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Gadds' Beer Shop & Taproom (Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds'))
| Beer (sort) | Average Score (sort) | No. Samples (sort) |
|---|---|---|
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Green Hop Ale (2026) |  | 1 |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Chairman of the Board | | 2 |
| Goacher's - Green Hop Ale - Experimental EG40 | | 1 |
| Arbor Ales - Rocketman | | 1 |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Dark Conspiracy |  | 1 |
| Wantsum - Coffee Stout | | 1 |
| Kent - Green Giant (EKG) | | 1 |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Little Cracker | | 2 |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Resurrection - Cask Aged Little Cracker | | 1 |
| New Bristol - Bristol Bitter | | 1 |
| Northdown - Green Bear (collab with Hop Along Thanet) - Brown Ale | | 1 |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 5 | | 1 |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Green Hop (2023) | | 1 |
| Wantsum - UXB? | | 1 |
| Wantsum - Green Hop Ernest | | 1 |
| Left Handed Giant - 1900 Porter | | 2 |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Neap Tide (collaboration with Burning Sky) | | 1 |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Stan the Man |  | 1 |
| Burning Sky - Hoppy Jonesy | | 1 |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Black Pearl Oyster Stout | | 1 |
| Burning Sky - Summertime | | 2 |
| Left Handed Giant - Dark Mild | | 1 |
| Burning Sky - Dark Jonesy | | 2 |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - HPA Hoppy Pale Ale | | 1 |
| Moor - Illumination |  | 1 |
| Burning Sky - What Gives? | Not Tried | 0 |
| Burning Sky - Aurora Australis | Not Tried | 0 |
| Burning Sky - Ginger Jonesy | Not Tried | 0 |
| Burning Sky - Field Trip | Not Tried | 0 |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Dr Sunshine's Special Friendly English Wheat Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Seasider | Not Tried | 0 |
| Goacher's - Green Hop | Not Tried | 0 |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Oatmeal Stout | Not Tried | 0 |
| Goody Ales - Bleangate Brewery - Good Harvest (Green Hop Beer 2026) | Not Tried | 0 |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - She Sells Sea Shells | Not Tried | 0 |
| McCanns (used to use Angels and Demons name as well) - Black IPA | Not Tried | 0 |
| Arbor Ales - Shangri-la | Not Tried | 0 |
| McCanns (used to use Angels and Demons name as well) - Gorm's - Green Hop IPA - Experimental DK 17-76 | Not Tried | 0 |
| Bristol Beer Factory - Fortitude | Not Tried | 0 |
| Bristol Beer Factory - White Milk Stout | Not Tried | 0 |
| Wiper and True - Kaleidoscope | Not Tried | 0 |
| Bristol Beer Factory - Dune Twist | Not Tried | 0 |
| Good Chemistry - Blind Spot | Not Tried | 0 |
| On Point - Caskade | Not Tried | 0 |
| Burning Sky - NZPA | Not Tried | 0 |
Visits Details
10 Oct 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
First visit of the outing: Very busy an hour into the Gadds’ Green Hop beer festival on our arrival shortly after one o’clock and with 8 guest green hop beers on in addition to Gadds’ own green hop launched just three weeks earlier. My fellow real ale enthusiast and I met up with two DFLs (Down from London) as the locals refer to them as, who have now resided in Ramsgate since 2019 and are enjoying every day of it. I managed to dodge the queue to the festival bar by just timing it right each time and so prompt, friendly service. A clement day with a good few also outside seated at the Tressel tables. We were conveniently on highchairs very close to the festival bar to keep an eye of when to join the queue to it. Just over an hour and half sufficed to sample four halves before a gentle stroll into Broadstairs.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goacher's - Green Hop Ale - Experimental EG40 | 3.90 | | 2nd beer of this festival visit: There were two Goacher’s Green Hop Ales on both at the same strength, one with Goldings hops, the other with Experimental EG40 hops. So to decide, a sample of each. The one with the experimental EG40 hops was the clear winner as it had much more of the green hop oiliness for my delighted taste buddies. The other tasted thinner. The EG40 hopped one exhibited a frothy white top and lasting lacing to boot. It had a very potent oiliness on its first kick leaving my taste buddies in ecstasy from a brewing outfit which laced up its proper boots and got cracking way back in 1983 and so standing proud as the oldest independent micro-outfit in the whole of Kent. From setting up shop inside an old, dusty paper mill in the Loose Valley, on the fringes of Maidstone, it grew in 1990 with the whole shebang carting their coppers down the road to Tovil Green Business Park, still in Maidstone. A very fresh, moreish hoppiness rising from the Green Hop Experimental EG40 that was mashed in the copper, grabbing hold of those virgin, un-kilned green bells the very morning after they were plucked straight off the bines. A floral fruitiness rising for me from this golden hued green hop pale with its stars of this copper, the un-kilned, fresh-picked EG40 hops, an experimental Kentish crossbreed cooked up by the bright sparks at Wye Hops, matching the sturdy British Target variety with a wild American male plant. From this mix juicy notes of sweet citrus, lychee and mango hitting my taste buddies with a meadow-fresh, tropical fruit sweetness but leaving a dry crisp bitter bite across my palate. A touch of maltiness in on the mix from traditional Maris Otter winter barley malt lending an oven-fresh bready and biscuit crust flavouring for me after its time spent dancing in the hot mash tun. Its hops’ oiliness prevailing right to the slide down my hatch. Served in exceptional tip-top condition. |
| Kent - Green Giant (EKG) | 6.00 | | 4th beer of this festival visit: An abundant head and lacing lasting on this green hop IPA from Kent Brewery set up in 2010 by a former brewer from the legendary Dark Star outfit and by 2011 got their 10-barrel kit firing proper at their farmhouse headquarters in Birling, near West Malling, in the heart of Kent. A dry fruity first hit on this pale gold-coloured green hopped IPA that has been scooping up gold medals and awards across the county since 2016. A hoppy resinous fruitiness rising from its freshly harvested, undried East Kent Goldings straight into the copper kettle, unleashing a surge of grassy freshness, zesty English citrus and a perfume-like floral punch. Hints of honeyed wildflower and wet-grass aromas and as it passed my pearly whites, the hops unleashing a crisp and resinous herbal bite. A prominent fresh hoppiness winning over and prevailing to the finish. Its English Pale Malt base, lending a crisp, sweet and crackery biscuit base, kissed with Caramalt, exuding a light sugary biscuit flavouring that lends just enough sweet scaffolding to keep the towering hop profile from tipping over. Served in top form. |
| Northdown - Green Bear (collab with Hop Along Thanet) - Brown Ale | 4.50 | | 1st beer of this festival visit: Came with very good head and lasting lacing on this brown ale from brewing set up in 2016 before moving shortly after to its grander digs on the Westwood Industrial Park in Margate, Kent, in May 2018 and running until sadly the shutters had to be put up in September 2026. A dry hoppy first hit on this particular dark mahogany drop, named "Green Bear”, and a quintessential Northern English Brown Ale crafted in cahoots with the garden-allotment street scholars of the Hop Along Thanet collective, using fresh green hops in the brew*. A fruity hoppiness rising from the copper kettle being loaded with a combination of locally grown green Fuggles behind a woody, earthy and herbal note, garden-harvested Prima Donna (a dwarf Goldings variety) unleashing a fresh floral spice, and the classic British Northdown hops lending a sharp bitterness paired with hints of pine and berry fruitiness detectable to me leading to a spicy-herbal snap that cuts clean through the heavy grain in overcoming the dark sweetness. Its maltiness joining in from this mash’s marry-up of Maris Otter behind a sweet, biscuit base tasting like fresh-baked bread crusts, Crystal exuding a caramel and treacle sweetness, and Chocolate malts punching out toasted nuts and roasted cocoa. A toasty symphony on my palate where the nutty character marries the sweet treacle to satisfy my whistle perfectly. An earthy, floral touch lingering. Served in top condition and saluting Northdown Brewery’s running for a decade before dwindling sales and rising costs caused the operation to cease running. *The clever twist here is that this brown ale is a green hop beer combined. While most traditional green hop beers are brewed as golden or pale ales to show off the grassy notes of the fresh harvest, the Hop Along Thanet collective and Northdown Brewery did it differently in taking the freshly plucked, un-dried green hops straight from the local allotments. |
| Wantsum - Green Hop Ernest | 5.00 | | 3rd beer of this festival visit: Very good frothy head and lasting lacing on this local green hop IPA from Wantsum Brewery, set up in 2009 in Canterbury before the move to St Nicholas Court Farm at St Nicholas at Wade in 2017 and roughly 2.5 to 3 miles west of Birchington-on-Sea. A hoppy fruited first bite on this 'New World' style pale. A lip-smacking fresh hoppiness rising from its un-dried Ernest hops that went straight into the kettle. These British-born 'New World' green hops throw off a sharp, zesty hit of grapefruit peel and a ripened orchard juice. My breathing apparatus picked up apricot and zesty citrus. A marry-up of Extra Pale Malt, keeping its mouth shut to let the other flavours lead, and a splash of Carapils, a specialty dextrin malt, lending the golden hue and a very faint malty-sweetness with light caramel and nutty flavours, lightened up with 15% Flaked Oats thrown right into the hot liquor, lending for me a slightly thick, velvety texture. A puckering hoppy sharp bitterness and an aromatic fruitiness prevailing and a dry hoppiness sailing out. Served in very good nick and very moreish. |
| Goacher's - Green Hop | 3.90 | Not Tried | Goldings which I only sampled but favoured the Experimental EG40 hop version instead. |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Green Hop Ale (2026) | 4.80 | Not Tried | Instead tried at its launch on 19th September 2026 and much enjoyed then. |
| Goody Ales - Bleangate Brewery - Good Harvest (Green Hop Beer 2026) | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| McCanns (used to use Angels and Demons name as well) - Black IPA | 5.20 | Not Tried | |
| McCanns (used to use Angels and Demons name as well) - Gorm's - Green Hop IPA - Experimental DK 17-76 | 5.20 | Not Tried |
19 Sep 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
First visit of the outing: A busy gathering for my arrival shortly after mid-day and following my walk across the fields from Ramsgate train station and in time for the tapping of the barrel performed by the head brewer and founder of Gadds, Eddie Gadd, at 12.30pm. I joined the green hop queue shortly after its initial length had reduced and so was quickly served. Conveniently, the ceremonial cask barrel had two pouring-taps attached to it for Eddie and his colleague to maximise the green hop ale's dispensing. Their main bar was serving five real ales in the run-up to the first green hop of the season being served and there was the brewery’s own brand of a band, the Gaddzukes, also busy wetting their own whistles before performing their numbers into the afternoon. I met up with the chairman of the local Thanet branch of CAMRA at the gathering and spotted many a familiar face in attendance.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Green Hop Ale (2026) | 4.80 | | 2nd beer of the visit: Freshly tapped and served moments after with a foaming, lively head and lacing. A very dry oily first bite with a floral, earthy touch. A gentle juicy hoppiness rising from the brew’s freshly harvested, un-kilned and so green, local Kent hops and historically featuring East Kent Goldings or similar local varieties. These hops are picked from the bines and rushed back to the copper within just a few hours of being harvested. The hops' oiliness rising up from not having the time to dry out and so pleasing my taste buddies profusely. Very moreish indeed were those green hops. A sweet honey infusion, too, for me but with its pale malt base intentionally kept subtle so as not to overpower the vibrant, delicate oils of the fresh harvest. A lingering hoppy bitterness that was proving highly quaffable. Served in top nick as tasted and passed by the head brewer, Eddie Gadd, before its serving to the busy gathering of real ale devotees inside and outside Gadds’ taproom. |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - HPA Hoppy Pale Ale | 3.60 | | 1st beer of the visit: Good head and lasting lacing on this hoppy pale ale from the Ramsgate-founded brewery set up in 2002 by Eddie Gadd in the back of a pub in Ramsgate, Kent, before then relocating the brewery to the Pyson's Road Industrial Estate in Broadstairs. A hoppy and lightly fruited first hit on this crisp pale-coloured session ale. A dry hoppiness rising from its juicy US hops lending a tangy citrus and grass flavouring. The likely American varieties are Target and Celeia, and so as to deliver the punchy, citrusy and resinous flavouring typical of US-style pale ales. A touch of biscuity and bready maltiness joining in from its malted barley base to balance its hops on parade. A sweet bitterness prevailing and a dry hoppiness lingering. Served in very good order. |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 5 | 4.40 | Not Tried | |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Seasider | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Dr Sunshine's Special Friendly English Wheat Ale | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - She Sells Sea Shells | 4.70 | Not Tried |
19 Sep 2026 (Dosser)
Big crowd for the tapping of the fresh greenhop ale. Music and merriment. All beers £5.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Green Hop (2023) | 4.80 | | The 26 version. I'm assuming its 4.8%. Fine ale and very similar to last years. |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Black Pearl Oyster Stout | 6.20 | | Tried the nitro version. Head to the bottom of the glass. But not as good as the real thing. |
25 Jul 2026 (Andrew)
Chairman of the Board festival was on so I walked u with Ian, and later met Sim. We managed to get some seats inside, which was great as they had air conditioning.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Chairman of the Board | 8.40 | | Smooth, resinous, rich. Paleish brown colour. |
| Burning Sky - Summertime | 4.50 | | Pale gold. |
| Burning Sky - Dark Jonesy | 3.40 | | Passion fruit, mellow in mouth. Black beer. |
| Burning Sky - Hoppy Jonesy | 3.40 | | Pappy base with subdued passion fruit flavours. Yellowish beer. |
| Burning Sky - NZPA | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Burning Sky - What Gives? | 4.40 | Not Tried | The brewer from Burning Sky had this and said it was "a little green". |
| Burning Sky - Aurora Australis | 5.60 | Not Tried | |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Neap Tide (collaboration with Burning Sky) | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Burning Sky - Ginger Jonesy | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Burning Sky - Field Trip | 5.00 | Not Tried |
25 Jul 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
1st visit of this outing: My first outing to Gadds’ Chairman’s Beer Festival held at their taproom off Pysons Road, Broadstairs, arriving for 12.15pm from my mile and a half walk from Ramsgate Station. With the one-day festival commencing from 12 noon, there were already a good few in attendance for the 10 guest beers on, alongside Gadds’ normal range at their main bar, and including at the festival bar a Gadds’ collaboration with East Sussex's Burning Sky and Gadds’ special annual brew for the festival to commemorate Gadds’ late chairman, Dave Green’s contribution to Gadds’ in the years he served on their board. Prompt friendly service from the festival bar and with no one else queuing when I first got here. Good banter to be had with fellow festival goers throughout and a very enjoyable hour and a half spent before my walk for some fish and chips opposite the Magnet micropub in the centre of Broadstairs.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Chairman of the Board | 8.40 | | 4th beer of this visit: Brewed as a tribute to the role and legacy of Dave Green*, the late Chairman of the Gadds' Brewery, this 8.4% ABV English barley wine came with a handsome head and plentiful and lasting lacing. A very sweetened and fruited first bite. A sugary maltiness floating up alongside a fruity hoppiness joining in with plum, raisin and dark dried fruit flavours coming at me. Its maltiness winning over from local English Pale Malt aiding its high content of sugars needed for an 8.4% ABV, alongside Crystal and dark specialty malts aiding its amber hue, chewy consistency, and dark fruit flavours. Its sugary sweetness holding on in there for me and caressing my taste buds the whole way on its descent with a dry mildly bitter finish aided by its 100% Kent-grown hops such as Fuggles or East Kent Goldings which lend an earthy, herbal bitterness to counteract the heavy malt sweetness. On top form. *Dave Green was appointed as a company director in December 2005 and chaired the board for over 14 years before officially stepping down in February 2020. When the brewery's old pick-up truck broke down, Dave Green’s gift of an electric delivery truck aided founder, Eddie Gadd, on the way to transforming Gadds' into one of the UK’s most eco-friendly independent breweries. Green was an ardent supporter of British cask ale culture and a dedicated follower of Thornbridge Brewery in Derbyshire. Dave Green passed in 2023 leading to Gadds' establishing their annual Chairman's Beer Festival. |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Neap Tide (collaboration with Burning Sky) | 4.00 | | 3rd beer of this visit: Came with very good head and lasting lacing on this collaborative pale ale between Gadds’ and Burning Sky. So-named as both breweries are deeply tied to the English coastline, with Gadds’ between Ramsgate and Broadstairs, shaped by the maritime rhythms and tidal flows of the North Sea, and Burning Sky based in the South Downs of East Sussex, not far from the chalk cliffs and the English Channel. Also so-named as a neap tide occurs twice a month during the first and third quarters of the moon when the gravitational pull of the sun and moon counteract each other, resulting in the smallest tidal range with the high tide at its lowest and the sea at its calmest, most gentle state. The beer is said to stay low, gentle and highly balanced, and at 4% ABV, the beer reflects a calm, low-range tide, letting you enjoy it in quantity without the heavy "high tide" effects of stronger ales. A dry and almost oily*, like a green hop ale, and hoppy first hit. A mildly spicy hoppiness rising from its East Kent Goldings and Celeia hops, often referred to as Styrian Golding Celeia from Slovenia, and the latter giving rise to flavours of lime, lemon, grapefruit and sweet pear, plus hints of thyme, fresh-cut hay, and pine and an earthy spiciness. For me hints of a subtle citrus flavouring of orange, lemon and lime prevailing. Crystal hops were added during fermentation, lending a herbal and floral hint for me. The flavouring of a good bittering hop kicking in and not a lot of malt used, just some pale base malts in among its heavy wheat content. A very gentle fruited hoppiness prevailing before its sliding downwards. Served in superb nick. *I was not wrong about its oiliness as crushed coriander seeds were added late to the boil to release aromatic, citrusy oils. |
| Burning Sky - Summertime | 4.50 | | 1st beer of this visit: It poured with great head and lasting lacing on this mildly hazy golden coloured pale from Burning Sky, set up in 2013 and located in a refurbished farm building on the Firle Estate in Lewes, East Sussex, within the South Downs National Park. A dry but fruited first hit. A citrusy hoppiness rising but not overly fruited for example with tropical ones. A dry spicy hoppiness prevailing from its mix of European* and New Zealand hop varieties, alongside a hint of maltiness from its Maris Otter malt and wheat malt. A gentle fruitiness paddling out. Served in top notch condition. *The European hops are likely to be Hallertau Mittelfruh or Tettnanger from Germany, lending herbal earthy tones, and a subtle peppery spice, Styrian Goldings from Slovenia known for their resinous notes which I picked up on plus a touch of clove-like spice and citrus, and Saaz from the Czech Republic, known for their crisp, herbal-spicy hints with a bitter finish. |
| Burning Sky - Dark Jonesy | 3.40 | | 2nd beer of this visit: Presented with very good head and lacing and almost lasting to the end on this opaque dark brown to near-black hued mild ale and from the Jonesy trilogy. These have been brewed to commemorate the passing of Rob Jones, founder of Sussex's Dark Star Brewing Company, and here presented as one cask of each of only two made in total of each beer in the trilogy. A slightly malted first bite. A subtle hedgerow fruitiness rising from its English or European hop varieties such as Goldings or Fuggles added to the boil to aid its background bitterness rather than a predominant fruitiness. A gentle biscuity maltiness winning over with bittersweet cocoa flavours with a subtle nuttiness and toffee-like sweetness from its specialty malts. Traditional Maris Otter barley malt alongside specialty grains, including Crystal malt, lending its sweetness, and Chocolate malt and roasted barley lending this ale its dark hue and roastiness. A hoppy sweetness playing out with an earthy bitterness lingering. On very great form with good conditioning. |
| Burning Sky - NZPA | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Burning Sky - What Gives? | 4.40 | Not Tried | |
| Burning Sky - Aurora Australis | 5.60 | Not Tried | |
| Burning Sky - Hoppy Jonesy | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Burning Sky - Ginger Jonesy | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Burning Sky - Field Trip | 5.00 | Not Tried |
04 Apr 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
1st visit of this outing to Broadstairs: Quiet for my earliest arrival at Gadds’ taproom, a little after mid-day and for day-two of their Easter Beer Festival. A short trot along footpaths wending their way through neighbouring fields and allotments from Ramsgate Station for our party of two real ale enthusiasts got us here in under 30 minutes. It would appear Gadds’ had 4 casks in reserve from their sell-out of all festival beers on Good Friday. By about 1pm on this Easter Saturday, the venue started to fill up but not even the band was fully assembled by then. Thankfully no plastic glasses as would have taken off from the outside bench-tables in the gusty wind. Very generous halves served by the friendly staff. A good hour spent supping all four festival halves and with no waiting to be served at any time.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wantsum - UXB? | 4.60 | | 4th beer of this visit: Came with very good head and lacing and lasting all the way on this deep red to almost black-coloured porter from the St Nicholas-at-Wade microbrewery set up in 2009 and between Herne Bay and Birchington-on-Sea. Just a hint of the Phantom Raspberry Blower of Old London Town, from the Two Ronnie’s sketch, on the first hit with a fruity, jammy nose. The merest hint of raspberry on my taste buds rising on this windy spot outside Eddie’s taproom! Real raspberries or raspberry extract are used during the brewing or maturation process*. A hoppy bitterness prevailing, though the specific hop varieties are not detailed but the most likely candidates are Fuggles, lending a delicate balance of earthy, woody and mild spicy notes that complement dark chocolate malts without clashing with the raspberry, East Kent Goldings as often used by Wantsum and often cited in raspberry porter for its floral and honey aroma and sweet berry flavours, Bramling Cross, known for blackcurrant and dark fruit characteristics, and Northern Brewer, used in porters for its clean, neutral bitterness aiding the malt and raspberry to remain. A dark roasted maltiness winning over with a chocolatey roastiness derived from its chocolate malt. A dry hoppy abseil downwards as far too windy for a precipitation from above. Very moreish and served in superb nick! *Maturation refers to the final stage of brewing where "green beer" (young, fermented beer) rests to develop its final flavour, clarity and carbonation. |
| Wantsum - Coffee Stout | 4.60 | | 2nd beer of this visit: A superbly creamy head on this Kentish seasonal black coffee stout leaving a lasting lacing on the sides of the glass from this St Nicholas-at-Wade microbrewery set up in 2009 and between Herne Bay and Birchington-on-Sea. A dry hoppy maltiness on its first bite with a prominent espresso hit. A good coffee-infusion rising from its real coffee beans accompanied by a maltiness from its dark malts including Chocolate and Crystal. A caramelised note winning over with a subtle malty sweetness. A dry bitterness prevailing from its traditional English hops locally grown, such as Goldings or Fuggles, lending it a balanced, earthy bitterness. A roasty maltiness joining in on its sailing out. In very fine nick. |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Resurrection - Cask Aged Little Cracker | 5.00 | | 3rd beer of this visit: This rare barrel-matured variant of Gadds' seasonal Little Cracker Yuletide Ale, aged in wine or spirit barrels to add complexity, presented a very impressive head and lasting lacing. A very dry hoppy first hit. A fruity hoppiness rising from its mix of the spicier Kent hops. A toffee-infused biscuity, liquoricey and nutty maltiness in on the mix aided by its crystalised rye malt, a specialty brewing malt produced by stewing and roasting germinated rye. This results in a caramelised sugar content within the kernel. A dry hoppy bitterness sailing out. Very moreish and in top notch condition. |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Stan the Man | 4.20 | | 1st beer of this visit: Presented with very good head and lacing and lasting throughout on this Ramsgate brewery’s English Session IPA*. A dry hoppy first bite. A good fruity note rising with hints of peach, passion fruit and pineapple joining in from its mix of aromatic hops alongside Gadds’ local Kentish ones. A moreishly dry hoppiness prevailing balanced by its light pale malt before the sailing out. Served in tip top condition. *The beer from the Ramsgate Brewery, set up in 2002 in the back of a Ramsgate pub called the Horse & Groom, is named after Stan Bowles (1948–2024), the legendary English footballer and regarded as Queen Parks Rangers’ greatest-ever player, nicknamed "Stan the Man". Bowles was celebrated for his part in the 1970s' game and famously quipping about his lifestyle: "Looking back, I think I overdid it on the tonic!" |
03 Apr 2026 (Andrew)
Gadd's Easter Beer Festival. Here with Ian, and Steve. Euan and Colin here too. It was heaving, and by about 4pm all the festival beer had sold out!
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Dark Conspiracy | 4.90 | | Very much like a stout of old. |
| New Bristol - Bristol Bitter | 4.00 | | Refreshing brown bitter. Fruity. Nicely water. |
| Left Handed Giant - Dark Mild | 3.40 | | Black. Good head. Black current. Hint of sharpness. |
| Left Handed Giant - 1900 Porter | 5.50 | | Black. Elderberry. Powdery. Rich. Thin head. Fish oil? |
| Moor - Illumination | 4.30 | | Hazy. Sandy orange. No real head. Soft in mouth but slightly acidic sherbet. Sicks in the mouth. |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 5 | 4.40 | Not Tried | |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Seasider | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - She Sells Sea Shells | 4.70 | Not Tried | |
| Arbor Ales - Shangri-la | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Bristol Beer Factory - Fortitude | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Arbor Ales - Rocketman | 6.00 | Not Tried | |
| Bristol Beer Factory - White Milk Stout | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - HPA Hoppy Pale Ale | 3.60 | Not Tried | |
| Wiper and True - Kaleidoscope | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Bristol Beer Factory - Dune Twist | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Good Chemistry - Blind Spot | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| On Point - Caskade | 4.30 | Not Tried |
03 Apr 2026 (Dosser)
Beer festival in the icy wind..and rain on the way.Lots of great ales on, all £5, up from last years £4.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arbor Ales - Rocketman | 6.00 | | Unbelievable USA IPA. |
| Left Handed Giant - 1900 Porter | 5.50 | | Another superb beer with full body. |
23 Dec 2025 (Jack William)
Lunchtime cycle meet. 6 of us helped to keep the place occupied while most of the other custom was for takeaways. At least six pumps in action - just noted the two I had.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 5 | 4.40 | | Couldn’t fault this, as expected. |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Little Cracker | 5.00 | | Yum yum |
06 Dec 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
5th visit of the outing: Packed on the inside when I got here from my walk from the Sonder in Broadstairs at around three-thirty. Met up with a fellow real ale enthusiast from SE London for Gadds' launch of the Little Cracker, a seasonal ruby ale and here with a mild ginger hint in on the mix. Prompt, efficient service for the numbers in attendance alongside the Gaddzukes' singers and band performing festive numbers on the inside.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Little Cracker | 5.00 | | Very good head and lacing and lasting on this Ramsgate-brewed ruby ale. A very dark fruited first hit. A red-berry flavouring dancing on my taste buds. A dry bitterness prevailing with a mixture of the spicier Kent hops in evidence. Aided by its crystalised rye malts, a spicy maltiness paddling out. |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 5 | 4.40 | Not Tried | |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Seasider | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Oatmeal Stout | 4.60 | Not Tried | |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - She Sells Sea Shells | 4.70 | Not Tried | |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - HPA Hoppy Pale Ale | 3.60 | Not Tried |
About the Gadds' Beer Shop & Taproom
Summary of Beer Scores
| Total | |
|---|---|
| 6 |
| 38 |
| 32 |
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The pub is found in Broadstairs, Kent, CT10 2YD.
Gadds' new (Autumn 2019) brewery tap. 7 ales available.
We have visited this pub 27 times, seen 88 different beers and tried 58 of them.
Postcode: CT10 2YD