The Anchor (Admiral Taverns)
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Visits Details
10 Jan 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
2nd visit of the outing: Ticking over for my late afternoon visit with the majority seated at the bar in this time-warp of an old pub that only does food lunchtimes so as not to get in the way of the serious business of drinking come the evening for what appear to be those of a more mature age. Friendly, prompt service as before on my first visit on 13th December 2025. A choice of three real ales on as on my earlier visit and including one from the Thanet-based brewery as in Wantsum and badged up as Anchor Imperial Ale.
| Wantsum - Imperium | 4.00 |  | This amber-coloured Kent Best Bitter from Nicholas-at-Wade just south-west of Birchington-on-Sea came with superb head and lacing and lasting throughout. A dry malty bitter first bite from its biscuit-flavoured and sweet malts derived from a blend of roasted grains. A hoppy fruitiness rising from its Kent Bullion hops lending its citrusy touch. A bitter note or two tickling my taste buds' ivories with subtle hints of fruitiness and smokiness. A dark fruitiness getting in on the session and gently drumming before its downwards finale. Very moreish and so came back for another a little later on. |
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Long Man - Long Blonde | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
13 Dec 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
7th visit of the outing: From The Miners Arms in Dunton Green we walked to Dunton Green station, which took all of about 10 minutes, for the train running half-hourly to Sevenoaks and which takes it just 4 minutes. Then the walk up the hill, London Road, into Sevenoaks town centre meant we were beginning to grow hungry. We could not fit into the Wetherspoons for something to eat at about 6.15pm so did the other two pubs on our list next which brings us to this gem, believed to date from the early 20th century but which has its roots as a historic coaching inn on London Road with landlords listed from the 1850. Kent's archival website for public houses, dover-kent.com, suggests the pub first opened sometime between 1718 and 1722. Very much a wet-led pub as well since food is served just at lunchtimes according to the local CAMRA branch entry, adding that it is one of the last real traditional pubs in the area. The landlord, Barry, is reputed to be the longest serving and perhaps of all Sevenoaks’ pubs. The 76-year-old, who took over the Admiral Taverns-owned pub, in London Road, in 1979 had poured the record number of Carling pints by November 2012 according to the Sevenoaks Chronicle, and enough to fill five-and-a-half swimming pools. On this visit, the place was comfortably busy but able to accommodate us and with prompt friendly service from the barmaid. It was indeed full of locals exchanging friendly banter and mickey-taking and they were again, like in The Miners Arms, of a more mature age. Three real ales on including one from local brewery, Tonbridge, certainly did not disappoint as indeed neither did the quality of the one I supped. Besides live music performed on Wednesday evenings according to CAMRA’s listing, darts, poker and pool are played and there is a weekly meat raffle.
| Tonbridge - Country Best | 4.00 |  | This East Peckham-brewed Kentish best bitter from north-east of Tonbridge came with a very healthy head and lacing and lasting superbly. A dry moreishly hoppy first hit. A fruited bitterness looming up aided by its Kentish Fuggles and Pilgrim hops lending it a mild spiciness with touches of herb and fruit flavourings. A pleasant hoppiness paddling out on its downwards journey with a splash of maltiness. |
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Gun - Scaramanga Extra Pale Ale | 3.90 | Not Tried | |
24 Aug 2021 (Magnus Greel)
Early evening fairly quiet in this proper no frills yet comfortable drinkers pub. Relaxing and welcoming atmosphere with no loud idiots unlike the last pub.
| Butcombe - Gold | 4.40 |  | Complex buttery mellow yet tart ale |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 5 | 4.40 | Not Tried | |
| Wantsum - Anchor Imperial Ale | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
25 Apr 2015 (oz11)
Evening.
| Camerons - Strongarm | 4.00 |  | |
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Sharp's - Doom Bar | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
13 Dec 2014 (oz11)
Evening.
| St Austell - Jolly Holly | 4.30 |  | Good dark beer with American Simcoe hops giving a piney character. |
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Sharp's - Doom Bar | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
14 Dec 2013 (oz11)
Evening visit.
| Turners - Best Bitter | 4.10 |  | |
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Sharp's - Doom Bar | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
07 Nov 2013 (thebrewingman)
Thursday evening for a CAMRA social. Fairly busy with a ladies darts match going on.
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 |  | |
| Jersey (now called Liberation) - Liberation Ale | 4.00 |  | A golden ale that is rather bland. |
| Sharp's - Doom Bar | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
02 Aug 2013 (oz11)
Evening.
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 |  | |
| Marston's - Ashes Ale | 4.10 |  | Not to my taste, but in good nick. |
| Sharp's - Doom Bar | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
20 Apr 2013 (oz11)
Evening. Not too busy and we settled here.
| Big Lamp - Bitter | 3.90 |  | |
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Sharp's - Doom Bar | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
16 Mar 2013 (oz11)
Evening, busy with plenty of youngsters in, though most of them were not drinking the ales.
| Navigation - Pale Ale | 3.90 |  | |
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Sharp's - Doom Bar | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
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