The Pub
The theme pub where great
beer is the theme
Since becoming a freehouse back in 1992, The Evening Star and the team behind it, have created one of the finest tributes to all that is great about real ale.
Now firmly into the 21st century and part of the small but expanding Dark Star Brewery estate of pubs, the Evening Star still has its scrubbed wooden floor and rustic heavy wooden furniture. The old steam train image has been 'shunted' to the sidings to make way for a more contemporary feel .
So what’s in a name?
Built in the 19th century, the pub has always been called The Evening Star. At some point in the 1970's it was suggested (wrongly) that the name could have a connection with the last steam locomotive to be built in England and since then, many generous customers and visitors donated many pictures, postcards and even a coal carving of the engine to the pub.
Don’t just take our word for it…
The Evening Star and the quality of beer served at the pub have received wide recognition. Most recently, the pub was awarded with the CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) Sussex and Surrey Regional Pub of the Year 2005.
From simple beginnings…
With the current owners having taken on the pub in 1992, it was soon obvious that this was not going to be any ordinary venture. It was in 1994 that this became most apparent when half of the cellar was converted into a microbrewery. With three fermentation vessels each producing a mere 63 gallons of beer, output was small, but the quality was exceptional!
It was in the cellar that the now multi-award winning Dark Star Brewery was started. Dark Star has gone on to be named the Best Brewery in England and 84th best in the World, by US based website, ratebeer.com
To modern day…
To cater for an ever-expanding market, 2001 saw a new brewery open in Ansty. See the brewery site for more information
A bit about the beers…
The pub boasts a large rotating selection of house beers. Always available on draught is the very hoppy Hophead bitter as well as an ever changing selection of Dark Star beers and guest ales. In addition to its cask ales the Evening Star has a nitro version of the popular black beer, Espresso, and an organic lager permanently on the bar.
At 4.2% the amazing Espresso coffee beer was voted winner of the ‘best beer’ at last year’s Bath Beer Festival and the Evening Star’s regulars are currently enjoying it. It is brewed using espresso coffee beans, blended especially for Dark Star, which are freshly ground before adding to the copper along with the late hops.
For more information on which beers are available this week,
see the beers page.
We look forward to welcoming you soon
Cheers,
Matt & Karen - The Management Team.
