Lewes Half Day Beer Tour: Harvey's & Craft Breweries

Four stops across Lewes' beer scene, from Sussex's oldest brewery to its newest craft destinations

A half-day guided beer tour of Lewes takes you through four breweries and beer bars, starting at Harvey's Brewery, Sussex's oldest continuously running operation, then moving through the John Harvey tap, Beak craft beer bar, and finishing at Abyss Brewing in the town center. A live English-speaking guide leads the route and answers questions about beer and brewing throughout. Minimum age is 18.

Step-by-step itinerary

Lewes half day beer tour

• Stroll into Harvey's Brewery forecourt
• Learn brewery history and traditional methods
• Visit John Harvey brewery tap
• Enjoy cask ales at John Harvey
• Walk 15 minutes to Beak craft beer spot
• Sample US-style beers and seasonal specials
• Walk 15 minutes to Abyss Brewing
• Try beers, cocktails, wines, and Mexican food

The experience

Harvey's Brewery is where the tour begins, in the forecourt of Sussex's oldest continuously running brewery. The guide walks you through the history and explains the traditional way the brewery still operates. From there it's a short walk to the John Harvey, the unofficial brewery tap, where you taste a couple of cask ales from Harvey's own range.

A 15-minute stroll takes you to Beak, Lewes' most well-known craft beer destination, passing local history along the way. Expect heavily hopped US-style beers, seasonal specials including mixed fermentation and cask ales, and food. The final stop is Abyss Brewing, about 15 minutes on foot from Beak, in the town center. It's the most popular beer destination in town, serving their own beers, guest beers, cocktails and wines, with an on-site Mexican food truck. This is where the tour ends and you can linger.

The guide is what sets this apart. Someone who can answer pretty much any question you have about beer and brewing, and who knows the town. The combination of heritage beer and contemporary styles, all within walking distance, means you see how Lewes' beer culture has evolved while staying rooted in one of England's longest-running breweries.

What’s included

• Beer tastings at four stops.
• a live guide in English who explains the history and brewing methods.
• the route through Lewes' brewery and beer bar scene.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 20 Feb 2027

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (18 to 80 years) · Under 18: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelers

Operated by That's The Beer Talking / Beer Tours of Lewes

Is this one for you?The tour starts in central Lewes and moves on foot through the town, so you don't need a car or local knowledge to find your way. The guide handles the route and the stops.

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Top questions

What exactly is Harvey's Brewery and why does the tour start there?

Harvey's Brewery is Sussex's oldest continuously running brewery, and the tour begins in its forecourt so the guide can walk you through its history and explain how it still operates using traditional methods.

How much walking is involved in this tour?

The tour includes a 15-minute stroll from the John Harvey to Beak, and another 15-minute walk from Beak to Abyss Brewing in the town center, plus the initial visit to Harvey's forecourt. The walking is steady but not strenuous.

What kind of beer will I taste?

You'll taste cask ales from Harvey's at the John Harvey tap, then move to Beak for heavily hopped US-style beers and seasonal specials including mixed fermentation and cask ales, and finish at Abyss Brewing where the range includes their own beers, guest beers, and cocktails.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the tour is wheelchair accessible, and public transportation options are available nearby if you need them.

What's included in the price?

The beer tastings are included. Food is available at Beak and Abyss Brewing but is not part of the tour price.