up a booking app on its website www.handbrewpub.com

Camra has compiled a list of pubs which they are expecting to reopen from April 12 - click here