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The Dolphin (Free House)

Beer (sort)Average Score (sort)No. Samples (sort)
Harvey's - Old Ale (or Sussex XXXX Old Ale)Exceptional2
Kite (see and use entry now for Glamorgan) - Old RegExcellent1
Harvey's - Sussex Best BitterExcellent2
Dark Star - American Pale Ale (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)Excellent1
Wadworth - SwordfishExcellent1
Nethergate (was Nethergate Growler for a while then name reverted) - Lemon HeadGood1
Franklins - Franklins ExplorerGood1
Littlehampton (formerly called Anchor Springs) - HornblowerGood1
Goddards - Go 4 ItAcceptable1
Sunny Republic - DolphinAcceptable1
Eagle (formerly Wells & Young's, formerly Charles Wells, formerly Wells) - Courage Directors (use Banks's entry now please)Not Tried0
Dark Star - Hophead (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)Not Tried0
Harvey's - Sussex Pale AleNot Tried0
Stonehenge - Heel StoneNot Tried0
Eagle (formerly Wells & Young's, formerly Charles Wells, formerly Wells) - Young's London Special (was Special)Not Tried0
Castle Rock - Elsie MoNot Tried0
Isfield - Toad in the AleNot Tried0
Wantsum - Black PigNot Tried0
Dark Star - Session IPANot Tried0
Picture 1. The Dolphin, Hastings, East Sussex
Picture 2. The Dolphin, Hastings, East Sussex

Visits Details

12 Mar 2018 (ChrisE)
Early evening visit and a good atmosphere. I have not listed all the beers available.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00GoodVery good but too cold for our liking.
18 Nov 2017 (Andrew)
Pub number one. Found just off the sea front. 11:30am and fairly busy. Great pub.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Harvey's - Old Ale (or Sussex XXXX Old Ale)4.30ExceptionalPerfect sweet
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Not Tried
Dark Star - Hophead (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)3.80Not Tried
Eagle (formerly Wells & Young's, formerly Charles Wells, formerly Wells) - Young's London Special (was Special)4.50Not Tried
Wantsum - Black Pig4.80Not Tried
Dark Star - Session IPA4.20Not Tried
19 Dec 2015 (Stephen Harris)
Saturday lunchtime and it is warm enough for people to be sitting outside. Indeed there are people walking by wearing shorts.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Franklins - Franklins Explorer6.00GoodA decent, brown, malty, Premium Bitter.
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Not Tried
Dark Star - Hophead (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)3.80Not Tried
Eagle (formerly Wells & Young's, formerly Charles Wells, formerly Wells) - Young's London Special (was Special)4.50Not Tried
06 Sep 2013 (Alenomore)
13:30 visit. Not been down this way for a year or two so we drove the old girl (TR7) down for a run. The weather was decidedly "dodgy" so the roof stayed up today? And not a lot of changes down here either. A very nice and worthy gbg and currently the local CAMRA branch's' poty too.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00ExcellentMy chauffeur rated this highly.
Castle Rock - Elsie Mo4.70Not Tried
Dark Star - American Pale Ale (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)4.70Not Tried
Dark Star - Hophead (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)3.80Not Tried
Eagle (formerly Wells & Young's, formerly Charles Wells, formerly Wells) - Young's London Special (was Special)4.50Not Tried
Isfield - Toad in the Ale4.80Not Tried
02 Sep 2012 (Stephen Harris)
My first time in here since a teenager, when it was very much the domain of the local fishermen and you pretty much only entered by invitation. It now attracts a considerably wider clientele and housed a good crowd late on Sunday afternoon.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Nethergate (was Nethergate Growler for a while then name reverted) - Lemon Head4.00GoodServed highly chilled, which I normally don’t care for in a beer but which worked well with the lemony and spicy flavours of this one.
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Not Tried
Dark Star - American Pale Ale (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)4.70Not Tried
Dark Star - Hophead (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)3.80Not Tried
Stonehenge - Heel Stone4.30Not Tried
Eagle (formerly Wells & Young's, formerly Charles Wells, formerly Wells) - Young's London Special (was Special)4.50Not Tried
02 Aug 2012 (Martin the Mildman)
More restrained than my previous visit, with just a few locals in mid afternoon on a Thursday.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Sunny Republic - Dolphin4.20AcceptableThought it was a house beer at first, but is a regular brew from this new Dorset brewery. Full name is Dolphin Amber Ale, but perhaps ruby would be a better description. Unfortunately the red colour is achieved by over use of crystal malt giving a cloying caramel flavour that overpowers any hoppiness. My score 14/20.
22 Jul 2012 (Martin the Mildman)
Pirates day in Hastings and this pub was buzzing with visiting "Pirates" and local fishermen.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Littlehampton (formerly called Anchor Springs) - Hornblower4.50GoodA sweet and malty red ale with toffee malt and a little hop character. Sweetish, fruity finish. My score 15/20.
Goddards - Go 4 It4.60AcceptableStrong golden bitter with a bitter character, moderate hopping and some malt. Dryish finish. My score 14/20.
22 Jun 2012 (ChrisE)
We had just had rides on the East and West lifts, and the seaside miniature railway, and were ready for a drink. This pub was opposite the terminus of the railway and in the Good Beer Guide so we entered. I had never been in here before and was pleasantly surprised, a good well run pub worthy of a return visit. I did not make a note of all the beers on offer.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Dark Star - American Pale Ale (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)4.70Excellent
Harvey's - Sussex Pale Ale3.50Not Tried
19 Nov 2011 (Pedro)
Afternoon
BeerABVScoreNotes
Harvey's - Old Ale (or Sussex XXXX Old Ale)4.30Excellent
Wadworth - Swordfish5.00Excellent
Kite (see and use entry now for Glamorgan) - Old Reg4.70Excellent
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Not Tried
Eagle (formerly Wells & Young's, formerly Charles Wells, formerly Wells) - Courage Directors (use Banks's entry now please)4.80Not Tried
Dark Star - Hophead (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)3.80Not Tried

About The Dolphin

The pub sign. The Dolphin, Hastings, East Sussex

Summary of Beer Scores

 Total
Exceptional1
Excellent5
Good4
Acceptable2
Poor-

Website.

The pub is found in Hastings, East Sussex, TN34 3DW.

Located in the Old Town in Rock-A-Nore Road the pub is decorated with fishing memorabilia. Local CAMRA branch Pub of the Year 2013. An outside seating area overlooks the historic fishermans' huts on the Stade. 6 handpumps.

We have visited this pub 9 times, seen 19 different beers and tried 10 of them.

Map location

Postcode: TN34 3DW