Make mine a pint
10:52, 28 September 2011
Nearly 150 pubs from Kent have made it in to the new CAMRA Good Beer Guide. Chris Price picks out his favourite new additions.
For 39 years, CAMRA's Good Beer Guide has made no secret of where ale lovers can head for a good pint. So expect an army of stout stalwarts to make their way to Kent now that 44 new pubs from the county have entered the 2012 book.
A total of 146 Kent drinking holes are in the beer and pub guide, all selected and reviewed by more than 125,000 Campaign for Real Ale members.
Kent also has 21 breweries in this year's Good Beer Guide compared to 15 in 2011.
The guide hails the 104 beers regularly brewed in Kent, served in country inns, urban-style bars and backstreet boozers across the Garden of England.
Anyone taking a trip out of the county can choose from more than 4,500 urban and rural pubs across the UK, with details of food, opening hours, beer gardens, accommodation, transport links, pub history, disabled access and facilities for families.
Among the pubs featured are the Flower Pot in Maidstone, which has been chosen as Kent's Regional Winner of National Pub Of The Year.
Described as a "real ale lovers' paradise" it has nine hand pumps serving ales from Kent and the rest of the UK. The announcement on the national competition will be made early next year.
More details about the Flower Pot on 01622 757705.
Five places for the perfect pint.
Buttermarket, 39 Burgate, Canterbury CT1 2HW.
Just a few yards from the main entrance to Canterbury Cathedral, there has been a pub on the site of the former Buttermarket for more than 500 years.
It used to have tunnels linking it to the cathedral and the view of the cathedral gate from the front of the pub is among the finest in Canterbury. Food is available all day including breakfast and pies with unusual fillings. Call 01227 462170.
Lifeboat Ale and Cider House, 1 Market Street, Margate CT9 1EU.
A short distance from the Turner Contemporary, this former wine bar opened its doors to real ale aficianados last year. Serves about 12 mainly Kentish beers and real cider. Call 07837 024259.
Coopers Arms, 10 St Margaret Street, Rochester ME1 1TL.
A proper olde worlde pub in a Grade II listed building just a short stroll from Rochester Cathedral. It has two beamed bars and a cosy beer garden ideal for drinking on a warm evening over the Indian summer. Call 01634 404298.
Duke of Wellington, The Street, Ryarsh, near West Malling ME19 5LS.
This 16th century pub in the heart of this picturesque village is a popular spot with ramblers. The two bars are divided by inglenook fireplaces and the enclosed garden claims to be home to the largest petanque court in England. There is also regular live music on Thursdays and a monthly jazz night. A popular, friendly pub well worth discovering. Call 01732 842318.
St Crispin Inn, The Street, Worth, near Sandwich CT14 0DF.
Wood floors and exposed timbers keep the rural hideaway feel of this 15th century pub. Real ales are served from the four hand pumps and although it is a little out of the way, the beer garden is well worth it on a hot summer's day. Call 01304 612081.
The CAMRA Good Beer Guide 2012 is out now and costs £15.99. More information at www.camra.org.uk/shop