The Firkin Alehouse (Free House)
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Michael Croxford. Photos are of the original site, not the later one or one after the second move.
Visits Details
19 Nov 2025 (Jack William)
Evening. Bumped into a couple of drinking chums from Dover (who I first met in the Mogul!) Nearly had the Kent Prohibition not noticing that it was the 10th anniversary edition ‘X’ at 6.8% (nothing to do with Elon Musk). Driving later so had to decline and go for the Old Skool. One other ale on, not noted.
| Kent - Old Skool | 4.10 |  | Spot on |
| Kent - Prohibition X | 6.80 | Not Tried | Limited edition for Kent’s 10th anniversary. One to look out for. |
11 Sep 2025 (Jack William)
Lunctime. Bus pass outing. 8 of us made for a lively session. Well looked after by the guv. A couple of our group tried the cheeseboard - good selection of cheese and biscuits and excellent value.
| Kent - KGB or Kent Golding Bitter | 4.10 |  | Very good body, solid flavours. Just a little less than bright. |
| Bristol Beer Factory - Pure Shores | 4.00 |  | Clean and crisp, a little lacking in body. All Bristol beers are now gluten free apparently. |
| Bristol Beer Factory - Satisfaction | 5.00 |  | |
27 Aug 2025 (Jack William)
Evening, nicely busy - surprised to be told that last orders here are 7pm. Friendly.
| Kent - Tropic Ale | 4.90 |  | Fruity, big bodied. |
| Saltaire - Triple Choc (was Triple Chocoholic) | 4.80 | Not Tried | |
| Burning Sky - Plateau (was 3.5%) | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
12 Aug 2025 (Jack William)
Early evening visit to catch up with a couple of old friends. Nicely busy with plenty of comings and goings during our stay.
| Kent - Tropic Ale | 4.90 |  | Superb, top condition. |
| Abbeydale - Serenity | 3.60 |  | Unfined IPA - nice and fruity. |
| Verdant - ESB | 5.50 |  | A collaboration with Adnams apparently. Full bodied and malty. |
28 May 2025 (Jack William)
Evening. Jolly banter about the size of giraffes’ tongues (18 inches) and the weight of blue whales (up to 180 tons).
| Oakham - Sunset | 5.30 |  | |
| Kent - Future Hop | 4.30 |  | |
| Kent - Old Skool | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
14 May 2025 (Jack William)
Early evening - nicely busy.
| Oakham - White Dwarf | 4.30 |  | A rare appearance of this old classic. Not sure if it was as good as it used to be at the Mogul, Dover when it was the subject of “kill the dwarf” sessions to see how quick the cask could be finished! |
| Kent - Prohibition | 4.80 | Not Tried | |
| Kent - The Quiet American | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
14 Apr 2025 (Jack William)
Early evening. Just a handful in, quiet.
| Kent - Ēostre | 4.20 |  | Found this rather lacking in body. Bright enough but little aftertaste. |
| Arbor Ales - Rocketman | 6.00 | Not Tried | |
| Wiper and True - Kaleidoscope | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
14 Dec 2024 (Andrew)
Pub no. 13 and the end of the tour. Busy. Ian met some people he knew.
| Kent - Christmas Session | 3.70 |  | Liked it. |
| Kent - Yule Log | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Kent - Comet | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Kent - Starry Night | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
02 Dec 2024 (Jack William)
Early evening - nice to see a micro open on a a Monday. A few locals in. Had a good chat with a wee Scotsman called Jed.
| Brighton Bier - Catcher | 4.50 |  | Well balanced APA in top condition, good hoppy notes. |
| Wiper and True - Milkshake Stout | 4.50 |  | Marked up as 4.8 ABV.
superb body and condition but very sweet. |
| 4T's - Raging Bull | 3.90 | Not Tried | |
12 Sep 2024 (Jack William)
Afternoon - a few regulars in. The landlord was engaging and allowed us to bring in toasted sandwiches from across the road.
| Vocation - Boundary | 4.80 |  | A collaboration “ Vocation and Friends”. Juicy, full bodied pale.Almost clear despite being unfined. A delightful pint. |
| Kent - Kent Golding Bitter or KGB | 4.10 |  | |
| Brew York - Lendal | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
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