Sussex Brewery Dark Star to leave the county...

 By Steve the Beermeister

Sad loss of Sussex brewery...

Since Fullers took over Sussex brewery Dark Star, we saw early problems when Fullers tried to brew Hophead at their West London Griffin Brewery to maximise production. Subsequently, brewing of Dark Star's full range of ales was returned to Partridge Green in West Sussex (website). Then Japanese giant Asahi took over Fullers (blog), and a little under 4 years later, the sad news is that the brewery at Partridge Green is to be closed down, maybe we should have seen that coming, it shouldn't be a revelation...

Because the brewery at Partridge Green is operating "significantly below capacity" it is to be closed down (not increase output there) and the brewing of Dark Star's range of beers is be moved to another Asahi acquisition Meantime Brewery in South East London. A spokesperson for Asahi suggests that the Dark Star beers will remain 'exactly as they are today' being brewed to the same recipe, but we all know what happens when beers are brewed away from their origins and water supply, 'tis not promising. A good short history of Dark Star Brewing and details of this sad news was written by Jessica Mason at the drinks business, worth reading.

Not great news, but it's what happens when accountants take charge... 😢