Autumn at the Taproom: Cozy Craft Beer Styles to Try in Brighton as Summer Ends

There’s a particular kind of magic in Brighton when summer begins to soften around the edges.

The evenings draw in. The air feels cooler on Ditchling Road. Sunshine gives way to amber streetlights, warm conversation and the comforting promise of a good drink waiting at the bar.

Autumn is the perfect time to rediscover craft beer in Brighton. Not because bright, refreshing pints suddenly disappear, but because the changing season invites us to explore something with a little more depth. Toasty malt. Gentle roast. Spiced yeast. Orchard fruit. A fuller, softer finish that feels made for settling in.

At Lost and Found, we’re a craft beer taproom, not a brewery. You’ll find us at 298 Ditchling Road, Fiveways, pouring a rotating selection of independent beer and cider made by Sussex producers. Every keg has a story, every tap is chosen with care, and there’s always something new to discover.

What makes a beer feel autumnal?

Autumn drinking isn’t only about choosing the darkest beer available. It’s about balance, texture and flavour.

Some people want a beer with a little more malt character as the weather cools. Others prefer to keep the citrus and hops going for as long as possible. The joy of visiting a taproom Brighton locals can call their own is that you don’t have to choose just one direction.

Try a half pint. Ask questions. Compare styles. Let the season guide you, rather than dictate you.

Here are a few beer styles and local producers to look out for as summer ends.

1. Amber, red and ruby ales

For many beer lovers, amber and ruby ales are the gateway to autumn.

They tend to bring biscuit, caramel and lightly toasted malt flavours, often with a gentle fruitiness and a satisfying copper-red colour. They’re richer than a summer pale but usually lighter and more approachable than a powerful stout.

If you’re new to craft beer, this is a brilliant place to start. The flavours are expressive without being overwhelming, and the finish often has just enough bitterness to keep the glass interesting.

Keep an eye out for autumnal releases from Sussex independents such as Loud Shirt or Three Acre. If the tap board mentions red, amber, ruby, brown or toasted malt, you may have found the beer your evening was waiting for.

2. Vienna-style and amber lagers

Lager doesn’t have to mean light, pale and purely refreshing.

A Vienna-style lager or amber lager can offer a gentle toasted sweetness, a copper hue and a smooth, clean finish. It has the easy-drinking character many people love in lager, but with a little more warmth and flavour for cooler evenings.

This is an excellent transitional style: familiar enough for lager drinkers, but interesting enough for anyone exploring Brighton craft beer for the first time.

Sussex producers take different approaches to lager, so it’s always worth asking what’s fresh. A well-made local lager paired with good conversation can be every bit as rewarding as a more adventurous pour.

3. Fuller pale ales and expressive IPAs

Not ready to move towards darker beers? We understand completely.

A fuller pale ale or balanced IPA can carry the bright, hop-led character of summer while offering a little more body and intensity. Look for flavours of ripe peach, orange peel, pine, stone fruit or soft tropical sweetness.

At the time of writing, our rotating board includes beers such as Loud Shirt Helles Hath No Fury Lager, UnBarred Casual Pale, Three Acre Extra Pale, Burning Sky Easy Answers, Abyss Superfuzz, UnBarred Joosy and Burning Sky Quench, alongside Sussex cider. The list changes regularly, so the best beer for your visit may be one we haven’t even poured yet.

That’s part of the fun.

You might begin with something crisp, follow it with something hazy, then discover that the beer you remember most is the one you only tried in a small glass.

Check our live tap list before you visit, or ask the team at the bar for a recommendation.

4. Porters and stouts

When the temperature drops, roasted malt starts to sound like a very good idea.

Porters and stouts can bring notes of coffee, dark chocolate, toasted bread, liquorice and burnt sugar. Some are dry and roasty; others are silky, rich and dessert-like. The variety is enormous, which is precisely why they’re so rewarding to explore.

We’re always excited when an independent Sussex producer releases a darker beer for the season. Look out for dark specials from producers such as UnBarred or Abyss, especially if you enjoy beers with depth and a lingering finish.

A half pint of stout can be the perfect autumn nightcap. Or it can be the first step into a whole new world of craft beer.

Not sure where to begin? Tell us what you usually drink. We can point you towards something dark without sending you straight into the deep end.

5. Saisons and farmhouse-inspired ales

Autumn flavours don’t always have to be heavy.

Saisons and farmhouse-inspired ales can be wonderfully complex, bringing gentle spice, peppery yeast character, dry finishes and subtle notes of fruit. They’re refreshing, but never simple. They can feel rustic, bright and layered all at once.

Burning Sky is one of the Sussex producers to look out for if you enjoy Belgian-inspired and mixed-fermentation styles. These beers are particularly good with food, thanks to their dryness and lively character.

A saison alongside a rich burger, loaded fries or smoky street food? Yes, please.

The contrast works beautifully: crisp, spicy beer cutting through rich flavours, leaving your palate ready for the next bite.

6. Sussex cider for orchard-season drinking

Autumn belongs to the orchard as much as it belongs to the hop garden.

Our rotating selection includes cider from Nightingale Cider, an independent Sussex maker based in Rye. If you usually reach for beer, cider is a brilliant way to broaden your tasting adventure.

Look for dry, medium-dry or fruit-led pours with a little tannin and a clean apple finish. Nightingale’s ciders can bring an entirely different kind of local character to the bar: bright orchard fruit, gentle acidity and a refreshing sense of place.

Like the beer, the cider rotates. Check the tap list to see what’s pouring now.

Pair your autumn pour with something good to eat

A cosy drink is even better with food on the table.

We don’t have an on-site kitchen or ovens. Instead, we work with external food partners and welcome independent street food vans outside at weekends. Depending on the day, you might find smoky BBQ, dumplings, bao, loaded fries, burgers or another delicious reason to stay for one more round.

A malt-forward beer loves salty, savoury food. A crisp lager can refresh between bites. A juicy pale can lift spicy flavours, while a dry saison or cider can bring balance to something rich.

Check What’s On before you visit to find out which food partner is joining us.

A local taproom for the changing season

There are plenty of taprooms in Brighton, but Lost and Found is deliberately rooted in its neighbourhood.

We’re an independent Brighton venue in Fiveways, built around Sussex beer, friendly service and the simple pleasure of sharing a table. Our fridges are stocked with independent Sussex beers to take away, so a good discovery doesn’t have to end when you leave.

Everyone is welcome: experienced beer enthusiasts, curious first-timers, local neighbours, families, dogs and anyone who simply wants a warm place to meet.

That’s what we love about a taproom. You can come in knowing exactly what you want, or you can arrive with no plan at all. Either way, there’s room to explore.

Find your autumn favourite

So, what will you try first?

A toasted lager? A Sussex amber ale? A hazy pale with a little extra body? A roasted stout, a spicy saison or a dry local cider?

There’s no wrong answer. Start with a style you know, then take a small step beyond it. Ask us what’s new. Share a tasting flight with friends. Let one sip lead to another.

Lost and Found is your local Fiveways pub Brighton beer lovers have been waiting for: a welcoming taproom where independent Sussex producers take centre stage and every visit offers the possibility of something new.

We’re open seven days a week at 298 Ditchling Road, Brighton BN1 6JG. No table booking needed : just come on in.

Planning a celebration? Our venue is also available as a Brighton party venue for private hire, with space for up to 80 guests inside and more when the outside space is included. Find out more about venue hire, or get in touch to start planning.

Autumn is on its way.

Come and taste it.