Evening Star (pub)

The Evening Star is a real ale pub in Surrey Street, Brighton, in the county of East Sussex, England.

It became a free house in 1992, and is currently owned by the Dark Star Brewery

Name and History

Built in the 19th century, the pub has always been called The Evening Star. At some point in the 1970's it was suggested (wrongly) that the name could have a connection with the last steam locomotive to be built in England and since then, many generous customers and visitors donated many pictures, postcards and even a coal carving of the engine to the pub. Part of the bar is actually made from genuine railway sleepers.

The pub was once home to famous siamese twins, Daisy and Violet HILTON.

Brewery

It was in 1994 that half of the cellar was converted into a microbrewery. With three fermentation vessels each producing a mere 63 gallons of beer, output was small, but the quality was exceptional!

It was in the cellar that the now multi-award winning Dark Star Brewery was started. Dark Star has gone on to be named the Best Brewery in England and 84th best in the World, by US based website, ratebeer.com

2001 saw the Dark Star brewery move out of the cellar to larger premises in Ansty, West Sussex.

Pub Sign

The sign for the evening star dates back to over 100 years ago, and depicts an eight pointed star, upon which rests a tawny owl, waking for a night of hunting.

Beers

The Evening Star has a very wide selection of beers, with seven hand-pumps for real ale. Usually, at least three of the ales are from the Dark Star brewery, with up to four guest beers. It also has six keg pumps, dispensing Dark Star's organic lager, NATURAL Blonde, as well as their keg stout, Oatmeal Stout. The other keg pumps provide a rotating selection of draught Belgian, German and American beers. Two cider pumps provide a range of ciders and perries. They also have a fridge containing a range of Belgian, German and American bottled beers.

Awards

  • 2004: The Evening Star was the Brighton and South Downs Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) pub of the year.
  • 2005: The Evening Star was the Sussex & Surrey Regional pub of the year, and the Brighton and South Downs CAMRA pub of the year.
  • 2006: The Evening Star regained the Sussex & Surrey Regional pub of the year award, along with the Brighton and South Downs CAMRA pub of the year once again.