Long Man Brewery

Long Man Brewery was founded at Church Farm in Litlington, East Sussex, following a conversation between farmer Duncan Ellis and drinks wholesaler Stephen Lees at a village celebration in April 2011. Duncan was looking for a sustainable way to diversify the family farm, while Stephen brought extensive knowledge of the South East beer market. Together, they recognised the potential of combining barley grown on the farm with an independent brewery focused on quality and local distribution.

The brewery was established inside a converted flint barn in the South Downs National Park. Its first beer, Long Blonde, flowed from the fermenting vessels in March 2012, followed shortly afterwards by Sussex Best Bitter. The initial batches were supplied to nearby pubs, and strong repeat orders helped establish Long Man as a respected producer of balanced and approachable cask and keg beer.

Farming and brewing remain closely connected at Long Man. Around 500 acres of spring malting barley are grown on the land surrounding the brewery using regenerative, no-till methods. Diverse cover crops support soil health, encourage biodiversity and help retain carbon, while reducing reliance on fertilisers. The barley is then used to create beers only a short distance from where it was grown.

Environmental sustainability shapes every stage of production. Water is drawn from the chalk aquifer beneath the South Downs, filtered and prepared specifically for brewing. Waste water is treated and reused to irrigate the farm, while more than 150 tonnes of spent grain each year is fed to livestock or composted. A bank of solar panels also helps provide electricity for the brewhouse.

Long Man uses whole-leaf hops sourced from Sussex, Kent and other growing regions, supporting British hop farmers wherever possible. Its house yeast is harvested and reused between batches, helping maintain a consistent character across the brewery's beers while reducing waste.

From its historic barn in Litlington, Long Man Brewery has built a reputation for award-winning beers rooted in the landscape around it. Its approach brings together farming, brewing and environmental responsibility, with the aim of producing high-quality beer while protecting the land and community that support the brewery.