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.
6.8/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 7
Cask (gravity) @ 28th Pigs Ear Beer and Cider Festival 2011, at The Round Chapel in Hackney, London, EnglandClear medium to dark orange amber color with a small average, frothy, good lacing, mostly lasting, off-white head. Aroma is moderate to heavy malty, caramel, sweet malt, alcohol, fruity - dried fruit. Flavor is moderate to heavy sweet and bitter with a long duration, riped fruit, alcohol, sweet malt. Body is medium, texture is oily, carbonation is soft to flat, finish feel is light alcoholic. [20111207]
Tried
from Cask
on 18 Nov 2012
at 23:17
6.1/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 6
Flavor 6
Texture 6
Overall 6.5
Cask-conditioned at the Seven Stars, Bristol 04/07/2012. Deep gold with a slight, off-white head. Sweetish, summer fruits and grassy hop aroma. Flavour had a touch of caramel, before more fruit and a moderately bitter finish. Fine.
Tried
from Cask
on 08 Jul 2012
at 05:29
5.5/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 5
Flavor 5
Texture 6
Overall 5
Nice dark pour, looks stoutish. Taste is a little lighter than stout but still properly nasty in its own rite. Taste is a little of what I percieve to be old. Not bad overall. Some charcoal in there. Somewhat creamy palate with fine co2 sizzle.
Tried
on 30 May 2012
at 14:16
5.2/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 6
Flavor 5
Texture 6
Overall 4
8th December 2011
Cask at Pigs Ear. Hazy amber beer, residual white head. Dry palate. no carbonation. Appley fruit over a brandyish alcohol. Mildly warming dry finish. Green and clunky.
Cask at Pigs Ear. Hazy amber beer, residual white head. Dry palate. no carbonation. Appley fruit over a brandyish alcohol. Mildly warming dry finish. Green and clunky.
Tried
from Cask
on 01 Apr 2012
at 09:59
5.2/10
—
Appearance 4
Aroma 7
Flavor 5
Texture 4
Overall 5
Bottle. Mild chocolate, molasses, lactose, earth aroma. Black brown with no head. I had my hopes up with the aroma, but this bottle was completely flat and almost flavorless. Maybe the slightest bit of roasted malt came through.
Tried
from Bottle
on 24 Jan 2012
at 15:31
6.8/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 7
Cask@Pigs Ear Beer Festival 2011. Goldeny amber colour with a small head. Aroma is alcohol, fruits, caramel and some mild spicy and herbal notes as well. Flavour is quite much the same. Balanced, but at the sametime the alcoholic sting gives a big warming feeling.
Tried
from Cask
on 20 Dec 2011
at 04:54
5.9/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 6
Flavor 6
Texture 6
Overall 5.5
Chris’ BB2006 bottle. Amber with a small white head. Aroma of dark fruit and sherry, strongly oxidized. Sweet fruity flavour
Tried
from Bottle
on 19 Nov 2011
at 11:20
7.8/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 8
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 8
deep dark black ... thin tan head ... soft milk sugars ... light mellow roast ... light bitter chocolate front ... mellow milk suger roast ... light sweetness ... id be tempted to class as sweet stout ...
Tried
on 07 Nov 2011
at 04:26
5.8/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 5
Flavor 6
Texture 6
Overall 6
Bottle 500ml. @ ChrisOs. [ Vintage BBF 0406 ]. Clear medium amber orange colour with a average, frothy, good lacing, mostly lasting, white head. Aroma is moderate malty, caramel, oxidide, light hoppy, citrus. Flavour is moderate to light light heavy sweet and light moderate bitter with a average to long duration, raisin and cardbord notes. Body is medium, texture is oily, carbonation is soft. [20110804]
Tried
from Bottle
on 06 Sep 2011
at 23:15
5.4/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 5
Flavor 5
Texture 6
Overall 5.5
Bottle @ Chris O’s. Thanks guys. Pours cloudy amber with a small off white head. Oxidized and dusty nose. Yeast and caramel. A bit of straw.
Tried
from Bottle
on 24 Aug 2011
at 04:54