Adur Brewery

Adur Brewery was founded in 2008 in the heart of the South Downs near Steyning, bringing commercial brewing back to the Adur Valley after an absence of nearly 100 years. Established with a 5.5-barrel brewing plant, the brewery set out to produce traditional English ales using established brewing methods. Its rural location at Charlton Court provided a fitting home for a business dedicated to preserving the area's brewing heritage.

When the brewery's future became uncertain in 2011, a group of local beer enthusiasts came together to protect it. They established the Adur Valley Co-operative, which acquired the brewery, its name and recipes in 2012. Run democratically by its members and managed by an elected committee, the co-operative brought a distinctive community-led approach to brewing, with members contributing their time, skills and ideas to keep the brewery operating.

Adur specialises in traditional real ales, with much of its production bottled rather than sold in casks. Its bottle-conditioned beers undergo natural secondary fermentation, producing gentle carbonation without artificial processing. The brewery's 5.5-barrel plant uses traditional mashing, boiling and fermentation techniques, while co-operative members help with bottling, casking and packaging. Selected beers are also available in five-litre mini kegs, with distribution across Sussex and beyond.

Community involvement remains central to Adur Brewery's identity. Inspired by CAMRA's LocAle principles, the co-operative encourages members, including experienced home brewers, to contribute recipes that can be developed into new beers. Its commitment to traditional brewing, naturally conditioned ales and local participation has helped preserve an independent brewing tradition in the Adur Valley, demonstrating how a shared enthusiasm for good beer can sustain a brewery for future generations.