Harveys Brewery Shop
6 Cliffe High Street Lewes East Sussex BN7 2AH
From the bridge over the River Ouse in the centre of Lewes you look onto the handsome Victorian brewery bearing Harveys name in gold letters – known in hallowed tones to locals as Lewes Cathedral, it sends out a delicious smack of malty steam several times a week. The brewery shop, virtually adjacent and in Lewes’ main street, sells 23 varieties of bottled ale – among them Porter brewed to an 1859 recipe and an 8% Christmas Ale that’s like a barley wine. Thomas Paine ale, incidentally, is named after the local lad who played vital roles in the French and American revolutions and even coined the term ‘United States of America’. You can also fill up canisters with real ale in the form of Harveys Best Bitter and a seasonal ale, such as the sweet, dark Old. The shop’s array of other booze includes fruit wines, ciders and very well chosen wines (some well over £100 a bottle), and souvenir items feature the Harveys Brewery logo.
