Lakedown Brewing

Lakedown Brewing was born on a family farm in Burwash, East Sussex, during the gap between the 2020 lockdowns. Jamie Daltrey, his brother-in-law Chris Rule, and Des Murphy came up with the idea over a beer by the lakes. The farm itself has an unusual backstory: it was built in the 1970s by Jamie's father, Roger Daltrey of The Who, who created the Lakedown Trout Fishery as a retreat from touring. Jamie moved from television back to East Sussex in 2019 to take over the fishery, and the brewery followed.

The beers are brewed in Uckfield with Sussex spring water. The core range covers a broad sweep of styles: Pilsner, English Pale, Pale Ale, NEIPA, Best Bitter, IPA, Porter, and a Vermont Pale Ale. All are vegan, and most are gluten-free. The taproom at the farm has become a destination in its own right, with views across the lakes.

The alcohol-free range operates under the Sound AF label. Current offerings include a Best Bitter, a Juicy (presumably a hazy pale), and a Pilsner, sold in cans and available direct from the brewery online. Sound AF sits alongside the full-strength range rather than being treated as an afterthought, which is increasingly the expectation for craft breweries worth their salt.

Lakedown is a small, independent operation with a distinctive sense of place. Distribution is primarily direct and online, with the taproom as the natural spiritual home.

The Collection

Sound AF Juicy Pale Ale