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.
7/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 8
Overall 7
LCRBM2: Light grapefruit aroma. Hopbitter flavor, grassy and citric. Long earthy hoppy aftertaste. Good!
Tried
on 26 Aug 2019
at 12:07
7/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 5
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 9
Just deleted my review. Owhere else sella this in London, the Brewster studied iSundlerland. A salty liqourice porter. Nice if not overwhelming l.
Tried
on 19 Jul 2019
at 17:03
5.8/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 5
Flavor 6
Texture 6
Overall 6
Sample courtesy of Grumbo, cheers Graham! Amber brown colour, thin tan foam head and aroma of grains, bourbon. Taste is malt, sweet, toffee, bourbon, vanilla, woody oak, nutty bitter. Medium bodied, soft carbonation, sweet vanilla at the finish. OK
Tried
on 13 Jul 2019
at 18:23
7/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 7
Flavor 8
Texture 6
Overall 7
11/7/2019. Bottle from CentrAle, Newcastle. Pours amber/copper with a small off-white head. Aroma of bourbon, chocolate, biscuit, caramel and brown sugar. Medium sweetness and light bitterness. Medium body, oily and watery texture, soft carbonation. Bourbon is quite balanced. Quite drinkable.
Tried
from Bottle
on 11 Jul 2019
at 16:24
7.2/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 7
Flavor 8
Texture 6
Overall 8
Bottle. Nice head with good duration. Color is amber. Aroma and taste are rich bourbon, vanilla, fruits, caramel, malt and hops. Sweet bourbon finish.
Tried
from Bottle
on 11 Jul 2019
at 16:19
6.6/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 6
Texture 6
Overall 6.5
Bottle from CentrAle, shared with Ashton McCobb. Pours clear golden with a thin white head. Aromas of light floral hops. Taste is light sweet, biscuit. Definitely more of a golden ale. Sweet finish.
Tried
from Bottle
on 18 Feb 2019
at 11:27
7.2/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 8
Overall 7
Bottle thanks to allmyvinyl. Appearance - golden yellow with a light haze. Thin lacing. Nose - orange and toast. Taste - brown bread with more oranges. Some resin or pith on the end. Palate - light bodied and tangy through middle and finish. Overall - good example of a golden ale, though I see it's supposed to be a lager. Could drink it all afternoon.
Tried
from Bottle
on 18 Feb 2019
at 11:25
6.9/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 7.5
330ml bottle [Thanks to Grumbo for another ship label!]. Darkest brown colour with small to average, frothy to creamy, half-way lasting, minimally lacing, off-white to beige head. Roasty, dark malty aroma, notes of roasted coffee beans, cocoa, dark chocolate. Taste is slightly bitter, hoppy and roasty dark malty, minimally metallic, notes of coffee, hints of cocoa, chocolate, subtle sweetness. Full body, slightly oily texture. Classical.
Tried
from Bottle
on 06 Feb 2019
at 21:17
6.2/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 6
Texture 6
Overall 5
15/5/2018. Bottle courtesy of Danlo, cheers! Pours clear bright pale gold with a lasting bubbly/creamy off-white head. Aroma of hop, grass, malt, grain and fruit. Medium sweetness, moderate bitterness. Moderate body, oily texture, soft carbonation. Sweet malt finish.
Tried
from Bottle
on 15 May 2018
at 21:25
6.6/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 6
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 6.5
500ml bottle from Cheese & Wine Shop, Darlington. Golden amber colour, off-white foam head leaving alittle lacing and malty earthy aroma. Taste is malt, toffee, caramel, tangy grassy, fruity and yeasty with some lingering bitterness. Medium bodied, soft carbonation, dry tangy & bitter finish. Quite drinkable, went well with Berwick Edge cheese.
Tried
from Bottle
on 20 Jan 2018
at 11:39