PubsAndBeer.co.uk - Kings Arms, Horsham, West Sussex

PubsandBeer

Kings Arms (North and South Leisure Ltd)

Beer (sort)	Average Score (sort)	No. Samples (sort)
Firebird - Heritage Sussex Best - Bitter		1
Firebird - Two Horses	Not Tried	0
Gun - Scaramanga Extra Pale Ale	Not Tried	0
Langham - Arapaho	Not Tried	0
Surrey Hills - Shere Drop	Not Tried	0

Visits Details

31 Jan 2026 (Hogan Sampling)

11th stop of this Horsham outing: Very busy footfall here in this entirely wet-led pub just outside the main town centre on arrival early evening. A real ale drinker's paradise with five cask ales on and with three from two separate West Sussex breweries no less, Langham Brewery from Lodsworth, near Petworth, some 21 miles south-west Horsham, and Firebird Brewing Co, located in a renovated brickworks in Rudgwick, West Sussex, and approximately 6 miles west of Horsham. Prompt, friendly service and seating to be had. You are met as you come in by an upright piano reminding you of a somewhat bygone age! Here I met up with my fellow real ale followers, all two of them who I had earlier left in the Foresters Arms on the outskirts of Horsham following a trek from the Horsham Tap. They had managed to fit in one I missed out, Ye Old Stout House at 29 Carfax in the centre of town, offering Badger beers.

Beer	ABV	Score	Notes
Firebird - Heritage Sussex Best - Bitter	4.00		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!
Surrey Hills - Shere Drop	4.20	Not Tried
Langham - Arapaho	4.90	Not Tried
Gun - Scaramanga Extra Pale Ale	3.90	Not Tried	Not as local as the three West Sussex brews on as Gun Brewery is 38 to 41 miles away on Hawthbush Farm at Gun Hill, near Heathfield in East Sussex. Set up in 2013, it was selling their first pint in January 2015.
Firebird - Two Horses	3.80	Not Tried

About the Kings Arms

Summary of Beer Scores

	Total
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	1
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Website.

The pub is found in Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 1QN.

Dating from the 18th century, this former coaching inn in Horsham's town centre was the King & Barnes brewery tap and is situated at 64 Bishopric, 100 yards from the site of the former brewery. This two-bar pub boasts having five handpumps serving mostly local ales such as Firebird, located in a renovated brickworks in the village of Rudgwick, West Sussex, and approximately 6 miles west of Horsham, in addition to two keg lines. Live weekly music nights and quiz nights on offer. Now a free house operated by North and South Leisure Ltd, a small independent pub company that owns and operates several hospitality venues across the South East of England, including Kent, Sussex, Surrey and South London. Board games can be found in the Snug behind the bar. No food served from May 2025 and confirmed on a visit at the end of January 2026 when also in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide and with five real ales on.

We have visited this pub once, seen 5 different beers and tried 1 of them.

Map location

Postcode: RH12 1QN