Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') Black Pearl Oyster Stout

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 Hovelling Boat Inn, Ramsgate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Dosser		19 Nov 2024	Not as good as magnus had yesterday but still a fine pint of stout.
Magnus Greel		18 Nov 2024	Rich oaty hints with subtle chocolate and coffee for this silky smooth creamy nectar perfection which satisfyingly clung to one's palate and oesophagus on its way down!
Dosser	Not Tried	15 Nov 2024	£4.40, so more than lion but didn't try. Bit too much for a Friday pm. More pubs to try.
Dosser		02 Nov 2024	A bit fresh on. £4.50.
Hogan Sampling	Not Tried	26 Oct 2024
Dosser		26 Sep 2024	Fresh on and superb. Smooth finish at £4.60. Different price every time he puts this on. I think he looks at what he thinks the customers can afford that day. Will be giving it away when the winter fuel allowance is cancelled. Lol.
Philip Pirrip		24 Aug 2024	4½* New cask on served in a dimple jug in superb condition. Too many of these would have curtailed the session length in town!
Dosser		03 Nov 2023	2 pints here at £4.20 a pint. No beers I fancied in lion unfortunately. Lovely pearl.
Dosser		28 Feb 2023	Lovely pint at £4.20.
Dosser		25 Sep 2022	4.20 a pint. Copied Artillery.
Dosser		26 Aug 2021
Dosser		20 May 2021	Quality
Dosser		07 Mar 2020	In great nick tonight
Dosser		25 Feb 2020	Not much left in this cask
Jack William	Not Tried	23 Jan 2020	Superb according to my chum - and just £3.60 a pint.
Dosser		18 Nov 2019	Nice but not as good as it can be
Dosser		17 Jul 2019	Superb pint
Dosser		12 Jul 2019	Superb quality and temperature
Dosser		15 Jul 2018	Superb
beery steve		08 Jan 2018
Dosser		07 Nov 2017	Outstanding
ChrisE		06 Nov 2017	Delicious
Dosser		14 Jun 2017	Quality
Dosser		17 Apr 2017	Quality
Dosser		18 Feb 2017	Outstanding
Dosser		04 Jan 2017	Not as fan as normal
Dosser		10 Jul 2016	Outstanding
Dosser		12 Jul 2015	Amazing. By far the best beer tried this weekend

The Red Lion, Ramsgate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Dosser		15 Nov 2024	A fine pint but could it be on the way out???
Philip Pirrip		24 Aug 2024	4½* Much smoother than the Hovelling Boat fresh cask earlier
Dosser		20 Dec 2023	Just superb. First pint out. And only £3.75. Miles cheaper than the competition. Boss told me the company told him to keep the prices low. My sort of company.
Dosser		12 Sep 2023	It really doesn't get better than this. Had to have a second pint to check just how good this is.
Dosser		01 Mar 2023	Amazing pint and just £3.70.
Dosser		30 Oct 2022	At £3.75 a pint this was excellent value these days.
Dosser	Not Tried	13 Sep 2021	This beer was off and was changed without fuss. There must have been at least 15 pints left in the cask.
Dosser		17 May 2021	6.2 months ago mel told me there were 2 untapped black pearl in the cellar. Was this one of them? Superb. Nice to have room temp beer again.
Dosser		02 Nov 2020	Superb
Dosser		07 Mar 2020	Very nice though a little colder than usual.

Artillery Arms, Ramsgate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Dosser		10 Nov 2024	Fresh on and superb. £4.50.
Dosser		28 Feb 2024	Outstanding stout
Philip Pirrip		13 Feb 2024	Pity it had to be rushed
Dosser		04 Nov 2023	Top stout
Dosser		10 Mar 2023	Superb stout
Dosser		01 Mar 2023	Lovely pint at £4.20.
Dosser		26 Sep 2022	Quality pint
Dosser		23 Sep 2022	This pint was outstanding. Up to £4.20 now.
Dosser		13 Jan 2022	Doesnt get any better and £3.70 a pint.
ChrisE	Not Tried	04 Jan 2022
Dosser		01 Jan 2022	Excellent pint at £3.80.
Dosser		23 Dec 2021
Dosser		19 Dec 2021	Quality ale and at £3.80 excellent value
Jack William	Not Tried	22 Sep 2021
Dosser		22 Sep 2021	Superb
Dosser		13 Sep 2021
Andrew	Not Tried	29 Aug 2021
Dosser		26 Aug 2021
Dosser		22 Aug 2021	Fab and £3.80.
Dosser		04 Nov 2020	Lovely pint
Dosser		14 Mar 2020	Another quality beer
Dosser		06 Mar 2020	A tad warm
Dosser		14 Feb 2020	Superb
Dosser		10 Jan 2020	Quality
Dosser		31 Dec 2019	Good pint but could do with being a tad colder
Dosser		22 Sep 2019	In great shape
Dosser		23 Aug 2019	Superb quality. They've got a few casks in the cellar. Great!
Dosser		21 Aug 2019	Great pint and correct temp.
Dosser		09 Aug 2019	A tad warm
Dosser		01 Aug 2019	Could do with being a tad cooler.
Dosser		19 Jul 2019
Dosser		08 Jun 2019	Too warm and it tasted as if it was on its way out.
Dosser		05 Apr 2019	Mmmnnnn
Dosser		04 Apr 2019	Beautiful pint
Dosser		24 Mar 2019	Superb condition.
Dosser		17 Feb 2019	Quality
Dosser		20 Dec 2018	Great pint
Dosser		14 Dec 2018
ChrisE		25 Aug 2018	A superb beer with which to finish the evening. Delicious dark ale.
Pedro		04 Aug 2012
Blair	Not Tried	08 Jun 2011
ChrisE		07 Jun 2011	Wow, this was fantastic.
Blair		06 Jun 2011	Very rich, very black and very heavy. Lovely stout but I couldn't have a second.

The Royston, Broadstairs, Kent

Gadds' Beer Shop & Taproom, Broadstairs, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Dosser		03 Aug 2024	Lovely nitro keg.. on a hot day.
Dosser		16 Sep 2023	Quality nitro keg. New green hop put out under similar dispence. Cooler beer.
Dosser		29 Jul 2023	This was on nitro keg. Very cool so stuck with this.
Dosser		20 Mar 2020	Too cold for a higher score.
Dosser		09 Nov 2019	This was on KeyKeg.

Montefiore Arms, Ramsgate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Dosser	Not Tried	17 Nov 2023	At £5.20 a pint this beer is a quid more than other pubs in Ramsgate.
Andrew	Not Tried	16 Sep 2023
Dosser	Not Tried	01 Jan 2022	£4.50 a pint
Dosser		07 Jun 2018	Again the nitro version but lovely and at £3.60 another bargain when compared to the bottle shop.
Dosser		23 Oct 2017	Tried the key keg version
Dosser		16 Jun 2017	The key keg version
Dosser		08 Jun 2017	Drank the key keg version. At £3.60 excellent value.
Dosser		10 Jul 2016	Drank the key keg version
Dosser		01 Jan 2016	Great as usual. Previous beer was Gadds of course!
Dosser		29 Nov 2015	It doesnt come any better than this. To have the genius who brews this serve you only adds to the enjoyment.
Dosser		20 Jul 2015	This was why I kept coming back. Just magnificent.
Dosser		14 Jun 2015	Just amazing. Excellent value as well
Ian	Not Tried	13 Jun 2015
Ian	Not Tried	07 Mar 2015	On keg

The River Ale House, East Greenwich, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	26 Oct 2023	Must be fatigued by now
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	25 Oct 2023	Must be tiring now
Philip Pirrip		22 Oct 2023	In fine form but have had better
Philip Pirrip		08 Mar 2023	Holding up superbly after a few days
Philip Pirrip		07 Mar 2023	Gorgeous nourishing black stout
Philip Pirrip		06 Mar 2023	4½* Fresh on and superb nick
Philip Pirrip		18 Sep 2022
Philip Pirrip		18 Dec 2018
Philip Pirrip		16 Dec 2018	Superb head, condition and strength hit

Furlongs Ale House, Faversham, Kent

Little Swift (formerly The Night Swift, The Bottle Shop), Margate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Magnus Greel		09 Jun 2023	Not as effervescent as I was expecting for this rich dark chocolate coffee and nuts treat..
Dosser		07 Jun 2018	£4.50 a pint but it went down well

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

Who	Score	When	Notes
Dosser		26 Feb 2023	A very nice drop of stout.

The New Inn, Canterbury, Kent

The Hoptimist Taproom & Bar, Dover, Kent

The Unicorn, Canterbury, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Magnus Greel		25 Nov 2021	Smooth creamy nectar with roasted coffee bean on the palate.

The Cockpit, Chislehurst, Greater London

The Boating Pool (formerly Ravensgate Arms By The Sea), Ramsgate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Dosser		18 Apr 2021	Nice even in a solid plastic glass. £3.50 for a very full measure.

The Butchers Arms, Herne, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE	Not Tried	23 Feb 2020
Philip Pirrip		13 Feb 2020	Glorious, albeit I was rather rushed to finish it

Mind the Gap, Broadstairs, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Dosser		31 Jan 2020	Superb
Dosser		17 Sep 2019	New entry to gbg. Good pint that needed a top up.
Magnus Greel	Not Tried	09 Aug 2019
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	03 Aug 2019
Dosser		17 Jul 2019	Superb quality just at the right temperature.
Dosser		13 Aug 2018	Excellent pearl but doesn't taste the same in plastic.
Philip Pirrip		28 Jul 2018	Full bodied, really too good to start a session on!
Philip Pirrip		17 Feb 2018
Dosser		06 May 2017	Again missing a 5* coz its too cold.
Dosser		02 May 2017	Would have been 5* if it hadnt been so cold.
Dosser		11 Feb 2017	Great value at £3
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	22 Jul 2016	Ran out
ChrisE		19 Jul 2016
Dosser		19 Jul 2016	Lovely cool pint, just right for such a warm day.

The Conqueror Alehouse, Ramsgate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		04 Jan 2020	Slow drinking, perhaps the wrong choice for first of the evening but enjoyed nevertheless
Dosser		25 Feb 2018	Good pint. Ran out
Philip Pirrip		01 Apr 2017	Third superb Gadds' beer of the evening. Fast becoming the best brewer in Kent
Dosser		17 Feb 2017	Superb
Dosser		14 Feb 2016	Wonderful, even the last one out..

Larkins' Alehouse, Cranbrook, Kent

The Black Dog, Whitstable, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Wittenden		10 Aug 2019	Inspirational,good for body and soul.Apricots.

This Ancient Boro', Tenterden, Kent

Planet Thanet Easter Beer Festivals 2019 & 2022, Margate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Dosser		20 Apr 2019

Donna's Ale House, Sittingbourne, Kent

White Cliffs Beer Festival 2019, Dover, Kent

The Tap Room, Cliftonville, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		07 Apr 2018	KeyKeg dispense, Gadds' quality came through. On this cooled dispense came through rather like a Draught Guinness

The Lanes, Dover, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William		14 Dec 2017	Opulent indeed.
Philip Pirrip		09 Jun 2017
ChrisE		09 Jun 2017	Superb dark ale.
Philip Pirrip		17 Dec 2016	4½* and nourishing

The Man of Kent Ale House, Rochester, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE		01 Nov 2017

Yard of Ale, St Peter's, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Dosser		06 Jun 2017	Took 4 pints home.
Andrew	Not Tried	03 Jun 2017
Dosser		29 Jul 2016	Sooo good we had to have a take out.
Dosser		07 Jan 2016	Last one out

The Great Tree, Ramsgate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Dosser		03 Jun 2017	Served at room temperature on a warm day. Most expensive pint ive had in thanet at £4 a pint.
HSB		18 Apr 2013

Planet Thanet Easter Beer Festival 2017, Margate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Dosser		16 Apr 2017	Outstanding

The Goose (formerly The Sovereign), Ramsgate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE		29 Nov 2016	Superb dark beer, absolutely delicious and exceptionally good value today at £2.25 per pint but £1.55 per half.

The Harp, Charing Cross, Central London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		26 Nov 2016	Nourishingly nourishing, went well with The Talisker 10 year old chaser

White Cliffs Beer Festival 2016, Dover, Kent

The Compass Alehouse, Gravesend, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		08 Aug 2015	A meal to feast on

Harbour Arms, Margate, Kent

One Inn The Wood, Petts Wood, Greater London

White Cliffs Beer Festival 2015, Dover, Kent

The Potting Shed, Hythe, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE		20 Nov 2014	One of my favourite beers, a bit strong for lunchtime but I had one anyway.

The Bouncing Barrel, Herne Bay, Kent

White Cliffs Beer Festival 2014, Dover, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Ian		08 Feb 2014	Smoked sausage. Dark chocolate the only truly outstanding beer of the festival.
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	07 Feb 2014

The Firkin Alehouse, Folkestone, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Ian		31 Dec 2013	Love this beer. Even after 4 days on it's good. Great malts
Ian		28 Dec 2013	Beautiful dark intense beer.

The Flower Pot, Maidstone, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Bulls	Not Tried	12 May 2013
oz11		10 May 2013
Pedro	Not Tried	09 May 2013
Dosser	Not Tried	04 Dec 2012
Pedro	Not Tried	02 Dec 2012
Dosser		02 Dec 2012	Amazing. Surely Eddie is kents best brewer.
Pedro		01 Dec 2012

The Tankerton Arms, Tankerton, Kent

Royal Cinque Ports Yacht Club, Dover, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		02 Mar 2013	Full flavoured which lived through the pickled eggs
ChrisE		02 Mar 2013	My favourite of Gadds' regular beers, absolutely delicious, and in very good condition.
Pedro	Not Tried	02 Mar 2013

White Cliffs Beer Festival 2013, Dover, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		01 Feb 2013

Euston Tap, Euston, Central London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		22 Jan 2013	Only £3.80 pp

The Just Reproach, Deal, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		11 Dec 2012	Very oily and full bodied

Louis Armstrong, Dover, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Alenomore		22 Sep 2012	On the stillage, and top class too.
ChrisE		20 Sep 2012	On gravity dispense and very tasty indeed.

The Rose of England, Ramsgate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE		21 Sep 2012	Delicious and selling very well. Good value at £3 per pint for a 6.2% ale.
ChrisE		01 Aug 2012	Fantastic, at 6.2% I decided to only have a half of this but it was so good that I quickly followed it up with a second half. Very good value at £3 per pint.

The Cock Tavern, Hackney, Greater London

East Kent Railway, Shepherdswell, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Alenomore		25 Aug 2012	Top Class. True 5* Stout.

Kent Beer Festival 2012, Canterbury, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Mick		19 Jul 2012	Superb, rich and dark with hints of coffee toast and caramel, lovely.

The Lifeboat Ale & Cider House, Margate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Blair		22 Mar 2012	Beautiful. Rich and smoky stout. Had a few of these, left me a little wobbly.
Pedro		22 Jan 2011

Southampton Arms, Gospel Oak, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Stephen Harris		09 Feb 2012	Very nice, smooth, thick, Oyster Stout with a bit of a tang.

3rd K&ES Railway Beer Festival 2011, Tenterden, Kent

White Cliffs Beer Festival 2011, Dover, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Blair		04 Feb 2011	Turned out to be my beer of the festival. Much improved from previous years, incredibly rich and full of flavour. In stunning condition as well, pretty much perfect.

Planet Thanet Easter Beer Festival 2010, Margate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew		02 Apr 2010	Sour with harsh dark chocolate flavours which failed to hide the alcohol flavours. I suspect that this is actually a superb beer if left to develop over a few days in a pub's cellar. I'll be looking out for it.
Alenomore		02 Apr 2010	Excellant. Big, dark, tasty and strong?