Darwin Brewery
Microbrewery
in
Sunderland,
Tyne & Wear,
England 🏴
Owned by
Three Kings Brewery
Established in 1997
Contact
Unit 1, West Quay Court, Sunderland Enterprise Park, Sunderland, SR5 2TE, England
Description
Established in 1997 Darwin Brewery has grown steadily to become one of the most respected micro-breweries in the north of England.
Darwin’s first beers were produced on a very small 18 gallon system based at Brewlab at the University of Sunderland. Three years later the brewery expanded to Crook, County Durham with the acquisition of the Hodge’s Brewery and brewed there until 2002 when two factors resulted in a move back to Sunderland.
Firstly continued growth and popularity of the beers meant space was a problem at the Crook plant with production stretched almost to capacity. Secondly, and perhaps even more important was that the recent closure of the Vaux brewery had left the city without a brewery for the first time in over one hundred years.
In Autumn 2022 the brewery was taken over by Three Kings Brewery Ltd and all production moved there. Darwin and Three Kings operate independently, producing separate ranges of beers and Gav Sutherland remains Head Brewer of Darwin. Darwin’s core beers and seasonal offerings are available around the North East.
Darwin’s first beers were produced on a very small 18 gallon system based at Brewlab at the University of Sunderland. Three years later the brewery expanded to Crook, County Durham with the acquisition of the Hodge’s Brewery and brewed there until 2002 when two factors resulted in a move back to Sunderland.
Firstly continued growth and popularity of the beers meant space was a problem at the Crook plant with production stretched almost to capacity. Secondly, and perhaps even more important was that the recent closure of the Vaux brewery had left the city without a brewery for the first time in over one hundred years.
In Autumn 2022 the brewery was taken over by Three Kings Brewery Ltd and all production moved there. Darwin and Three Kings operate independently, producing separate ranges of beers and Gav Sutherland remains Head Brewer of Darwin. Darwin’s core beers and seasonal offerings are available around the North East.
4.8/10
—
Appearance 4
Aroma 5
Flavor 5
Texture 4
Overall 5
33cl bottle. Dark brown color, soapy, off white head. Orange peel, malt and some veggy-like notes in aroma. Wtf! Flavor is smilar with orange peel, malt, mild roastedness, caramel notes. Not good by any means. Weird brew.
Tried
from Bottle
on 05 Feb 2014
at 11:30
6/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 5
Flavor 6
Texture 6
Overall 6
330ml bottle, 4.5 % abv, bought at Kjeller 5 in Tromsø. Noisy pour gradually revealing a crystal clear brown coloured body topped by a fair, beige head. Fragile lacing. Mid-roasted and mid sweet malty smell, mild liquorice to it. Malty taste of dark caramel, earth and nuts followed by bittersweet dark fruits towards the ending. Medium to thin bodied. Just alright on a Saturday afternoon relaxing at home, 25.01.2014.
Tried
from Bottle
on 26 Jan 2014
at 02:18
5.2/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 5
Flavor 5
Texture 6
Overall 5
Bottle (alc. 4,5%). A reddish, dark brown beer with a weak and beige head. The nose is strongly ryebready slightly malty sweetness. Taste of dark malts, sweet, hint of roastiness, some tense herbs in the end. Light+ bodied, mild carbonation. Unfortunately, only moderate beer, too little of roastiness and too much of sweetness.
Tried
from Bottle
on 11 Jan 2014
at 09:51
6.2/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 5
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 7
33 cl bottle (4,5%) @ home, BBE 08/2014
Aroma has some roastiness and cocoa. Perhaps also hints of coffee. Flavour has cocoa, some nuts, roastiness and coffee. Feels a bit like a dunkel but is too smooth to be one. Too light and straightforward, but decent anyway.
Aroma has some roastiness and cocoa. Perhaps also hints of coffee. Flavour has cocoa, some nuts, roastiness and coffee. Feels a bit like a dunkel but is too smooth to be one. Too light and straightforward, but decent anyway.
Tried
from Bottle
on 11 Jan 2014
at 02:24
6.8/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 6
Roast malt with some dark chocolate. Average carbonation. Pours black with ok head and lacing. Not sure if I’m huge on this ancient yeast - the beer comes off a little plain. Some things do get better after time. Bitter finish. Average carbonation. Bottle.
Tried
from Bottle
on 12 Sep 2013
at 13:40
6/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 6
Flavor 6
Texture 6
Overall 6
Bottle sample at a tasting at the Beer & Beyond shop. Thanks zvikar. Dark brown with a beige head. Aroma of chocolate, nuts and caramel. Sweetish flavor with light acidity, toast, caramel and chocolate. Medium-bodied.
Tried
from Bottle
on 19 Jun 2013
at 06:26
7/10
—
Appearance 4
Aroma 7
Flavor 8
Texture 6
Overall 8
11.2 oz bottle. Pours dark brown with reddish highlights; has a medium beige head that collapses into a ring of ugly big-bubbly foam way too quick. Aroma is doughy bread , toasted marshmallow, vanilla. Taste is sweet with a hint of bitterness in the finish. Tastes English. Flavors of minerals, toast, chocolate milk. Body is medium to thin, mouthfeel oily, carbonation average. I haven’t had this in quite a few years. I’m glad I got to try it again.
Tried
from Bottle
on 12 Apr 2013
at 20:09
8/10
Tried
on 29 Mar 2013
at 07:04
6.8/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 7
11.2 fl oz bottle. Black ruby-brown colour, beige head that diminishes leaving some lacing and aroma of chocolate, brown bread, toffee. Roasted malt taste with chocolate, raisin & biscuit notes. Smooth mouthfeel, light bodied, soft carbonation, dry finish. Quite drinkable.
Tried
from Bottle
on 23 Mar 2013
at 15:46
6.8/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 7
Whole Foods, Bowery 33cl ($3): Pours a dark brown with a small tan head. Aroma is chocolate and freshly ground coffee. Taste is chocolate, toffee, with a subdued sweetness. Body is on the lighter side of medium Everything is pretty well-balanced. Mild bitterness. Good beer.
Tried
on 05 Dec 2012
at 21:16