Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') DogBolter Dark Porter

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.

Nelson Arms, Tonbridge, Kent

Sonder (formerly The Thirty-Nine Steps Brewhouse; The Thirty-Nine Steps Alehouse), Broadstairs, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Dosser		08 Jun 2024	Unfortunately this was the last one out. Started as a 3, ended as just acceptable. £4.50.
Dosser		02 May 2018	Only 2 beers on...4 others had run out that evening
Dosser		18 Jul 2017	Enjoyed it. Not many in today.

The Red Lion, Ramsgate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Dosser		04 Jun 2024	A cold pint. Fantastic flavours. Doesn't get better. Just that lynne wanted a real coffee..came in at £5.25 for both. It gets better. Long may it continue.
Dosser		04 Jun 2024	Fab. 5.25 with real coffee
Philip Pirrip		26 Apr 2024	4½* Penultimate pint out of the cask and really superb, bordering on a 5 mark. A mad snip at £3.75 pp
Dosser		27 Feb 2024	At £3.75 Mr pirrip would hate this but a superb pint!!..think I will have more before my fish and chips.
Dosser		13 Jan 2024	Superb
Dosser		20 Aug 2023	Superb condition and temperature on a warm day. Plus excellent value. No wonder this pubs so full.
Dosser		20 Jul 2023	Quality porter at a quality price. Must be the best value around here. If you don't buy it with a coke. Lol.
Dosser		08 Jan 2023	Superb pint and at £3.75 the cheapest dog around here. Many hells angels enjoying the dog this afternoon. And the music.
Dosser		18 Nov 2022	Quality dog and at £3.80 great value.
Dosser		13 Jan 2022	This had just gone on. Excellent and £3.60
Dosser		23 Feb 2020	In good nick but a tad too cold today.
Dosser		24 Nov 2019	Superb
Dosser		14 Apr 2019	Quality beer
Dosser		17 Feb 2019	Top ale
Dosser		25 Jan 2019	£3.55 for a superb pint.
beery steve		17 Dec 2018
Dosser		23 Nov 2018	This beer seems to be everywhere. Another quality pint.
Dosser		21 Nov 2018	Top beer
Dosser		14 Apr 2018	Great pint
Dosser		25 Feb 2018	Quality pint
Dosser		24 Nov 2017	Superb
Dosser		19 Oct 2017	Fine pint but not sure why the beer is served in a cold glass. Not necessary.

The Haywain, Bramling, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William		18 May 2024	It may have been the music, but this was just perfect, had to have a second half. Bargain at £4.20 a pint.
Jack William	Not Tried	16 May 2024
Brian	Not Tried	23 May 2015
Andrew	Not Tried	27 Sep 2008
Brian	Not Tried	30 Sep 2006	Listed as Gadd's faithful dogbolter, but I assumed that it was the same as the winter porter.

The Butchers Arms, Herne, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William		15 May 2024	So yummy
ChrisE		18 Aug 2010
Ian	Not Tried	17 Aug 2010

The River Ale House, East Greenwich, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		28 Apr 2024	Good condition but not a patch on the 4½* version in Ramsgate last Friday
Philip Pirrip		27 Mar 2024	Holding up very well after a few days on
Philip Pirrip		24 Mar 2024	A powerful full flavoured dark one
Philip Pirrip		28 Jan 2024	A heavy brew, bordering on a mark of 4
Philip Pirrip		28 Sep 2023	Much improved since yesterday's first pours, with more condition
Philip Pirrip		27 Sep 2023	New cask, first pints out. Felt rather flat and a bit of a chore to drink. Disappointed, will condition better later he says hopefully
Philip Pirrip		12 Dec 2022	Some loss of edge since yesterday but still good enough for two pints
Philip Pirrip		11 Dec 2022	Waited for every year and never disappoints

The Conqueror Alehouse, Ramsgate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Dosser		15 Apr 2024	Quality porter
Dosser		29 Jan 2020	Lovely pint
Dosser		10 Jan 2020	A good pint
Dosser		24 Mar 2019
Philip Pirrip		11 Apr 2018
Dosser		02 Aug 2017	Superb
Dosser		26 Apr 2017	Outstanding
Dosser		08 Apr 2017	Fine pint
Dosser		21 Feb 2017	Doesnt get any better.
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	01 Aug 2014

The Hovelling Boat Inn, Ramsgate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Dosser		09 Apr 2024	Superb condition.
Dosser		26 Mar 2024
Philip Pirrip		13 Feb 2024	A fine porter
Dosser		31 Dec 2023	£4.40 for a good strong un here.
Dosser		12 Jul 2023	Lacking condition but still acceptable.£4.20.
Dosser		30 Oct 2022	Nice pint. £4 for all beers over 5%
Dosser		31 Jan 2022	Fine pint and at £4.
Dosser		13 Jan 2022	This has just gone on. Superb drop. £4 here.
Dosser		23 Dec 2021	Quality ale
Dosser		10 Jan 2020	20p a pint more than the conk and didnt taste as sweet.
Dosser		25 Jan 2019	Last couple of pints in cask. Price up to £3.70.
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	29 Dec 2018	The beer, I suspect, I should have plumped for
Dosser		23 Nov 2018	Yummy
Dosser		13 Jul 2018	Fine pint for my first one after my holiday. AOT now out and about after my deliveries.
Dosser		26 Apr 2018	A fine pint
Philip Pirrip		31 Mar 2018	Best beer of the evening, a superb Gadds' concoction
Andrew	Not Tried	10 Feb 2018
Dosser		21 Nov 2017	Nice pint.
Dosser		02 Aug 2017	Nice pint
Philip Pirrip		01 Apr 2017	Second superb Gadd's of the day
Dosser		17 Oct 2015
Dosser		27 Jun 2015	Lovely pint

The Hoptimist Taproom & Bar, Dover, Kent

Artillery Arms, Ramsgate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Dosser		11 Jan 2024	Quality ale for stag parties
Dosser		07 Jan 2024	Amazing
Dosser		25 Dec 2023
Dosser		24 Dec 2023	Outstanding stout
Dosser		14 Aug 2023	Very nice
Dosser		19 Jul 2023	Went down well.
Dosser		16 Jul 2023	Nice. £4,30.
Dosser		13 Jul 2023	In top condition.
Dosser		15 Nov 2022
Dosser		30 Oct 2022
Dosser		01 Feb 2022	Great pint
Dosser		25 Feb 2020	Nice pint
Dosser		23 Feb 2020	Better temperature than the Lion today.
Dosser		14 Jan 2020	Just what I needed
Dosser		02 Jan 2020	Nice
Dosser		24 Nov 2019	A quality pint
Dosser		23 Nov 2019	Lovely
Dosser		18 Nov 2019	Superb
Andrew	Not Tried	09 Feb 2019
Dosser		01 Jan 2019	Quality. Fresh on.
Philip Pirrip		29 Dec 2018	Not as fresh and clean tasting as it can be
Dosser		26 Dec 2018
Dosser		23 Nov 2018
Dosser		21 Nov 2018	Best pint ive had here in ages. Good value at £3.40.
Dosser		08 Apr 2017	Near the bottom of the cask
Dosser		06 Apr 2017	Excellent pint though Tracy did say there wasn't much left after curry night. £3.40 A pint is good value.
Dosser		05 Mar 2017	Needed a top up but great condition.
Dosser		03 Mar 2017	Lovely
Dosser		21 Feb 2017	Had it in the conk, but not as good but still a good ale.
Blair		20 Apr 2011	Top notch.
Blair		24 Oct 2009	My first pint of dog in motnhs, it's been far too long. Lovely rich porter, lots of roasted malt and dark fruit with a lovely tartness.
Blair	Not Tried	01 Apr 2009
Blair		03 Feb 2009	Very nearly 5 stars for this one. Rich, dark and chocolatey. Silky smooth with a nice underlying coffee/smoke taste to it. This is getting better and better, much like all of Eddie's beers.
Andrew		08 Feb 2007	I had this for the first time really 5 days ago at the Dover Beer Festival and this just goes to show you can't define a pint of real ale by trying it once. This was a totally different pint. Imagine drinking alcoholic raisens with the sugar taken out, combined with burnt parsnip and with a rich dark dry sherry bitter finish. It was nothing like the Dover beer. I must have more before I make my mind up about it.

The Real Ale Way, West Wickham, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		14 Jul 2023	A nourishing pint in excellent condition

Montefiore Arms, Ramsgate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Dosser		17 Feb 2023	A good pint with a big head. At £4.40 the most expensive dog in the pubs I drink in locally.
Dosser		26 Jan 2020	A nice pint
Dosser		06 Nov 2015	Wow. Only been on one hour and 25 pints gone already.
Dosser		31 Oct 2015	Best beer of the day!
Dosser		11 Oct 2015	Superb
Blair	Not Tried	03 Mar 2012
Blair		13 Feb 2011	Rich, smooth and delicious.
Blair		24 Feb 2008	Outstanding porter, rich and dark with a smooth velvety texture. Delicious as always.

Mind the Gap, Broadstairs, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Dosser		17 Feb 2022
Dosser		03 Feb 2022	Lovely stuff
Dosser		10 Apr 2019	Great nick and temperature
Dosser		29 Jan 2019	Not on top form
Dosser		23 Jan 2019	Good quality and temperature.
Philip Pirrip		17 May 2018
Dosser		08 May 2018	A good pint to quench my thirst in the heat
Dosser		02 May 2018	Superb quality
Dosser		10 Apr 2018	Fine pint. Good temperature.
Dosser		07 Mar 2018	Fine beer and temperature. No dogs today. Very unusual.Spotted this beer was on on their facebook page.
Dosser		23 Feb 2018	Excellent condition and temperature
Dosser		23 Oct 2017	Good temperature but cost up by 20% to £3.50 for 4.9% plus
Dosser		29 Jan 2017	Nice but too cold for my liking.

Yard of Ale, St Peter's, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Dosser		03 Feb 2022	This seems to be everywhere at the moment and this was a fine pint.
Andrew	Not Tried	09 Feb 2019
Andrew	Not Tried	29 Dec 2018
Dosser		23 Oct 2017
Dosser		07 Jan 2016	Had a 4 pint take away of this. £10, great value.
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	21 Oct 2015
Dosser		27 May 2015	Superb
Dosser		25 May 2015	Superb and great value at £3.

White Cliffs Beer Festival 2020, Dover, Kent

Gadds' Beer Shop & Taproom, Broadstairs, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Dosser		04 Jan 2020	£3.16 a pint with the 10% camra discount.

The Ale House, Chelmsford, Essex

The Black Dog, Whitstable, Kent

This Ancient Boro', Tenterden, Kent

White Cliffs Beer Festival 2019, Dover, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		01 Feb 2019

The Mash Tun, Dover, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		12 Jan 2019	Perfect temperature and easy smooth drinking
ChrisE	Not Tried	22 Jan 2016

Larkins' Alehouse, Cranbrook, Kent

Leyton Orient Supporters Club, Leyton, Greater London

The Compass Alehouse, Gravesend, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		05 Apr 2018
Philip Pirrip		07 Dec 2017
Philip Pirrip		08 Apr 2017	Superb

White Cliffs Beer Festival 2018, Dover, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William		02 Feb 2018
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	02 Feb 2018

Bowl Inn, Charing, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William		04 Dec 2017	Smooth and tasty, perfect for December.
Jack William		13 Aug 2017	A rich, smooth porter.
Alenomore	Not Tried	18 Jul 2010

The Three Pillars, Gravesend, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		24 Nov 2017

Craft Beer Co., Clerkenwell, Central London

Craft Beer Co., Limehouse, Greater London

The Broken Drum, Blackfen, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		13 Apr 2017	Still good yet nearly last out of cask

The Evening Star, Brighton, East Sussex

White Cliffs Beer Festival 2017, Dover, Kent

The Harp, Charing Cross, Central London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		28 Jan 2017	Good one to finish the evening on

The Bedford, Tunbridge Wells, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		31 Oct 2016
Alenomore		22 Oct 2011	Good to see this and served in top condition here.

The Mechanical Elephant, Margate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Dosser		07 Feb 2016	As good as you will find in the monty
Blair		19 Jun 2009	In great condition. Rich and chocolatey with lots of fruit. One of the better porters.

The Watch House, Lewisham, Greater London

The Chapel, Broadstairs, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Dosser		22 May 2015	Little warm

Eats 'n' Beats Bar & Kitchen (formerly Ravensgate Arms), Ramsgate, Kent

The Chambers, Folkestone, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	21 Mar 2015
ChrisE	Not Tried	06 Sep 2011
Ian		08 Jul 2010	New brew kit but still a stunning beer. The fruit flavours and malts are outstanding
Ian	Not Tried	17 Jun 2010	If I'd had another 10 mins I would have had a pint of this.
Alenomore		03 Apr 2010	In top conditon. A proper ale, a truly unmolested classic.
Ian		01 Apr 2010	No, other word for it, excellent.
Ian		24 Sep 2009	Great that you can guarantee that Dogbolter is always on at a pub. Malty, bit more fruity, with good sour cherry and dark plum
Ian	Not Tried	18 Sep 2009
Ian		23 Jun 2009	Great condition, great malts, great fruit, great beer full stop
Ian		16 Jun 2009	I haven't had this in a bit, but this was as good as ever. Lovely mix of malts and then this great soft dark fruit flavour leading to a dryish malt finish. Excellent
Ian		24 Feb 2009	Again in perfect nick, great dark malts, lovely rich dark fruits, slipped down nicely.
Ian		22 Jan 2009	Rounded dark fruits, bitter, sweet, malty, hoppy, Eddie's best beer. I mean it's just damn good. Drinkable, yet 5.6%. Not many pubs run with two 5% plus beers, but this one does.
Ian	Not Tried	09 Jan 2009
Ian	Not Tried	29 Dec 2008
Ian		14 Oct 2008	Just a little flat in condition, but still extremely tasty. Good dark fruit
Ian		20 Sep 2008	One of the best beers brewed in the county.
Ian		05 Jun 2008	Lots of flavour, good fruit, bit of sourness, but just lacked a bit of condition. The lines were cleaned soon after I had my pint.
Ian		15 Aug 2007	This was chocolatey and stunning.
Ian		13 Jun 2007	I'm guessing this was a barrel from the winter that has been left to mature. Smooth. Good roasted grains with a hint of dark fruits and a finish that grows and grows. Hop and blackberry. Gorgeous. Choc, black cherry aroma is great. Full in mouth.
Ian		17 Nov 2006	Brown/ruby colour with lasting beige head. Smelt and tasted fresh. Dark fruits, dark plums, sweet damsons and then choc, milk choc, slight powder that then slides into the dryness of the hop finish. Great balanced porter. Juice and liquorice are just right, the rich fruit is just right and the dryness. Great English porter. Really tasty and full of flavour.
Andrew	Not Tried	04 Feb 2006
Ian		12 Jan 2006	Dark brown with disappearing beige head. Not as fruity as last Friday. More bitter choc/coffee and bit thinner in body. Still a nice porter though
Ian		06 Jan 2006	Ok so I had 10 minutes before my train so I could only have a very fast half, but this was good. Deep ruby colour with thin beige head. Really pretty fruity with some coffee and bit of choc. Hoppy drying finish. Exceptional dark fruit nose. Vinous in mouth with good warming alcohol. My friend Martin went back the following day and confirmed that it was indeed a cracking porter.

The Lanes, Dover, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William		07 Jan 2015	Wonderful rich flavour - head disappeared a little quickly, but very nice.

The Man of Kent Ale House, Rochester, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Dosser		16 Nov 2014
Stephen Harris	Not Tried	15 Nov 2014
Philip Pirrip		03 Sep 2014
Blair		05 Dec 2009	Rich and fruity with a nice hit of chocolate.
Blair		12 Nov 2009	Only had time for a half unfortunately. This was stunning though, so rich and fruity it's impossibly to put it down.
Blair		11 Dec 2008	Very rich with lots of fruit and chocolate and a nice tartness. Great beer.

The Goose (formerly The Sovereign), Ramsgate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Dosser		04 Sep 2014	Superb

Catford Constitutional Club, Catford, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		08 Jun 2014

One Inn The Wood, Petts Wood, Greater London

The Firkin Alehouse, Folkestone, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Brian	Not Tried	26 Feb 2014
Ian		22 Feb 2014	Dark fruits plums damson but juicy some chocolate. Just awesome

The Rose of England, Ramsgate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE		22 Jan 2014
Andrew	Not Tried	28 Dec 2012
Ian		28 Dec 2012	Deep flawless malts excellent condition bite of blackcurrant on the finish. Best beer all night by far
Blair	Not Tried	28 Nov 2012
ChrisE		13 Oct 2012	In superb condition.
Blair		13 Oct 2012	Lovely pint but did have to sink it a bit quick.
ChrisE	Not Tried	23 Aug 2012
Blair		18 Apr 2012	Excellent as ever, so good it seemed rude not to have another.
Blair		10 Mar 2012	Yup, top dog.
Blair		16 Feb 2012	Once again a perfect pint of dogbolter.
Blair		10 Feb 2012	Top notch.
Blair		20 Jan 2012	Didn't seem as thick and black as usual but it still tasted fantastic.
Blair		06 Jan 2012	Perfect pint of dogbolter.
ChrisE	Not Tried	12 Oct 2011
ChrisE		30 Sep 2011

The Hope, Carshalton, Greater London

The Phoenix, Canterbury, Kent

Harbour Arms, Margate, Kent

The Padwell Arms, Seal, Kent

Claret & Ale (formerly Claret Free House), Addiscombe, Greater London

The Alehouse (formerly Hobgoblin), Reading, Berkshire

Halfway House, Brenchley, Kent

The Four Candles Alehouse, St Peter's, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Blair		24 Aug 2012	Yup, tip top.

Euston Tap, Euston, Central London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Dosser		20 May 2012

The Just Reproach, Deal, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Mick		16 Mar 2012	Nice porter, chocolate, toast and malt, good hops, perhaps it needs a touch more body?

The Lifeboat Ale & Cider House, Margate, Kent

The Elephant, Faversham, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Pedro	Not Tried	04 Sep 2011
Angie		05 Jul 2010	Cold, but on a hot day welcome. Great taste but a little strong for this lady

Broadstairs Beer Festival 2011, Broadstairs, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Blair		25 Mar 2011	Ever reliable strong porter. Rich and satisfying with lots of roasted malt, chocolate and a great mouthfeel.

The Flower Pot, Maidstone, Kent

Louis Armstrong, Dover, Kent

The Bull, Horton Kirby, Kent

The Churchill Tavern, Ramsgate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Blair		31 Oct 2009	This was on absolute top form today. Incredibly rich and moreish, chocolate and dates dominate with a lovely tartness. When at it's best I think this beer is nigh unbeatable.
Blair	Not Tried	11 Mar 2009
Blair		08 Mar 2009	I had the first pint out of the barrel. It was gorgeous, thick and rich. Like christmas cake in a glass.
Blair	Not Tried	21 May 2008

White Cliffs Beer Festival 2009, Dover, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Ian		07 Feb 2009	Excellent really, after a couple of poor beers, this was great. I bought it and drank it walking down the hall to the glass return desk. Great dark fruit. Damson, dark plum. Good condition. Lovely.

Ramsgate Summer Festival 2008, Ramsgate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Blair		05 Jul 2008	Absolutely lovely pint. Thick and creamy with a lovely chocolate and roasted malt flavour.

San Clu Hotel, Ramsgate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Blair		13 Feb 2008	I wasn't expecting a pint this good in a hotel. Smooth, velvety with chocolate and liquorice. Branded glass as well...

The Foy Boat, Ramsgate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew		15 Feb 2007	A good pint of Dogbolter. Dark with hints of plum skin.

Jackdaw Inn, Denton, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew		13 Feb 2007	What an excellent pint this was - so good I stuck with it all night. It had a good wood-resin and black malt taste with hints of dark fruit. There was a milky undertone that carried the black malt really well. However, the £3.20 a pint price tag was a bit steep

White Cliffs Beer Festival 2007, Dover, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew		02 Feb 2007	Sour with a good alcohol richness. The water tastes soft and fen-like.

The Yew Tree Inn, Barfrestone, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Brian		14 Dec 2005	I'm really not a Gadds fan. Astringent with only slight hop flavour.
Andrew		28 Nov 2004	All I could really taste was the alcohol. No real body.

Coastguard, St Margaret's at Cliffe, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew		01 Jan 2005	Strong tasting dark porter but I only had a sip so it's hard to give a fair rating