Volume 3, Issue 4, Summer 2011

The FREE Magazine of the Swale branch of CAMRA, The Campaign for Real Ale The Micropub revolution continues Once, there was only the Butcher’s Arms at Herne, that opened in 2005, and then in 2009, owner Martyn Hillier addressed the CAMRA AGM. What a catalyst it was, when it was realised that, with a low investment, you could open a simple small pub in your home town. And, this is what has happened. We have micro- pubs or similar in Herne, and Margate, and now in Westgate. Hopefully, there will be another in Deal and possibly, one in Broadstairs. Where else? See page 39.

Also inside this issue: CAMRA Beer Festival A visit to Whitstable Brewery Merton Farm, Merton Lane, Canterbury The Cider Pages Over 130 real ales and ciders A country walk to Thursday 21 July: 18.30 - 2300 (£5) A small town in Germany Friday 22 July: 12 - 16.00 (Free) The Kentish Brewery News Friday 22 July: 18.30 - 23.00 (£7*) Saturday 23 July: 12.00 - 21.00 (£5) A classic British Pub * Only available in advance. Can be Bands and Beer Gig Listings purchased from the Railway Hotel,

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Local Pub News BADLESMERE: The Red Lion had an enhanced range of beers over the Easter weekend rather than the normal beer festival. Same for the wedding weekend. The August Bank Holiday beer festival goes ahead as usual. : The Bowl beer festival is from 15 to 17 July. Over 40 beers expected! : The Ship Inn is open all day, every day, commencing 1st April, from 12.00 The previous beer range from Adnams and Shepherd Neame has been supplemented by some good local breweries. Beers from Hopdaemon and Old Dairy have been seen. DODDINGTON: The Chequers. New licensees. Opening time is now 12.00 and its moving to a being a more food-led pub, as a serving hatch from a new kitchen has been built into what previously was a blank wall. : The Bear. Welcome back to Chris and Marie who have moved from the George at Newnham. FAVERSHAM: The Leading Light may have a bespoke beer brewed for the Hop Festival. More info in next issue. FAVERSHAM: The Old Wine Vaults hold their St Arnold’s Day Beer Festival between 8th and 10th July with bands, beers and ciders. FAVERSHAM: The Phoenix has its beer festival from Thursday 26th to 30th May. There is a very full list of events at this pub. Refer to their website for more details. FAVERSHAM: The Swan & Harlequin. Mark usually has at least two beers from a choice of Courage Best/Directors, Shepherd Neame Masterbrew or St Austell Tinners. : The Three Hats. Malcolm has been selling Thatcher’s Heritage Cider at £2.50 per pint and will continue to do so whilst there is demand. MINSTER: The Highlander is closed. It was offered at auction but then withdrawn. MINSTER: Prince of Waterloo has also closed. More information is required. NEWINGTON: The Bull no longer sells cask ale. NEWINGTON: The Wheatsheaf closed on Wednesday 13th April. See page 22. NEWNHAM: The George. The new licensees are Paul and Lisa Burton. NEWNHAM: The Tapster. After being closed for two and a half years it should reopen in the summer. The new licensee is John from Simple Simons in Canterbury, as it was before it became The Parrot, which is now a Shepherd Neame house. OARE: The Three Mariners is now open on Mondays. PAINTERS FORSTALL: The Alma. New licensees are expected in July. PERRY WOOD: The Rose and Crown. Now open all day on Saturday and Sunday. : Trafalgar Hotel. This Free House has had recently sold beers from the Exmoor Brewery with others from microbreweries. One to watch. : The Billet has reopened after a closure for refurbishment. Not sure yet what their regular beers are. STALISFIELD GREEN: The Plough will be holding a beer festival over the Bank Holiday from 26th to 29th August. STAPLE STREET: The Three Horseshoes. A belated welcome back to Peter, who sadly will be leaving the pub sometime during the summer after his second tenure. Summer Issue 2011 3

SWALE ALE EDITORIAL

Volume 3, Issue 4 Welcome to another issue of Swale Ale. Our cover story is about Summer 2011 the revolution in micro-pubs that is sweeping this part of Britain (but sadly Published by the Swale Branch of the not Swale….yet!). There are already Campaign for Real Ale Ltd. (CAMRA). four in East Kent, with two more in the Circulation 900 pipeline. Yet, there’s only three more Editor: Bob Thompson in the rest of the country, so we can Email: [email protected] genuinely say we are at the forefront Telephone 01795 530104 of a minor revolution, see page 39. Design and layout: Keir Stanley and Swale Ale is intended to be a Bob Thompson good solid read, so please don’t Contributors: Linda Clarke, Keir hesitate to take it home and maybe Stanley, Bob Thompson pass it on to someone else after that. Print Liaison: Simon Ing It is always in a state of ——————————————— evolution so please look out for the

All Correspondence to: Forge House, Autumn issue when I hope to change Church Road, Oare, Faversham, the look of the magazine. If it doesn’t Kent. ME13 0QA. happen then, it will eventually! ——————————————— CAMRA is continuing to grow and we passed the 100, 000 members Any opinions expressed within these point some time ago. Help us to get pages are those of the individual to 200,000. This isn’t unrealistic judging authors only and do not represent by recent growth. Details of those of CAMRA or any of its officials. membership can be found on page The existence of this publication in a 30. All members receive £20 worth of particular outlet does not imply an vouchers for real ale in endorsement of it by Swale CAMRA . Wetherspoon’s outlets. Assuming you ——————————————— joined and paid by Direct Debit it

Printed by: would cost you £20. So £20 paid, £20 University of Kent Design and Print. back. Overall cost….nothing. Cheque Tel: 01227 827704 and credit/debit card payments are £22. For these amounts you receive a ——————————————— monthly newspaper, a quarterly Branch Details: magazine, and reduced admission Chairman: Bob Thompson prices (or other concessions) for most Secretary: Les Bailey CAMRA beer festivals. If I’ve sold you Social Secretary: Gary Holness it, go to page 30! Treasurer: Les Bailey Finally don’t miss our stall at the Branch Contact: Bob Thompson Faversham Hop Festival. It will be in (01795 530104) or Les Bailey (01795 East Street, outside Iceland. 538824) Cheers, Bob Thompson

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The PHOENIX TAVERN Abbey Street, FAVERSHAM Tel: 01795 591462

Real Ales from Local and National breweries

Fresh food prepared in house every day- Bar snacks and a la Carte

Quality wines and lagers Don’t miss our Beer Festival:

Thursday 26th to Monday 30th May

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Thursday 21st - 23rd July Kent Beer Festival, Swale CAMRA Merton Farm, off Nackington Lane, Canterbury. Thursday: 18.30-23.00; Friday: Branch diary 12.00-16.00, 18.30-23.00; Saturday 12.00- 21.00 (or until beer runs out).

Wednesday 8th June CAMRA CRICKET TENTS Open Branch Business Meeting The Shipwright’s Arms, Hollowshore, Sunday 29th May - Wednesday 1st June Faversham 19.30. Tunbridge Wells. Kent v Leicestershire.

Wednesday 13th July Wednesday 10th - Sunday 14th August Open Branch Business Meeting Canterbury. Kent v Surrey. The Three Tuns, 19.30

Saturday 16th July Pub and other Swale CAMRA Branch A.G.M. The Elephant, Faversham. 14.00, members only, followed by: Beer Festivals The Pub of the Year presentation at about 16.00, not before, open to all. Thursday 26th - Monday 30th May Wednesday 10th August The Phoenix Beer Festival Open Branch Business Meeting Abbey Street, Faversham The Old Wine Vaults, Faversham 19.30 Friday 27th - Saturday 28th May Friday 2nd September The 7th Crabble Mill Beer Festival Hop Festival visit to Shepherd Crabble Mill, Lower Road, River, Dover

Neame Brewery (Provisional) Thursday 26th - Monday 30th May Meeting at The Bear, Faversham 18.30 The New Inn Beer Festival Wednesday 14th September 19 Havelock Street, Canterbury

Open Branch Business Meeting Saturday 2nd - Sunday 3rd July The Red Lion, Badlesmere 19.30 The Shepherd Neame Beer Festival The Vaults, The Brewery, Court Street Specials from microbrewery and others CAMRA Kent Friday 8th July - Sunday 10th July St Arnold’s Beer Festival at The Old Beer Festivals Wine Vaults, Preston Street, Faversham

Friday 15th July - Sunday 17th July Saturday 18th June The Bowl Beer Festival Real Ale and Cider Festival at the Egg Hill Road, Charing

Kent & East Sussex Railway, Friday 15th July - Sunday 17th July Tenterden Town Station, 11.00-22.30 The 2nd Farriers Arms Beer and (or until beer runs out). Music Festival. Mersham

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Kentish Brewery Visit No 1 The Whitstable Brewery

We had been wanting to go to the Whitstable Brewery for a considerable time and so, when we heard from the CAMRA Brewery Liaison Officer, Peter Burstow, that some of the customers of the Concorde pub in Rainham were paying a visit, we asked if we could join them. On a sunny afternoon we made our way to the farm that houses the brewery. We were warmly greeted by Rafik Abidi, the head brewer, who directed us towards the three casks of beer awaiting the group’s consumption. They were East India Pale Ale (4.1%), Oyster Stout (4.5%) and Pearl of Kent (4.5%). The pub coach party arrived about twenty minutes later. They had difficulty finding the brewery. One of the first things that Rafik explained to the group, after they had acquired some beer, was the history of the brewery, which can be summarised as follows. The equipment belonged to the erstwhile Swale Brewery. It is much- travelled and this is its fourth location, the first three being in Swale. When that enterprise went under, the brewery was purchased by the Whitstable Oyster Company who have considerable business interests around the port, including the Hotel Continental. It was the intention to move the equipment to that area but the high prices and lack of anywhere suitable meant that it stayed in its present home. Which is good thing, as it has enabled Rafik to develop the brewery into one of the major players on the Kentish beer scene and also in Essex, Surrey, Sussex and London. What’s more, there’s room to expand further. This occurred eight years ago and during the first year they only supplied their own outlets. Now, of course, it’s a different matter as cask beer, although a staple product, is not everything, as they produce wheat beers and lagers. A very large amount is produced in bottle. One of Rafik’s signature beers is Raspberry Wheat, for which he has received considerable acclaim. It’s a beer that’s popular in restaurants and it goes well in farm shops and other off-sales outlets. Continued on page 10

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Whitstable Brewery continued from page 8

Rafik then gave an informative talk, with questions from the audience, about the brewing process. Starting with the water, he went through all the other ingredients. He explained how the water is treated to suit the various styles of beer. For example, Pale Ale should replicate the water of Burton-on-Trent so it is treated mainly with Calcium Sulphate (gypsum). Conversely Stout requires a hard water to emphasise the malt character of the beer. Lager requires very soft water, and so on for each type of beer. He then dealt with the malts, explaining the process of kilning. He used Oyster Stout as an example, saying that it employed three different malts including chocolate malt along with a little wheat malt. He said he couldn’t use very much of this as it would have induced a haze. Continuing on to hops, he said that the four he used the most were Fuggles, Goldings, Cascade and Perle. He brews with both pelletised and whole hops. The whole hops have a greater surface area that reacts in the brew but they were more susceptible to atmospheric degradation before brewing. He told us how the resins provide the bitterness in the taste and the essential oils of the hop give the beer its aroma. Now on to the yeast. It is a pertinent point that not many small breweries produce so many different types of beer on a continuous basis as Whitstable. Because of this Rafik holds three different yeasts. Top- fermenting for the ales and stouts, so called, because the yeast floats to the top during fermentation. Naturally, bottom-fermenting does its work in the base of the vessel. This is the only way that true lager can be brewed. In a similar fashion only the correct yeast can be used for traditional wheat beers with their characteristic cloudiness. We have to say the visitors were very attentive. Now, having learnt all about the ingredients, Rafik guided them through the brewing process from the crushing of the malt, then to the mash tun, through the sparging (spraying with hot water), into the copper, the subsequent cooling and finally into the fermentation vessels. As a matter of interest wheat beers are in the tank for three days at 23C, ales for four days at 21C, and the lagers ferment for seven to nine days at 13C. Continued on page 13

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FLEUR DE LIS MUSEUM

10-13 Preston Street, Faversham - 01795 534542

Open daily 10am-4pm, Sunday 10am-1pm

1000 years of Faversham history brought vividly to life in state of the art displays and video screens

BOOK & GIFT SHOP Books on Kent history, countryside and coastline - Original gifts and souvenirs, Postcards, Ordnance Survey Maps

CHART MILLS MAISON DIEU Restored Gunpowder Mill Medieval Hospice The oldest of its kind Display of Roman finds

ALL OPERATED BY FAVERSHAM SOCIETY VOLUNTEERS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE TOWN, ITS VISITORS AND ITS PEOPLE

School Parties Welcome [email protected] www.faversham.org/society Faversham’s hidden gem

The Shipwright’s Arms, Hollowshore, Faversham

A 17th Century traditional creek side free house. Selling up to five real ales from Kentish brewers, and serving good food. Take a trip back in time and savour the delights of a truly traditional pub.

Rated by Jamie Oliver as one of the top 100 traditional pubs in the country. Please check website or phone to confirm hours of opening.

Tel: 01795 590088 Web: http://www.theshipwrightsarmspub.co.uk

Directions: At School turn into Ham Road and follow the signs across the marsh.

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The Rose & Crown Perry Wood

A warm welcome awaits you in this beautiful 16th Century Free House adorned with local Goldings hops and traditional exposed beams.

At the centre of historic Perry Wood, unwind here after walking in the surrounding 150 acres of Chestnut, Beech and Oak woodland.

Food is traditional, using local meats and fish, with daily specials, served in the pub or in the adjoining Wood Cottage restaurant.

Hours for food are: Lunch: Daily 12.00-14.00 (14.30 Sunday). Evenings: Tuesday to Sunday 19.00-21.00 (20.30 Sunday).

We have won several Environmental, Green, and Sustainable awards over recent years and were “One of the Best Country Pubs 2007” in the Sunday Times.

We serve Harvey’s Best Bitter, Adnam’s Bitter and a changing guest beer.

Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 11.30-15.00, 18.30-23.00 (not Monday evenings); Saturdays: 11.30-23.00; Sundays: 12.00-22.30.

Perry Wood, Selling, near Faversham, Kent ME13 9RY Tel: 01227 752214 www.roseandcrownperrywood.co.uk

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Whitstable Brewery continued from page 10 We then enjoyed some more excellent beer and Rafik showed us his latest award. Whitstable Brewery has won Best Kent Brewery in the Taste of Kent Awards 2010. A very fitting accolade for the five or so employees of this small enterprise. Look out for their beers in free houses throughout our area, especially the Elephant, Faversham and the Plough at Stalisfield Green. Wetherspoons, Faversham (the Leading Light) is another semi-regular outlet. For bottled beers, the two Macknade shops in Faversham always stock them, along with Waitrose supermarkets in Kent. After the visit we followed the coach party to the White Horse at Sandway, a pub that always has two beers from Whitstable Brewery on offer. Here we enjoyed an excellent buffet, one of the best we’ve every had. All in all, a superb afternoon and our thanks go to Rafik, Peter, and the Concorde customers for their good company. Linda Clarke and Bob Thompson The Cider Pages This year I went to the CAMRA National AGM in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, and was lucky enough to get the last space on the cider trip on the Friday night before. We went in two 15 seater coaches as we had to go down some very narrow roads to near Dronfield, in north Derbyshire, about 10 miles from Sheffield. The destination was Woodthorpe Hall, a stunning 17th century country house, set in 2.5 acres of superb gardens. Proprietor Dick Shepley’s grandfather bought the property in 1926. It is used as a wedding venue with the ceremonies taking place in the Cider Press, a stone open fronted building incorporating a 19th century cider press, still in use. It is understandable fully booked for 2011, in case you were thinking of asking! Woodthorpe only has about 10/12 apple trees of their own so Dick and his wife have to go and fetch a good mixture from all their relatives and friends. Last year produced a bumper crop and they broke all records of production. Continued on page 15

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The Red Lion at

A Sheppey beer oasis with real choice

We are the only pub selling real ale in the historic area of Sheerness,

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Cider continued from page 13

They see cider pressing as a social event where they press the new and drink the old. The first job is washing the fruit; windfalls are all right as long as they are basically sound. The apples go into the first machine which is a bit like a root cutter, it spins them round and chops them into small pieces and pulp comes out at the bottom which then goes into something like an up market garden shredder which liquidises the apples. Sheets of hessian are placed in the square wooden blocks on the press. The apple mixture is then spread in these sheets and made into two “cheeses”. Down comes the press and the juice oozes out and goes straight into small glass carboy containers keeping as much air out as possible. They had so much juice last year they had to finally buy some 1000 litre (220 gallon) plastic containers. Usual production is less than a third of this. The Owd Barker Cider is a medium dry and comes off the press at 6.5% abv. They make it over about two weekends a year and only supply local beer and cider festivals and the Arkwright Arms, see below. The juice froths in the container for the first week, extra sugar is then added. Only the naturally occurring yeast in the apples is used but yeast nutrient is added to make sure the fermentation finishes. Dick says they have got a fairly consistent product now and the cider would be a much more variable product if they didn’t use it. The cider is fermented for 3 months, January to March, then bottled off. We sat and looked around the gardens and were offered a couple of pints of this magnificent cider, which tasted mighty strong. Some bottles were made available for people that wanted to take some away. They have recently experimented with pears and produced a 50/50 pear/apple mix - pider. We were also offered a taste of this, very nice. Afterwards it was back on the buses to the CAMRA East Midlands Cider Pub of the Year, the Arkwright Arms, in Sutton-cum-Duckmanton, about four miles east of Chesterfield, Derbyshire. The Arkwright is a Tudor-fronted freehouse which has a permanent selection of ten real ciders and two traditional perries as well as eight real ales many from local micros. Hosts John and Kathy Chadwick provided an excellent and well needed buffet. Beer, cider and perry festivals are held over Easter and August Bank Holiday weekends. Special thanks should go to Chris Gascoyne, CAMRA’s cider representative for Chesterfield, for organising the event. Linda Clarke

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Out and About An appreciation of Beer Festivals, Brewery trips, and other beer-related experiences Swale CAMRA Branch Visit to SNDC, Oare. Fri 18.02.2011 A small party of members and friends gathered at the Castle at Oare for a quick pint before taking the ten minute walk against a freezing wind to Shepherd Neame’s Distribution Centre on the Western Link at Oare. There we met up with several more members in the instruction room on the first floor. This, rather conveniently, has a bar at the rear of room and on offer on one of the two hand pumps was the current seasonal beer, Amber Ale (4.5%). We were hosted by Ian Barnsby who was assisted by Bryan Mulhern as the Distribution Centre Manager, Andy Miller, was unable to attend. After we had warmed up with a beer or two it was back outside to visit the warehouse, which is always an interesting tour. More beer than even the alcoholic’s wildest dream. The cartons are stacked from the floor almost to the ceiling. A quick look through the bonded warehouse (wines and spirits) brought us back to the main building where we consumed more of the excellent Amber Ale along with a very good buffet. A great evening. Just one point though. The numbers attending were only two thirds of the previous year. So, members, if you want to go to a p*** up in a brewery, we want to see you next year. More seriously, it was a very informative and constructive visit and our grateful thanks go to all at Shepherd Neame for making this great night possible. Leas Cliff Lift Beer Festival, Folkestone Fri-Sat 25/26.02.11 After mentioning this unusual beer festival in the last issue it was essential that we attended. So just after it had opened at 16.00 on a murky Friday afternoon with a sea mist clinging to the cliffs, we descended free of charge (yet another CAMRA perk) on the funicular to the lower station house where the beer festival was held. It was a very small area with just a few seats. Because space was needed for a band one of the lift’s cars was not in passenger use as the musicians blocked the entrance door. This caused an interesting side effect. The lift works by weight, so once all the passengers are in the cars at top and bottom, water is pumped into the upper car until the weight of it is enough to pull the other up as they are attached by a cable which goes around a Continued on page 19

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The Sun Inn Brendan and his team welcome you to the historic Sun Inn in West Street

Our comfortable bar areas are suitable for any occasion or you can dine in our newly refurbished restaurant

There’s an open fire in winter and a lovely garden for the warmer months

The Sun is a true inn and we offer eight rooms at reasonable rates

Open: 11.00 to 11.00 Mon to Sat and 12.00 to 10.30 on Sun

Tel: 01795 535098. Fax: 01795 535322 Email: [email protected]

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THE LEADING LIGHT wetherspoon

OVER 600 OF THE FINEST ALES SOLD NATIONALLY AT J D WETHERSPOON

BRITAIN’S NO.1 SUPPORTER OF MICROBREWERIES

JOIN CAMRA TODAY AND RECEIVE WETHERSPOON REAL VOUCHERS WORTH £20 FULL DETAILS ON APPLICATION FORM: WWW. CAMRA.ORG.UK

Why not eat on one of our Club days? Steak Club: Tuesdays 3pm to 10pm Curry Club: Thursdays 3pm to 10 pm Sunday Club (Roasts): Sundays Noon to 6pm Club meals include a free drink. See menu for details.

20-22 Preston Street, Faversham, Kent Subject to local licensing restrictions and availability at participating free houses

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Out and About continued from page 16 wheel at the top. Because, sometimes, the bottom car was full and the top one was empty, because of the band in front of the door, we watched vast amounts of water go into the tank of the top car just to get it moving. You have to see it to appreciate it all. Back from Victorian engineering to the beer festival itself, the following were on offer: Abigale Samphire Bitter, Canterbury Ales The Wife of Bath’s Ale, The Reeve’s Ale, The Miller’s Ale and, from the Farrier’s Arms brewpub, Farriers 1606. From our local Kent Cider Company there is Oak Matured Russet Bramley, and a Winter Warmer Spiced Cider. Well worth the visit but a bit too crowded. Maybe the trustees of the lift would consider a festival in a marquee on the green at the top. LC + BT The Berry Beer Festival, Walmer Fri-Sun 25-27.02.2011 This is a great little pub festival in an award-winning house. The Berry is noted for its cider as well as beer, and both were very plentiful. There was beer on the bar, from the usual hand pumps, as well as cider. There was a stillage on the side of the room with more beer and, finally down in the cellar (see photo) there was another fine collection of casks waiting to be emptied. The pub used a system of tokens because of the many separate locations that had beer service. An excellent festival the comes highly recommended. LC + BT Leyton Orient Supporters Club 12th Beer Festival Thu-Fri 03-04.03.2011 LOSC luminary Mark Harrison has been badgering us for some years to visit his club’s beer festival and finally we did. It really was a good day out. The supporters have a good modern bar in the new stand and, beer festivals apart, can indulge themselves with up to six real ales. There were about thirty on offer with some from microbreweries in the home counties that we hadn’t previously seen. We will go again. LC + BT

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Swale Ale Walk No 4 Ale, Apples and Pears A circular walk to and Brogdale via

Overview

This walk visits four pubs and Brogdale National Fruit Collection which offers cafes and shops selling beers and ciders. It follows both footpaths, cycle routes and road Circular Walk—5 miles approx. 1 hour 40 minutes walking

This walk starts at Faversham train station (the front/main entrance). This is also the stopping point for a number of buses. From the main ticket office turn left and along Station Road and continue past the Co-op into Forbes Road. Just before the railway bridge, take a right hand turn down Briton Road. Continue until the end, turn left and follow road around and alongside the railway line until you reach Ospringe Road. At this point take a left and walk down under the railway bridge until you reach our first pub The Ship Inn. This two roomed 16th Century inn is located on the A2 between Faversham and Sittingbourne. On my visit the pub served three real ales including Master Brew, London Pride and Courage Best. However the pub regularly takes Harvey’s Sussex Best and other guest beers. This pub serves a range of food including bar snacks. It has two open fires and a large garden to the rear. Continue your walk crossing the A2 and turn left down Water Lane walking past the Maison Dieu which is open to the public Saturdays and Sundays between 14:00 and 17:00 until the end of October. Follow Water Lane past Ospringe Primary School and go right down a footpath that leads off opposite Mutton Lane. Walk though allotments and past the small hop field until you reach a small farm track. Turn left and walk towards the farm buildings. Follow the path to the left of the farm buildings and walk though the fields with Ospringe Church to your left. Continue until you reach a small gate. Go through the gate and follow the path bearing right until you reach Water Lane again. Take a left and follow Water Lane for a very short while until you reach the junction with Painter’s Forstal Road. Cross the motorway bridge and follow this road for approximately ten minutes passing Pawley Cider Farm. Continue until you reach Painter’s Forstal and The Alma Public House.

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1

4

3

Key

1 The Ship Inn

2 The Alma Brogdale

3 The Crown and Anchor

2 4 The Elephant

This lovely village pub is the half way point for the walk. It has both a public and a saloon bar which also serves as an eating area. The pub sells Shepherd Neame beers and on my visit was serving Master Brew and Spitfire. The pub has a range of good food but this does not intrude on the village pub feel. There is a small outdoor seating area at the front which on my visit was a real suntrap. Leaving the Alma turn left out of the pub and then directly right down Road. Walk for about two minutes and as you are about to go down the hill, turn left though a gate into Lorenden Park. Follow the path down though the trees for approximately five to ten minutes until you see a small red brick bridge. Cross the bridge and then continue through the gate onto Eastling Road again. Turn left and walk along the road and up the hill for about10 minutes until you reach Brogdale National Fruit Collection. Brogdale maintain and promote the National Fruit Collection and visitors can participate in guided orchard tours, courses and take a ride on the miniature railway. In recent years they have opened Brogdale Market Place selling local fruit, vegetables, meat and plants. Tiddly Pomme specialise in selling a range of local bottled beers and wines as well as having a wide range of local draught cider. When leaving Brogdale turn right onto Brogdale Road (the end of Eastling Road) and cross the motorway bridge. Follow the road until it reaches the A2. Turn right and walk along the side of the A2 using the footbridge to cross the road. Continued on page 22 Summer Issue 2011 21

Swale Ale Walk continued from page 21

Continue walking until you reach the Faversham turning. Turn left into The Mall where you will reach The Crown and Anchor. This large Shepherd Neame pub serves Master Brew and offers a good range of cooked food. Open Monday to Friday from 10:30 until 15:00 this is a good place to stop for something to eat before continuing to The Elephant further down The Mall. Opening at 15:00, it is essential that you time your walk well. The Elephant is an excellent pub to have a few pints before the short walk back to Faversham railway station (via the rear entrance at the end of The Mall). This free house serves a changing range of five different beers from local breweries as well as national favourites. This CAMRA award-winning pub prides itself on serving a wide range of different beer styles including a regular mild, as well as a range of dark and golden ales. The Elephant has a lovely sunny garden and a real log fire in the winter. It does not however serve food and for this reason I would suggest you get something to eat en route or in Faversham town centre some five minutes walk away. Keir Stanley Wheatsheaf at Newington closes

Another one bites the dust. Sold at auction on 2nd March, The Wheatsheaf closed on 13th April. That evening it was packed and there was a band playing. In its latter days, this former Truman pub offered Courage Best and Directors. Elsewhere in Newington, the historic George coaching inn burnt down in the 1990s, so now the only pub is The Bull, which doesn’t sell cask ale. Newington once had many pubs, as it was a horse change stop for stages on the old Dover Road. So this is very sad news for the village residents and visitors.

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Summer Issue 2011 23

The Kentish Brewery Scene

ABIGALE BREWERY, Ashford. Ridgeway (3.8%) was in pubs in May. Beer in take-away 5 and 10 litre boxes is available by prior arrangement. BLACK CAT BREWERY, Groombridge. The first beer from this new brewery was Original (4.2%), available from early May. The CANTERBURY ALES, Chartham. Still the original three beers in the core range. Prince’s Ale (4.0%), for that wedding, was brewed with Citra hops. CANTERBURY BREWERY, a new company created by the owners of The City Arms. The first beer is brewed by Canterbury Ales until their own brewery opens. GADD’S RAMSGATE BREWERY, Broadstairs. A protest beer? With James of Wantsum Brewery Eddie has created Low & Behold (2.8%) at the highest possible strength in the new duty band. No change to the core range, the following seasonal beers are available in the coming months: Modern Mild (6.0%) in May, Common Conspiracy (4.8%), also in May, She Sells Sea Shells (4.7%) from June to August, Festiv’Ale (3.8%), from June to September and Summer’s Day (4.3%) during July. GOACHER’S BREWERY, . Apologies, they were missed out of the last issue. So, by way of recompense, please find a complete list of their beers: Real Mild Ale (3.4%), Fine Light Ale (3.7%), Best Dark Ale (4.1%), Crown Imperial Stout (4.5%), Gold Star Ale (5.1%) and Old 1066 Ale (6.7%). There is also House Ale (3.8%) for pubs to re-badge. It’s called Shipwrecked at the Shipwright’s Arms. GOODEY’S BREWERY, Herne. No further news of this venture. HOPDAEMON BREWERY, Newnham. Nothing new since last issue. KENT BREWERY, Birling, near West Malling. Same beers as the last issue, with some alterations in strength. All are now brewed at Birling. Pale is 4.0% not 4.3%, Black Gold is 4.0% not 4.3%, KGB (Kent Goldings Bitter), referred to as Bitter, is still 4.1%. Zingiber (Ginger) is 4.1% not 4.4% and Porter is 5.5%. A new beer is Cobnut (4.1%). Two more will come in Summer. A new fermenter has been installed. LARKINS BREWERY, Chiddingstone. No change. OLD DAIRY BREWERY, Rolvenden. Spring Top (4.0%) is out and Sun Top (3.6%) follows. Dark Side of the Moo (7.0%), a Porter, was a special in spring. FARRIER’S ARMS OLD FORGE BREWERY, Mersham. Bishop’s Brew Stout (4.3%) was the Spring Ale, followed by Summer Gold (4.1%). MILLIS BREWING, South Darenth, is now distributing in East Kent. MOODLEY’S BREWERY, Penshurst. Beer is unpasteurised and unfiltered. Royal Match (3.2%) was brewed for the wedding. More bottled beers to follow. NELSON BREWERY, Chatham. More beers since last issue, some new, some missed previously. These are Helmsman (3.5%), Midshipman Dark Mild (4.0%), Press Gang Pale Ale (4.3%), Core Commander (4.4%), an apple ale made with Bramleys(!), No 23 (4.4%), Black Jack Old Ale (5.4%) and Nelson’s Blood (6.0%) which was one of the old range. These are all occasionally brewed. Upcoming seasonals are Spinnaker (4.0%) in May and June and Cutlass (4.0%) during July and August. Splice the Mainbrace (4.3%) was for the wedding. Continued on Page 26

24 Summer Issue 2011

The Elephant Faversham’s Free House

Swale CAMRA Pub of the Year 2007 to 2010 and East Kent CAMRA Pub of the Year 2010 Normally five beers, mainly from local microbreweries and a real traditional cider Large courtyard garden and a function room Open: Tuesday to Friday: 3pm to 11pm, Saturday: 12 noon to 11pm, Sunday: 12.00 noon to 7pm During the Hop Festival we will be serving around 25 different beers throughout the weekend 31 The Mall, Faversham, Kent ME13 8JN. Tel: 01795 590157

Summer Issue 2011 25

Kent Breweries continued from page 24 ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS BREWERY, Tunbridge Wells. The Spring seasonal beer was Royal Pale Ale (5.2%). Another venture was Golden Ticket (5.0%), an American Pale Ale under the Spa Brewery name. TONBRIDGE BREWERY, Tonbridge. Coppernob (3.6%) was a spring beer. SHEPHERD NEAME, Faversham. The Pilot brewery did not produce beers for pubs between December and March. This was because Stewart Main, Senior Brewer, was heavily involved in the research and development of new beers. Most of these are destined for the bottle as Shepherd Neame have received a large order from Lidl supermarkets. Some of these beers share the same names as draught seasonal beers but they have different recipes as Lidl only want beers of 4.0% abv. Since January the following have been brewed: Amber Ale, Burns Ale, Up and Under (for Six Nations Rugby), Double Stout (for St Patrick’s Day), Middleton to Windsor (for Royal engagement), Dragonfire (for St George’s Day). In the summer there will be 19th Hole (for Open Golf Championship), also Summer Sizzler and another Up and Under (for the Rugby World Cup). Back to the Pilot brewery, the first brew of the year was Jack in the Green (4.1%) destined for pubs in Hastings to sell during the May Day festival of the same name. It contains Sussex Honey. Other beers will follow. On the main plant Amber Ale was replaced by Double Stout in March, followed by Dragonfire. Also available from March to May is Early Bird when it will be replaced by Whitstable Bay. Canterbury Jack (3.5%) is the Spring and Summer beer. The recipe has been changed so that it will taste more bitter and fruity. Royal Wedding Ale (4.7%) was out for the event. Back to bottled beers, Kent’s Best (4.1%), for the first time, is to be bottled for Aldi supermarkets. All of the bottled beers mentioned are brewery-conditioned. Their only bottle-conditioned beer 1698 has a new (old- style) label design There will be another bottle-conditioned beer soon and that’s Generation (ca 9.0%-10.0%). This is a premium ale in 750ml corked bottles, ideal to be drank as an accompaniment to meals, that takes over six months to make. There will just one brew a year on the main plant. SWAN ON THE GREEN, West Peckham. There was a mild during May. A summer seasonal is expected. WANTSUM BREWERY, Hersden has a new Mild, Black Prince (3.9%). WESTERHAM BREWERY, Westerham. Rob’s Virtuous Ale (4.0%), an American Brown, was out during May. WHITSTABLE BREWERY, Grafty Green. Wedding Bliss (4.3%) was out in April. See article on page 8.

NEW BREWERIES: DOVER. A brewpub is to be located in the Cullins Yard complex. Opening soon, it will be a 2.5 barrel plant with two fermentation vessels. NEW BREWERIES: FAVERSHAM AREA. Guy Mapplebeck, formerly of Old Dairy Brewery, is planning to open a brewery “somewhere round here” he said. He is producing a beer under the Wagglers name at Weltons Brewery in Horsham.

ROTHER VALLEY BREWERY, Northiam, East Sussex. No news.

26 Summer Issue 2011

Why advertise in Swale Ale? Swale Ale is a very cost effective medium. Only found in pubs (at least 90% of the print), Tourist Offices, and Kent Beer Festivals. It’s free, taken home, and passed on. It’s local, it’s printed on gloss paper for a superb finish. It’s dead cheap, just £20 for a half page (landscape only), and £35 for a full page. Suitable for pubs, breweries, businesses, clubs, hotels, taxis, and those who want to promote their goods and services in local pubs. Current print run: 900, Autumn issue possibly 1000. Published: quarterly. Next copy date: circa 1st August 2011, although submissions before then would be greatly appreciated. Contact Swale Ale, Forge House, Church Road, Oare,

Short measures and what to do about it The law says that when you order a pint of beer, that is exactly what you should get. If you’re served short, then ask for your glass to be filled to the correct measure. It should be done with good grace. Naturally, it is important that it is requested politely. However, if satisfaction is not forthcoming you should report it to: Trading Standards, Kent County Council, County Hall, Maidstone, ME14 1XQ. Tel: 08458 247247.

Summer Issue 2011 27

Classic British Pubs No 1

The Britons Protection, Manchester

Hopefully, this is will be the first of a series of articles celebrating the best of British pubs. Whilst there are no specific ground rules it is important that the pub is traditional with a classic interior design, be it Art Deco, Victorian, basic rural, etc, etc. The second point is that it must serve beers from regional and/or small breweries. So, the first stop in the series is Manchester where at 50, Great Bridgewater Street, the rather bleak façade of the Britons Protection faces the New Bridgewater Hall, a prestigious venue in the city, home of the Hallé Orchestra. In fact, it is not unusual to see members wetting their whistles (or other instruments) before and/ or after a performance. Inside it’s the opposite of the outside vista. The pub was built in 1806 and was partially refurbished during the 1920s. This was finished off in the 1930s with a new bar counter in the front bar. The pub has a classic Northern layout with a tiled drinking corridor with paintings of the Peterloo Massacre. This has a serving hatch to the bar, which also used by customers in the two rear rooms, also restructured in the

1930s. The Smoke Room still retains the bell pushes that used to summon the waiters. To this visitor there seemed to have been no changes since pre-war. You will normally find five cask beers from regional and small brewers, normally one each from Robinsons, Moorhouse and Jennings, plus guests. One notable aspect is the vast range of whiskies, over 200, from the usual countries and from around the world. It’s fun just reading all the bottle labels. There is a good menu featuring a lot of game, some from the Tatton estate. Bob Thompson

28 Summer Issue 2011

The Red Lion A Free House at Badlesmere

Built during the reign of Henry VIII, the Red Lion lies on the main road from Faversham to Ashford. We serve food sourced mostly from local farms and growers. We offer real ales, changing regularly. Saturday night is music night with the best of bands. Check website for listings. We have a beer festival over the August Bank Holiday weekend. Open: Monday to Friday: Midday to 11pm, Saturday: Midday to Midnight, Sunday: Midday to 9.30pm Food served: Monday to Friday 12.00 to 2.30pm, 6.30 to 8.45pm, Saturday 12.00 to 2.45pm, Sunday 12.00 to 2.45pm. Ashford Road, Badlesmere, Kent. ME13 0NX www.redlionbadlesmere,co,uk Email: [email protected] Tel: 01233 740320

Summer Issue 2011 29

30 Summer Issue 2011

75 Preston Street, Faversham

01795 591817

The Old Wine Vaults is a 16th century pub set in the heart of historic Faversham.

We offer three regularly changing cask ales, and a cask cider. We specialise in Hopdaemon beers and always have one of their excellent range available.

We were awarded the Cask Marque accreditation last year, and are also in the 2011 Good Beer Guide.

To compliment our beers we also offer a wide ranging bar menu.

The pub is open Mon-Sat 11am to 11pm and Sundays 12pm to 10.30pm. Don’t forget our St Arnold’s Day Beer Festival: 8th to 10 July. See page 23.

Summer Issue 2011 31

International Crawl No 6 A Small Town in Germany

The German state of Baden-Württemberg is in the south of the country, left of Bavaria. Its southern border is with Switzerland, and most of its western with France. Both are on the other side of the river Rhine. The state capital is the industrial city of Stuttgart, in the north. As explained, the state has one important river boundary but there is another, as this is here that the mighty Danube rises as a small stream. In the beautiful city of Ulm with its stunning cathedral, it has already become a river and the opposite bank is in Bavaria. Our destination in this article is south of Ulm but maybe a small mention of the drinking opportunities on the city are worthy of note. There is only one major regional brewery and that is Gold Ochsen (Gold Oxen). Their beers are pleasant enough and can be found all over the area, including the railway station bar. In the city centre is a branch of the Barfüsser (Barefoot person) chain. Yes, the name is somewhat odd. Their beers are somewhat mediocre in this writer’s view. Standard range is a light and a dark, with occasional seasonal specials. However there is a little gem in the city but it requires a short ride. There is only one tram route in Ulm, not unsurprisingly, the No 1. It runs past the station and one of the termini is Söflingen, where you will find the Brauerei Krone (Crown brewery), founded in 1887. The tram terminus is fifty metres from the brewery and pub. You walk through the brewery yard to get to the pub, photo above right. It is a warm and homely house with many rooms. As always in places like this, the food is exemplary; however this visit was for drinking only. There was an innovation since my last visit as they now offered a sampler tray, similar to that in the U.S.A, for €3.40. Four beers in 10ml glasses were offered in a wooden carrier, see photo above left. These were: Spezial Hell, Urtrunk Dunkel, Kellerpils naturtrüb and Natureisbock. Respectively, these are a standard light beer, a malty dark beer, a

32 Summer Issue 2011

The Railway Hotel Preston Street FAVERSHAM

Dropped from the Good Beer Guide after twenty years. The landlord knows about Bitter. 01795 533173

[email protected]

Summer Issue 2011 33

Ehingen continued from page 32 Now we get to the main focus of the article, EHINGEN. This is a small market town south west of Ulm about twenty five minutes journey away on a Regional Express train. It is notable because it has three breweries within the town centre, with another a couple of miles away. Join me last September, as I walked out of the railway station, went past the bus station, then wandered down Hindenburgstrasse to BRAUEREI ZUM SCHWERT at Viehmarkt 9. It is the classic German market town combination of pub, hotel and brewery. Although closed all day on Saturday, it opens at 07.00 on all other days including Sunday! It was established in 1802. There are five regular beers, Lager Hell (light), Dunkel (dark), Pils, along with Hell and Dunkel versions of Weizenbier (wheat). A standard range, but of high quality, to which I can testify, as I tried the first three and really liked them all. The bar area is 100% traditional with wooden settles (with cushions!) and beautiful stained glass windows (see photo left). Leaving Zum Schwert I crossed over a small steam, a tributary of the Danube, and into the main part of the town. I walked along Hauptstrasse to my next destination at number 171. Despite its name, it must have been a very long time since this was the main street of the t own , as its name implies. The BRAUEREI RÖSSLE (photo right) first brewed in 1663 and has been in the hands of the same family ever since. I passed the brewery itself and went up the internal stairs of the building next to the first floor bar area. There are three main beers: Dunkel-Extra (5.0%), Spezial- Hell (5.2%) and Edel-Ross (5.2%), a half-dark beer. I had the Hell and, although I liked the flavour, I was disappointed by the amount of gas in it. Continued on page 37

34 Summer Issue 2011

The Bowl Inn Free House

Our Beer Festival runs from Friday 15th to Sunday 17th July. Over 40 beers. Camping is available.

Five en-suite rooms, one with disabled facilities

Monday to Saturday: Noon to Midnight, Sunday: Noon to 23:00. Please phone or visit website for restricted weekday opening during Winter months

Alan and Sue Paine. Tel: 01233 712256 Egg Hill Road, Charing, Ashford TN27 0HG www.bowl-inn.co.uk Email: [email protected] Summer Issue 2011 35

The CHIMNEY BOY

Offering a wide selection of meals and desserts.

Food is served on Mondays from 11.30am to 2.00pm; Tuesdays to Saturdays from 11.30am to 8.00pm.

Traditional Sunday Roast from 12pm to 2.30pm. A range of traditional home-made food, as well as steaks and fish. Chimney Boy Meal Deal: A choice of Main meal and a Desert from the Special menu for just £5.00, Children £3.50. The function room is available to book. Open: Monday to Thursday 11-11, Friday and Saturday 11-11.30, Sunday 11.30-10 Preston Street, Faversham, Kent. ME13 8PG. Tel: 01795 532007

36 Summer Issue 2011

Ehingen continued from page 34

Soon I was on my way again, back along Hauptstrasse, then up into the centre, passing the market place on the way, where they were setting up the stage for a music festival. At 7, Herrengasse is the SCHWANNENBRAUEREI, another ancient brewery that dates from 1697. The brew house is on the opposite side of the road from the pub, which is extremely sumptuous. This is, by far, in terms of output, the smallest brewery visited. Yet it is also very progressive and I was presented with a very interesting beer list of Zwickel naturtüb (a cloudy, bitter, organic beer), 300er Jubelbier (dark, organic), Special (unfiltered, light hell, served in stone mug), and a Pils. There was also a beer of the month, which was some kind of wheat beer, so if I had to pass on something it was to be that, as it is not my favourite style. I tried a small glass of all the others and was very impressed. The Jubelbier was a bit too malty for my palette, but that’s the way it often is. The other three were excellent examples of their styles. Sadly I had to leave earlier than I’d liked, as there was a bus to catch to get to the village of BERG, less than three km from Ehingen. The BERG BRAUEREI is the largest in the area, supplying a large number of pubs. It is located in the main street at 21 Graf-Konrad-Strasse. The brewery is separated from the pub by the yard and is located, quite rightly, at 2 Brauhausstrasse. The pub building is yet another of those beautiful structures that are so inviting in this part of the world. They brew seven regular beers but I’m not certain whether they were all available on draught in the pub. As four of them were wheat beer variants, that left three. I passed on the Ulrichtsbier (dark) (5%), and had some Original (hell) (4.8%) and Pils (4.5%). I liked both very much, the Pils being an especially good example of the German Pils style. Ehingen is a great place to sample beers as, apart from the indigenous breweries, the town has several pubs selling beers from breweries in the surrounding area. Bob Thompson

Summer Issue 2011 37

38 Summer Issue 2011

The First Micropub: The Butcher’s Arms at Herne Where a revolution began and where it’s going next

Some of our readers may remember the Canterbury Beer Shop in Palace Street, Canterbury, which was operated by Martyn Hillier. It was well known for its take-away draught beer, amongst many other exotic offerings. When this venture closed after a branch of a national off-license opened nearby, he decided to move to Herne and rented a former butcher’s shop in the village. From these premises his wife ran a florist shop at the front of the building and Martyn continued the Beer Shop at the rear. All this was to change in 2005. That was when the Licensing Act came into force and local councils took on the responsibilities that had previously been dealt with by the Magistrate’s Courts. Martyn could see that the process of application, and the conditions, were not as onerous as before, with less to prove before the application was granted. Thus the Butcher’s Arms was born, opening on the very first day of the new legislation and the rest is history, as they say. The pub is run on minimal lines, and is all the better for it. The public area is just 12ft by 14ft, with seating for about 16, at a pinch, at the tables, which are the blocks from the previous butcher’s business. Decor is brewery drip mats, pump clips and brewery posters, along with some more eclectic items like a life-size mannequin in a corner. Plastic items like pork chops, legs of lamb, and rubber chickens hang from the ceiling, and provide a very unconvincing feeling that one is still in a butcher’s shop. Beer is served direct from the cask from a small room at the back of the pub and there at least four on offer. Dark Star Hophead is always available, yum. The other three vary, but always include something from a small Kentish brewery. Normal facilities are Continued on page 41 Summer Issue 2011 39

40 Summer Issue 2011

Micropubs continued from page 39 provided as there is a WC at the rear reached through the “cellar”. As can be gathered, beer is the staple offering of this pub, with very little else. There is a white wine, but no cider or spirits. The menu consists of home-made pickled eggs and onions, and the pre-packed snacks you find in most pubs, and that’s it. No piped music, machines, televisions or other distractions. People talk to each other here, which I’m sure, would be quite a novelty to some pub-goers. Since opening, Martyn has won several awards for the quality of the beer and the pub itself. A pivotal moment was when he gave a speech to members at the 2009 CAMRA AGM, explaining the processes he had gone through to establish the pub. It was intended to inspire, and it did, but you wouldn’t have believed it when you read the next edition of What’s Brewing, the CAMRA newspaper, which printed a member’s letter condemning his presentation. How blinkered can you be? He has directly influenced the opening of at least six successful micropubs and beerhouses Open: Tuesday to Saturday: 12.00 to 13.30, 18.00-21.00; Sun: 12.00-14.00. Will remain open later if customer numbers are sufficient. micropub.co.uk In the last issue we had an article about the Lifeboat, Margate and the Conqueror at Ramsgate, both directly inspired by Martyn’s creation. To take the story further, I recently visited Just Beer in Newark, Notts. It’s located in a former industrial building down a cul-de- sac off a main road. You’d never know it was there, yet it was full up! See photos above and left. True to the ethos, it sells only beer and cider, between four and seven at a time, and that’s a lot for a very small pub, although it is a lot bigger than the Butcher’s, and actually possesses separate Ladies and Gentlemen’s toilets! justbeermicropub.biz That address to the CAMRA AGM has seen another pub on the road to success and that’s the Rat Race Ale House on Hartlepool station, Teesside. I’ve now visited it, so expect a report in the next issue. ratracealehouse.co.uk

Continued on page 42

Summer Issue 2011 41

Micropubs continued from page 41 Another micropub is the Microbar in the Market of the massive Arndale Centre in Manchester. It’s been around for a while and, unbelievably, been extended once already, to provide an off-licence. This micropub does not seem to be inspired by Martyn. It’s owned by the Boggart Brewery and always features their beers, plus others and a cider or perry. It’s a fixed location market stall surrounded by many others that sell all sorts of ready-made food from all over the world. Just around a corner is a fabulous wet fish stall and a local butcher that makes their own pies. It’s tiny and sells a large amount of British and Foreign bottled beers. There are seats and tables that serve all the market’s stalls, to sip your beer whilst watching the trams trundle along Church Street. Only open when the market is: Monday to Saturday: 11.00- 19.00; Sunday: 12.00-17.00 Back in East Kent we now have four Micropubs, as the Bake & Alehouse opened in Westgate-on-Sea on Wednesday 27th April. It’s in St Mildreds Road, a small street alongside the cinema. This is the brainchild of Pete Williams and Gwyneth Dear. True to the cause, it only sells cask ale, cider (from Broomfield Farm), and wine. It is located next to an old bakehouse, hence the name, and it is intended to introduce

a limited amount of food, including baked items. When I visited, four beers and a cider were offered. There is no bar, as beers are served straight from the cask out of a cool room. No Website yet but they can be viewed on Facebook. Open daily from 12.00 to 14.00, and 17.30 to 21.00. Bob Thompson

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Summer Issue 2011 43

Beer and Bands Real Ale with music, a diary of gigs in Swale

Not every date can be shown, but we will try for as many as possible. Please send your bookings from mid August to early November to: [email protected] MAY Saturday 4. JAM SANDWICH and CROSSFIRE Thursday 26. PEPPER SET The Vaults, Shepherd Neame Brewery, The Carpenters Arms, Eastling, 20.00 Faversham. 19.00. (£6)

Friday 27. STATE OF MIND Sunday 5. BROKEN The Old House at Home, Queenborough, The Old House at Home, Queenborough 20.30 17.00

Friday 27. BENZEGO Sunday 5. PEPPER SET The Red Lion, Badlesmere, 21.00. The Market Inn, Faversham, 14.30.

Friday 27. GEAR BOX Sunday 5. THE GROOVECHASERS The Market Inn, Faversham, 20.30. The Anchor, Faversham

Sunday 29. THE RADLERS Wednesday 8. JEFF WARNER The Red Lion, Badlesmere, 21.00. Faversham Folk Club, Chimney Boy 20.00

Sunday 29. CROSSFIRE Friday 10. GEOFF EVERETT The Anchor, Faversham, 19.00 The Market Inn, Faversham, 20.30.

Sunday 29. JUICY LUCY Saturday 11. SHED LOAD OF LOVE The Old House at Home, Queenborough, The Red Lion, Badlesmere, 21.00.

17.00 Sunday 12. FECKS

SUNDAY 29. RETROPHONIC The Old House at Home, Queenborough, ARCHIVE The Carpenters Arms, Eastling 17.00

Monday 30. CHAN Sunday 12. GOOSEBUMPS The Old House at Home, Queenborough, The Market Inn, Faversham, 14.30.

17.00 Sunday 12. JUMBO GUMBO

The Plough, Lewson Street, 18.00

JUNE Friday 17. WILDFIRE

Friday 3. HAPPY TRAILS The Sun, Faversham, 20.30.

The Sun, Faversham, 20.30. Friday 17. HULLABALOO

Saturday 4. ZENITH The Plough, Stalisfield Green

The Old House at Home, Queenborough, Friday 17. UNDER THE WOOD 20.30 The Ship, Ospringe

Saturday 4. PORCH SWING BLUES Saturday 18. ROBIN FALCON AND The Elephant, Faversham THE CROSSFIRE

The Red Lion, Badlesmere, 21.00.

44 Summer Issue 2011

The Old House at Home Queenborough

The home of live music!

Bands every Sunday from 5pm

Jamming nights every Wednesday

A great place to meet and see the sunset

Real Ales changing regularly

We serve food Monday to Saturday from 12 to 9

Roast Sunday dinners 12 to 4

Summer Issue 2011 45

Beer and Bands continued from page 44 Sunday 19. TIM HAIN AND Wednesday 20. PETE MORTON JAMSIDE UP Faversham Folk Club, Chimney Boy 20.00

The Market Inn, Faversham, 14.30. Friday 22. CULTURED PEARL Sunday 19. GET CARTER The Old House at Home, Queenborough, The Old House at Home, Queenborough, 20.30

17.00 Sunday 23. HEADLONG Wednesday 22 MARTIN SIMPSON The Old House at Home, Queenborough, Faversham Folk Club, Chimney Boy 20.00 17.00 (£10 members, £12 non-members) Friday 29. NAGASAKI 3 Friday 24. M.O.D. The Sun, Faversham, 20.30. The Market Inn, Faversham, 20.30. Sunday 31. BAD PENNIES Sunday 26. CAMINE The Old House at Home, Queenborough, The Old House at Home, Queenborough, 17.00 17.00 AUGUST JULY

Friday 1. PASS THE CAT Friday 5. ATLANTIC CURRENTS The Red Lion, Badlesmere, 21.00. The Old House at Home, Queenborough, 20.30 Friday 1. ONE FOR THE ROAD The Sun, Faversham, 20.30. Sunday 7. ENGLISH ROGUES The Old House at Home, Queenborough, Friday 1. STEAM BOAT 17.00 The Old House at Home, Queenborough, 20.30 Sunday 14. SLUG PIXIES The Old House at Home, Queenborough, Friday 1. IVAN THOMPSON 17.00 The Market Inn, Faversham, 20.30.

Saturday 2. BAKTRAK No responsibility is accepted for the The Market Inn, Faversham, 20.30. accuracy of these bookings but they

Sunday 3. PEPPER SET were accurate at the time of The Old House at Home, Queenborough, compilation. 17.00

Wednesday 6. ROBB JOHNSON Please always check with venues Faversham Folk Club, Chimney Boy 20.00 before travelling as bookings can

Friday 8. TIM HAIN BAND change. The Sun, Faversham, 20.30 All dates are free except where an Saturday 16. KELLY’S HEROES entrance price is indicated. The Red Lion, Badlesmere, 21.00.

Sunday 17. DRRINK The Old House at Home, Queenborough, 17.00

46 Summer Issue 2011

The Swan & Harlequin

Mark and Linda invite you to their new-look pub

There’s a lot going on at the Swan & Harlequin

For sporting events there are two wide screen TVs

You can hear live bands on most Friday nights (Check for details)

We always have two Real Ales on draught Try our Sunday Roasts with a choice of three different meats at £6.50, and a sweet for £3.

Bed and Breakfast is offered in our eight en-suite bedrooms

Open: 12.00 to 23.00 Monday to Sunday

Summer Issue 2011 47

Valid until the end of Aug 2011 Valid until the end of Aug 2011 Not to be used with any other offer Not to be used with any other offer

48 Summer Issue 2011