Due to the ever increasing requests for brewery tours, we regret that we can accept no more applications at present. We are committed to accommodating all outstanding requests, in strict rotation, at the earliest opportunity.
Tours are conducted by our brewers outside normal working hours and are between two to three hours duration. For reasons of safety and production pressures, tours are not possible during working hours.
Unlike many tours of commercial premises, our brewery tour is not simply a walk around with a guide; it is a chance for us to meet our customers and give an insight to the heritage of brewing at Harveys. The informal sampling session that follows is a catalyst for one to one questions and answers. We also gain a great insight from the experience and it is always a pleasure to entertain our customers in this manner.
Please bear with us during this period. Any requests received will be acknowledged.
Thank you for your patience and understanding. It is well worth the wait!
Harveys Brewery (Harvey & Son (Lewes) Ltd.) is a brewery in Lewes, the county town of East Sussex, England.
As of 2015, Harvey's estate includes 48 tied houses, mostly in Sussex. It sells and distributes its main product Sussex Best, a bitter, primarily to a greater number of other pubs, licensed sports and social clubs mostly in England.
It was under the management of John Harvey (1784–1862) that the Bridge Wharf Brewery was established on its present site by the River Ouse, overlooking long-standing crossing: Cliffe Bridge.
In 1880 part of the original Georgian brewery was rebuilt: the Tower and Brew House visible for example from Cliffe Bridge. This is an example of a country brewery with a façade in a rustic Neo-Gothic design of the Victorian era, a listed building at Grade II*.[1] Behind it stands another half: the Georgian fermenting room, cellars and Vat House. The fermenting room, Brew House and cellars have not changed in layout and dimensions, although reinforced and their contents have evolved. The Vat House was converted and expanded into the modern bottling process.
In 1984, a second brewing line was completed doubling production capacity from 25,000 to 50,000 barrels a year. The building for this plant has been added in front of the Tower in a similar Gothic style, such as an arched ironwork window.
Harveys is an independent family company: Harvey & Son (Lewes) Ltd. The seventh generation of John Harvey's descendants are among directors.