CAMRA Good Beer Guide 2026: Nine Brighton pubs included.

The guide is the “definitive guidebook” to pubs that serve superb cask beer throughout the UK, and it employs an independent, volunteer-led selection process, making it the authoritative and trusted voice of cask beer aficionados.

Here are the nine Brighton pubs that were listed in the guidebook:

Basketmakers Arms, 12 Gloucester Road According to the itinerary: “A much-loved Brighton institution, this busy two-room street-corner pub, popular with young and old alike, is located on the edge of Brighton’s famous bohemian North Laine.”

Brighton Bierhaus – 161 Edward Street

The book states: ‘Centrally positioned, this single bar tavern serves up to five different beers on handpump along with keg and bottled beers and a true cider’.

Brighton Bierhaus was included in the guide(Image: Nigel Chadwick)

Evening Star – 55–56 Surrey Street

The guide says: “Classic, friendly pub/alehouse, five minutes’ walk from the station, specialising in good real ale and craft beers.” “It has a warm, cosy interior and tables outside.”

Great Eastern, 103 Trafalgar Street According to the advertisement: “Small, traditional, cosy and atmospheric single-bar pub located at the northern edge of Brighton’s vibrant North Laine area.”

Haus on the Hill, 58 Southover Street According to the book, this pub was previously known as the Southover and is now operated by Brighton Bier. “Being at the top of a steep hill it is probably best approached by bus.”

Haus on the Hill – ‘best approached by bus’(Image: Hassocks)

Hole in the Wall – Queensbury Mews

According to the guide, this tiny two-bar historic pub, formerly known as the Queensbury Arms, is tucked away behind the Metropole hotel.

“Walls have posters from old Brighton seaside shows.” Lord Nelson Inn, 36 Trafalgar Street According to the book, “This comfortable, pleasantly decorated pub has three distinct drinking spaces, modelled after the historic multi-room layout.” “An extensive range of Harvey’s cask beers is always on offer, including seasonal brews.”

Post & Telegraph, 155-158 North Street The advertisement states: “JD Wetherspoon balcony pub in the centre of Brighton in what was once the offices of the Post and Telegraph newspapers.”

Prince Albert, 48 Trafalgar Street The guide describes it as a “vibrant multi-room pub near Brighton station.” “There is a public bar, small saloon bar, two other large rooms without bar counters and an upstairs music room.”

The Prince Albert on Trafalgar Street made the list(Image: Ethan Doyle White)

However, CAMRA warns that the current results reveal another reduction in brewery numbers across the UK, with almost all being smaller and independent businesses, which the organisation claims are critical to customer choice.

According to CAMRA Chairman Ash Corbett-Collins, each issue of the Good Beer Guide is a collectible snapshot of beer and pub culture from that year. “This year’s guide is a monument to publicans’ extraordinary endurance, as they continue to provide excellence and variety for customers despite sky-high tax costs and a lack of government action.

“The Chancellor needs to use the upcoming Budget to slash the tax burden on pubs, including VAT, duty and National Insurance contributions.”

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