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The Firkin Alehouse (Free House)

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Beer (sort)Average Score (sort)No. Samples (sort)
Stewart - Session PorterExcellent1
Holler (formerly Holler Boys) - LootExcellent1
Kent - MosaicExcellent1
Iron Pier - Bullion IPAExcellent1
Kent - PaleExcellent1
Kent - Session PaleGood1
Kent - Breakfast Oatmeal StoutGood1
Ilkley - Joshua JaneGood1
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - SeasiderGood1
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 3Good1
Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Tropical SwanGood1
Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - AM:PMGood1
Alchemy - Tropic ShakeGood1
Iron Pier - Session IPAGood1
Oakham - Darker DaysGood1
Bristol Beer Factory - Long Summer DaysGood1
Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - EtherowAcceptable1
Kent - CobnutAcceptable1
Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - AstrydAcceptable1
Kirkstall - Kirkstall Pale AleNot Tried0
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - WheelieNot Tried0
Iron Pier - Cast Iron StoutNot Tried0
Ilkley - Ruby JaneNot Tried0
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Rye Pale AleNot Tried0
Iron Pier - BitterNot Tried0
Iron Pier - Krpan & Lemondrop Joined at the HopNot Tried0
Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Brother RabbitNot Tried0
Oakham - CitraNot Tried0
Wiper and True - Milkshake StoutNot Tried0
Picture 1. The Firkin Alehouse, Folkestone, Kent
Picture 2. The Firkin Alehouse, Folkestone, Kent
Picture 3. The Firkin Alehouse, Folkestone, Kent
Michael Croxford. Photos are of the original site, not the later one or one after the second move.

Visits Details

29 Feb 2020 (Magnus Greel)
Final venue for today's tour, standing room only at first until the crowds dissipated thus we purloined tables as and when became available.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Iron Pier - Session IPA4.20GoodBalanced aroma and flavour with a clean finish
Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Brother Rabbit4.00Not Tried
Oakham - Citra4.20Not Tried
Wiper and True - Milkshake Stout4.50Not Tried
13 Feb 2020 (Jack William)
Early doors - nicely busy. Toasted sarnies for lunch cheerfully delivered by the nearby sandwich shop.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Stewart - Session Porter4.20ExcellentVery good, rich chocolatey porter.
Iron Pier - Bullion IPA5.00ExcellentVery nice, dry IPA.
Kent - Session Pale3.70GoodConsistent high quality.
07 Dec 2019 (Archie14)
Quite but definitely the best pub on our visit.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Kent - Pale4.00ExcellentDelicious floral notes for this classic pale.
Iron Pier - Bitter4.00Not Tried
Iron Pier - Krpan & Lemondrop Joined at the Hop3.80Not Tried
31 Oct 2019 (ChrisE)
Afternoon visit and just two other customers in.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Oakham - Darker Days4.80GoodNice to see a dark beer from Oakham.
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Rye Pale Ale4.00Not Tried
30 Jul 2019 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening visit until 9pm close. A dramatically different place to its previous incarnation and if I can put my finger on it I think it is because the Guv no longer circulates with at seat service but is ensconced behind a bar counter. Desperately needs some sound baffling provision as it is as echoey as a railway waiting room.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 35.00Good
Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Tropical Swan3.50GoodNot as citrussy as I feared, very refreshing actually
Ilkley - Ruby Jane4.00Not Tried
10 Jun 2019 (Dosser)
First visit. 3 ales on.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Kent - Breakfast Oatmeal Stout4.20GoodInteresting flavours, but not my type of beer.
09 May 2019 (Jack William)
Lunchtime - bit disappointed that all 3 ales were from the same brewer. Despite this our group decided to stay for a session.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - AM:PM4.50GoodA fruity bitter in sparkling condition.
Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Etherow4.40AcceptableRather ordinary.
Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Astryd3.80AcceptableThin and rather cloudy.
10 Sep 2018 (Jack William)
Stop 3, mid afternoon - a few in. We sat in the window seat and watched the world go by.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Holler (formerly Holler Boys) - Loot5.50ExcellentUnfined and very cloudy (I need to get over my prejudice of cloudy beers) - superb grapefruit flavour. Very nice.
Ilkley - Joshua Jane3.70Good Rather bland but good condition.
Iron Pier - Cast Iron Stout4.70Not Tried
10 Aug 2018 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening visit until 10pm close. First time in the new premises (next door to the old) and it didn't work for me as well. The Guv is behind a bar counter whereas before he was always out in the middle, this and the different seating layout takes away some of the ambience.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Bristol Beer Factory - Long Summer Days5.60GoodGood strong taste but soon last condition and mouthfeel
Kent - Cobnut4.10AcceptableToo chilled and lacking condition or head
Kirkstall - Kirkstall Pale Ale4.00Not Tried
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Wheelie4.00Not Tried
12 Jul 2018 (Jack William)
Lunchtime visit - the new premises are a little larger. Nice welcome for our group of 7 - we tried all 3 beers on offer and had some rather good baqueittes from the Sandwich Shop next door but one.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Kent - Mosaic4.50ExcellentDelicious.
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Seasider4.30Good
Alchemy - Tropic Shake4.00GoodBilled as a “ mango milkshake” which was rather offputting. A pleasant fruity flavour.

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About The Firkin Alehouse

The pub sign. The Firkin Alehouse, Folkestone, Kent

Summary of Beer Scores

 Total
Exceptional26
Excellent77
Good64
Acceptable41
Poor2

Website.

The pub is found in Folkestone, Kent, CT20 2AY.

Micropub close to Folkestone bus station which opened in November 2012, no music or slot machines and the use of mobile phones is banned with a fine imposed for disturbing the peace. Same level gravity stillage for real ales and ciders from a separate temperature controlled cellar room. Usually at seat service. In its original location had an impressive pumpclip display of beers sold to date in the unisex toilet all laid out by brewery! Ashford, Folkestone & Romney Marsh CAMRA Branch Pub of the Year 2014. Moved overnight 24/25 September 2017 from 18 to 20 Cheriton Place into new premises and now with a bar counter to obtain service. Moved a second time to No 21 other side of street in December 2022 now with high stools and tables at front and lower sofas and seating in a snug area towards the rear.

We have visited this pub 111 times, seen 232 different beers and tried 156 of them.

Map location

Postcode: CT20 2AY