Firebird Heritage Sussex Best - Bitter

Tasting Summary

These comments are the opinion of the individual reviewer and represent what they thought of the beer on a particular day in a particular pub. If a review is less favourable, it may be because the beer suffered somewhere in the supply chain between them and the brewery.

Halfway House, Brenchley, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Hogan Sampling		23 May 2026	3rd beer of this visit: Came with very good head and lasting lacing on this amber best bitter from a renovated, formerly redundant brickworks in Rudgwick, West Sussex, and established in 2013. A dry bitter first hit on this orangey-amber gold-coloured best better developed from an old family recipe belonging to co-founder, Bill’s great-great-grandfather, and considered to be a traditional Sussex classic. A hoppy fruitiness rising with hints of grass and hedgerow berry fruits from its Goldings, Progress and Fuggles hops. A gentle floral hoppiness winning over with a slightly bready, citric flavouring. A biscuity maltiness joining in with hints of toffee derived from its Pale Ale Malt and Crystal Malt. A moreish hoppiness paddling out with a sweet aftertaste of dried fruits. Served in good condition.

The Red Deer, Horsham, West Sussex

Kings Arms, Horsham, West Sussex

Who	Score	When	Notes
Hogan Sampling		31 Jan 2026	Very good head and lacing presented and sticking rigidly to the glass all the way down on this local bitter located in a renovated brickworks in the village of Rudgwick, West Sussex, and approximately 6 miles west of Horsham. A very dry bitter first hit from this amber-coloured beer. A malty sweetness rising. A hoppiness winning over aided by its mix of Goldings, Progress and Fuggles. A dry malty bitterness sailing out with hints of caramel malt and a subtle sprinkling of dried fruits. Said to be developed from an old family recipe. Firebird Brewing was officially established in 2013 and set up by two "Master Brewers" who re-established a friendship from their time at the University of Birmingham's Brewing School in the 1980s. For me, a very moreish pint and could easily have done another half at a modest £2.70, compared to the Green Dragon's £3.50 a half, but it was time for some food, dare I mention it, to soak up a beer or two. I find myself in a wet-only pub and so a trot to another is in order!

Lord Harrowby, Grantham, Lincolnshire

Who	Score	When	Notes
Magnus Greel		09 Aug 2025	Creamy cooking bitter spoilt by an acetic aftertaste. Possibly on its way out?

Firebird Brewing Company, Rudgwick, West Sussex

18th Redhill Beer Festival 2024, Merstham, Surrey

Who	Score	When	Notes
Hogan Sampling		31 Oct 2024	5th one: good head and lacing. A sour, fruity mouthfeel with a lingering maltiness.