Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) The Friar's Ale

Tasting Summary

These comments are the opinion of the individual reviewer and represent what they thought of the beer on a particular day in a particular pub. If a review is less favourable, it may be because the beer suffered somewhere in the supply chain between them and the brewery.

The Door Hinge, Welling, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		11 Sep 2026	First out of a cask just put on. Really refreshing and head and lacing superb with it
Philip Pirrip		19 Nov 2022	First out of a new cask, a tad fresh
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	05 Jul 2019
Philip Pirrip		24 Apr 2015

The Three Pillars, Gravesend, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Hogan Sampling		29 Aug 2026	1st beer of this visit: Came with very good head and lasting lacing on this Kentish IPA from a brewery set up in 2010 in Chartham, southwest of Canterbury. A fresh, resinous first bite. An oily hoppiness rising with floral and fruited notes and a hint of berry, citrus and an earthy, honey-infused sweetness from its 100% locally sourced Kent hops. These are West Kent’s modern Jester hops and traditional East Kent Goldings lending earthy, honeyed flavours. A hint of sweet maltiness joining in from its local and international malted barley with hints of nuttiness and toffees. A very oily resinous hoppiness on its voyage downwards. Served in excellent nick and with great conditioning throughout.
Hogan Sampling	Not Tried	27 Jun 2026
Hogan Sampling	Not Tried	07 Mar 2026	Ran out during my visit.
Hogan Sampling		21 Dec 2024	Good head and lacing. A dry, fruity first hit. A pleasantly hoppy mouthfeel with a moreishly dry aftertaste.

The River Ale House, East Greenwich, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		27 Aug 2026	New cask on today and the better for it
Hogan Sampling		27 Aug 2026	Fresh on was this Kentish IPA from a brewery set up in 2010 in Chartham, southwest of Canterbury. Came with a very healthy head and lasting lacing. Very much a sharp hoppy first bite. An oily hoppiness rising to delight my taste buds. Berry, citrus and an earthy, honey-infused sweetness from its 100% locally sourced Kent hops, namely West Kent’s modern Jester hops and traditional East Kent Goldings lending earthy, honeyed flavours. Aided by its local and international malted barley, hints of nuttiness and toffees joining in. A moreishly resinous oily green floral hoppiness paddling out. Served in very good nick with great conditioning throughout.
Hogan Sampling	Not Tried	14 Aug 2026
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	13 Aug 2026
Hogan Sampling	Not Tried	13 Aug 2026
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	12 Aug 2026
Hogan Sampling		11 Aug 2026	This Kentish Session IPA, from brewing south-west of Canterbury near Chartham, was now witnessing its third day on and its head and lacing whilst not as prolific as the day before was still in evidence. A fruity hoppy first note. A hoppy oiliness rising from its East Kent Goldings hops behind its earthy, honey-infused sweetness, and Jester hops from West Kent behind an array of tropical fruit flavours. A toffee bitterness lingering from its malted barley and a combination of local and international malt. Slightly less conditioning than the day before but still hanging onto its head and lacing.
Philip Pirrip		10 Aug 2026	Holding up as yesterday's
Hogan Sampling		10 Aug 2026	1st beer of this visit: Second day on for this Kentish Session IPA, from brewing south-west of Canterbury near Chartham, and still exhibiting very good head and lacing. A fruity hopped first hit. An earthy, honey-infused sweetness from its East Kent Goldings hops, while its West Kent-sourced Jester coming up with berry flavours for me and an array of tropical fruit flavours. I welcomed its resinous oily hoppiness reminding me of the green hop season from September. A nuttiness rising from its malted barley. Its combination of local and international malts giving rise to its toffee infusions alongside a bitterness prevailing in its downwards passage. Again served in very good nick with lasting lacing and conditioning.
Philip Pirrip		09 Aug 2026	Fresh on tonight so zesty
Hogan Sampling		09 Aug 2026	2nd beer of this visit: Also fresh on and within five minutes of my arriving. Also, very good head and lacing on this Kentish Session IPA from south-west of Canterbury near Chartham. A hoppy fruited first hit aided by its East Kent Goldings hops lending an earthy, honey-like fruit sweetness, and Jester sourced from West Kent, adding modern, punchy tropical fruit and berry flavours for me. A resinous oily hoppiness prevailing with a honey flavouring mixed in. A hoppy fruitiness competing with its malty nuttiness and with the latter derived from its malted barley and local and international malts also aiding its toffee infusions. A lingering bitterness sliding out. Served in fine fettle with much lasting conditioning and very good head retention.
Hogan Sampling	Not Tried	22 Dec 2025
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	22 Dec 2025
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	21 Dec 2025
Hogan Sampling	Not Tried	21 Dec 2025
Hogan Sampling	Not Tried	20 Dec 2025
Hogan Sampling	Not Tried	19 Dec 2025
Hogan Sampling	Not Tried	26 Sep 2025
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	25 Sep 2025
Hogan Sampling	Not Tried	25 Sep 2025
Philip Pirrip		24 Sep 2025	Loss of condition since yesterday
Hogan Sampling		23 Sep 2025	Fresh on today was this IPA from south-west of Canterbury and just outside Chartham. Head and lacing, very good, and lasting, good. A very dry hoppy first bite. Its dry hoppiness rising from its West Kent hop, Jester, and East Kent Golding hop, lending it notes of honey and thyme. A mild fruitiness rising and a good dry spicy hoppiness sailing out.
Philip Pirrip		23 Sep 2025	Good condition on a boring golden ale
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	03 Jun 2025
Hogan Sampling	Not Tried	03 Jun 2025
Philip Pirrip		02 Jun 2025	Little life. A chore to down
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	07 Mar 2024
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	03 Mar 2024
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	07 Sep 2023
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	25 Jun 2023
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	26 Jan 2023
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	25 Jan 2023
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	24 Jan 2023
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	23 Jan 2023
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	22 Jan 2023
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	24 Jul 2022
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	06 Feb 2022
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	04 Feb 2022	Put on at session end
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	23 Jan 2022
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	11 Sep 2021
Philip Pirrip		10 Sep 2021	Fine form
Philip Pirrip		26 Jul 2021	Turned out to be last out of cask
Philip Pirrip		25 Jul 2021	Still excellent after several days on open stillage
Philip Pirrip		23 Jul 2021	4½* Every so often the planets align with a beer and did tonight with this new cask on today. One to happily drown in
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	16 Aug 2020
Philip Pirrip		15 Aug 2020	Nothing exciting in the taste
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	01 Dec 2019
Philip Pirrip		08 Aug 2019	I believe this is the best beer I have had at the River to date

The Monument, Canterbury, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Hogan Sampling		26 Jul 2025	Very good head and lacing and lasting to the very end on this Kentish session IPA. A fruit-infused hoppy first kick to it from its 100% Kent hops, Jester and East Kent Golding. A dry fruity hoppiness rising up and prevailing throughout. Not overly sweet with its honey-like fruitiness. Its hoppy bitter dryness winning over my taste buds. Very moreish!

The White Swan, Reading Street, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Hogan Sampling		21 Jun 2025	Very good head and lacing and lasting and so perhaps not from the same barrel as the week before. A fruity bitter first hit on this Kentish Session IPA, brewed south-west of Canterbury. A bitterness climbing up on the mouthfeel and a hoppy fruit-infusion joining in. A dry hoppiness from its Kent hops, Jester & East Kent Goldings, pervading in the finale.
Hogan Sampling		14 Jun 2025	Good head and lacing and lasting on this Kentish Session IPA, brewed south-west of Canterbury. A fruity hoppiness rising up and delighting the taste buds. A moreishly dry hoppy note or two tap dancing on my tongue and lingering, aided by its Kent hops, Jester & East Kent Goldings.

Bell & Crown, Canterbury, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William		04 Jun 2025	Dry, crisp ale with good body.
Magnus Greel		08 Nov 2023
Magnus Greel		12 Oct 2023	Delicious dark fruits and citrus nectar hence it earned my loyalty during our short stay.
Andrew	Not Tried	19 Nov 2022
Jack William		29 Oct 2022

Earl of Clarendon, Sandgate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Magnus Greel		06 Nov 2024	Nigh on perfect condition and a joy to drink.

The Tankerton Arms, Tankerton, Kent

Chickenstock, Sittingbourne, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William		03 Aug 2024	Good condition and flavour but a little hazy.

The Haywain, Bramling, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William	Not Tried	16 May 2024
Jack William		19 May 2023
Brian		23 May 2015	Badged as Friars IPA. Really good golden IPA. Good condition.

Carpenters Arms, Coldred, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William	Not Tried	24 Apr 2024
Jack William		28 Apr 2023
Jack William		11 Jan 2023
Jack William	Not Tried	28 Jun 2019

The Royal Oak, Blean, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew		09 Apr 2024	A good outting.

The Pub Herne Bay, Herne Bay, Kent

Furlongs Ale House, Faversham, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William		25 Oct 2023
Archie14		02 Feb 2020	Lovely no nonsense bitter

The Freed Man, Walmer, Kent

Kipps' Alehouse, Folkestone, Kent

Copper Pottle, Beltinge, Kent

The Ship Inn, Conyer, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William		17 Aug 2021	Superb and just £3.50 a pint.

Royal Oak, River, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William		05 Jul 2021	Very good nick, a half went down a treat in about a minute flat.

Three Chimneys, Biddenden, Kent

Ship Centurion, Whitstable, Kent

12 Degrees (a.k.a. RAMS Micropub 12 Degrees), Rochester, Kent

The Broken Drum, Blackfen, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		15 Jul 2019

Larkins' Alehouse, Cranbrook, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Wittenden		22 Dec 2018	Long fruity hoppy finish.

Ye Olde Thirsty Pig, Maidstone, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Tobes		11 Jul 2015

The Churchill Tavern, Ramsgate, Kent

The Bull Inn, Benenden, Kent

The Plough Inn, Stalisfield Green, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Wittenden		20 May 2015	Mid brown, tropical fruits.Hoppy finish.

The Man of Kent Ale House, Rochester, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		07 Apr 2015	Lovely traditional bitterness

The Bricklayer's Arms, Putney, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Stephen Harris		27 Sep 2012	Well-balanced IPA with both English and US hop character.

The Flower Pot, Maidstone, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Alenomore		25 Sep 2012	Very nice too.
Pedro	Not Tried	24 Sep 2012
Pedro		23 Sep 2012
Alenomore	Not Tried	21 Sep 2012
Pedro		21 Sep 2012

East Malling Beer & Cider Festivals 2012 and 2013, East Malling, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Alenomore		01 Sep 2012	A1.
Martin the Mildman		01 Sep 2012	Amber bitter with a strong hop bitterness. Little malt or citrus flavour. Dry, hoppy finish. My score 13/20.
oz11		01 Sep 2012

The Berry, Walmer, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Stephen Harris		11 Aug 2012	A pale beer with light, biscuit malt and a floral hop presence.

Leas Lift Beer Festival, Folkestone, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE	Not Tried	28 Jul 2012
Ian		27 Jul 2012	Yep a decent beer

The Black Robin, Kingston, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Mick		28 Jul 2012	A real IPA, a little biscuit, some spice and good hops. Nice finish.