On Saturday 8 branch members set off for the annual trip to visit the 5 pubs of the year, as voted for by the other Sussex branches. The first 3 on the minibus had contrived a breakfast bacon roll plus a quick pint at the Tower in St. Leonards, before the trip started. Several other members were collected on the way through Bexhill and Eastbourne, finally arriving at the first pub, the Kings Head in East Hoathly, the PoTY of our sub-branch North East Sussex. Such was the efficiency of our driver, Bob, that we arrived before the pub opened and we had to endure a ten minute wait before the serious business of the day could start. We were welcomed by the landlord, who explained the various beers on offer. Unfortunately, beers were being changed on 2 of the pumps, so the choice was somewhat restricted. After being joined by another of our members and sampling various beers, we departed for Lewes, to pick up yet another member, from our sub-branch.

Our next stop was the White Horse at Maplehurst, a pub that we have visited at least twice in recent years, being testament to its high regard in the North Sussex Branch. We received a warm welcome and made our preferred selections from the many and varied beers available. We also had lunch there, so staying somewhat longer and providing the opportunity to indulge in more than the mandatory single beer. All the beers tried were in very good condition and everyone was very happy with their food. Unfortunately, it was rather too cold to dine outside but we were comfortably accommodated in the pubs’ conservatory. Judging by the amount of other customers both eating and drinking, this pub remains very popular.

The next pub visited was the Hornet in Chichester. This micro pub is the first in the city and despite being open for only 18 months or so has clearly gained a very good reputation, very quickly, from the West Sussex branch. Unusually, it benefits from an additional upstairs room, meaning that there is more customer space, away from the cosy bar. An interesting incentive advertised in the bar is the 100 club. A free T-shirt is provided to anyone sampling that many beers there. Unfortunately, our stay time precluded completion of this task but it’s a good reason to return. There was an interesting variety of beers on offer, all of which were very good and reasonably priced.

Moving East, our next visit was another micro pub, the Green Man Ale and Cider House in Tarring. This is the second consecutive year that the Arun and Adur branch have chosen this as their PoTY. We were welcomed by the owner and made our selections from the various beers on offer. Judging by the amount of customers there, this pub remains very popular and clearly many of the customers know each other but there was no indication of cliquiness.

The final pub visited was Brighton Bierhaus, PoTY of Brighton and Southdowns branch. Being mid to late afternoon on a Saturday, it was understandably quite busy yet we were served quickly and the prices were reasonable. There was a decent choice of both cask and keg beer but we stuck to the cask, all of which was in good form. Our presence probably doubled the average customer age but it was good to see the popularity of beer amongst all ages.

By now it was time to head home. It had been a long but very worthwhile day, visiting pubs that otherwise we probably wouldn’t see very often. Our grateful thanks to Bob, our driver, for his excellent navigation and time keeping, which maximised our drinking time and enjoyment. Also to Bill for organising the transport and to Howard and Peter for the photos.