With 30 beers on tap and over 200 bottles behind the bar, a swift pint in the Brighton branch of The Craft Beer Co can easily turn into an entire night of beer appreciation. Like the original in
Clerkenwell, the emphasis is on beer made by small artisan producers; the line-up changes frequently, but expect to see stars of the craft-beer scene such as Thornbridge, Camden Town and local hero
Dark Star. Prices and alcohol levels on some of the more esoteric brews are steep, so savour gently – although the house pale ale from the Kent Brewery in West Malling is a snip at £2.95 a pint.
Staff know their stouts from their porters and are happy to offer tasters to the uninitiated, while cheese platters, pork pies and Scotch eggs keep drinkers on an even keel.