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The Compass Alehouse (Free House)
| Beer (sort) | Average Score (sort) | No. Samples (sort) |
|---|---|---|
| Tonbridge - Rustic |  | 3 |
| Tonbridge - Easy Street Pale |  | 2 |
| Bristol Beer Factory - Milk Stout | | 1 |
| Bristol Beer Factory - White Milk Stout | | 1 |
| Kent - Green Giant | | 1 |
| Kent - Heaven Scent Exotic Milk Stout | | 1 |
| Kent - Kent Golding Bitter or KGB | | 1 |
| Lincoln Green - Marion Pale Ale | | 1 |
| Marble - Manchester Bitter | | 1 |
| Northdown - Merry Margate | | 1 |
| Oakham - Citra | | 1 |
| Shivering Sands - Ribersborg Stout | | 1 |
| Titanic - Plum Porter | | 1 |
| Wiper and True - Blackberry Porter | | 1 |
| Five Points - XPA | | 1 |
| Hurst - Hurst 700 Pale-Ale | | 1 |
| Kent - Brewers Reserve | | 1 |
| Kent - Juice Junkie | | 1 |
| Pilot - Mochaccino | | 1 |
| Rooster's - London Thunder | | 1 |
| Cellar Head - Citris Paradisi |  | 1 |
| No Frills Joe - Joe English Green Hop | | 1 |
| Bristol Beer Factory - Talisman | Not Tried | 0 |
| Buxton - Gatekeeper | Not Tried | 0 |
| Buxton - Stacked | Not Tried | 0 |
| By The Horns - Stiff Upper Lip (downgraded from 3.8% in 2023) | Not Tried | 0 |
| Cellar Head - Session Pale Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Kent - Mandarina | Not Tried | 0 |
| Kent - Porter | Not Tried | 0 |
| Kent - Yule Log | Not Tried | 0 |
| Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Copper Top | Not Tried | 0 |
| Pig & Porter - Apparition Stout | Not Tried | 0 |
| Pig & Porter - Pigs in Blankets | Not Tried | 0 |
| Rooster's - Buckeye | Not Tried | 0 |
| Saltaire - Titus | Not Tried | 0 |
| Three Acre - Azacca Haze | Not Tried | 0 |
| Tonbridge - Blonde Ambition | Not Tried | 0 |
| Tonbridge - Winter Solace | Not Tried | 0 |
Visits Details
02 Nov 2024 (Hogan Sampling)
8th visit of the day as closest one to the station and also my favourite micro in Gravesend to end on. As always it was full and buzzing and had not visited since my 5th October train change from Broadstairs to London daytrip and before that on the 22nd June when doing a full day's visit to Gravesend. A warm welcome and prompt service as always. No bar as such, discounting their kitchen counter, and so continental as in table service. A lively crowd in with many a regular who had not forgotten us!
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tonbridge - Rustic | 4.00 | | A very frothy head and froth round the sides of the glass was a welcome sign. A bitter and not sweet mouthfeel was followed by a touch of maltiness. A very dry, moreish aftertaste. |
| Rooster's - London Thunder | 4.20 | | Served with also a welcome head and lacing. Apparently its flavours were first created back in Victorian London. A touch of roasted malt, just 7 types by all accounts, and chocolate in the flavouring. Not sweet was this porter and with a very moreishly dry aftertaste. |
| Rooster's - Buckeye | 3.50 | Not Tried | |
| Kent - Green Giant | 6.00 | Not Tried |
05 Oct 2024 (Hogan Sampling)
A good pit-stop at Gravesend for the change of trains from Broadstairs to London. Busy, lively and positively buzzing as always. Just time for a swift half out of 4 on.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Five Points - XPA | 4.00 | | Good head and lacing. A hoppy, bitter mouthfeel with hints of mango and passionfruit no less. |
| Saltaire - Titus | 3.90 | Not Tried | |
| Pig & Porter - Apparition Stout | 4.40 | Not Tried | |
| Buxton - Stacked | 5.20 | Not Tried |
07 Sep 2024 (Hogan Sampling)
On way back from Whitstable to London, the change of train at Gravesend afforded 30 minutes visit to The Compass. Not been since July. Busy with its regulars and time for two halves. Prompt, friendly service as usual.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marble - Manchester Bitter | 4.20 | | In very fine form with hoppy, fruity flavours and a lingering bitterness. |
| Kent - Heaven Scent Exotic Milk Stout | 4.60 | | Wonderful rich, creamy head with vanilla and coconut hints in the flavouring. |
| Kent - Mandarina | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Three Acre - Azacca Haze | 3.40 | Not Tried | Described as a Milkshake Session Pale |
10 Aug 2024 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening visit until close. In the backroom admired the Gravesend Regatta pre-war winning boatbacks on the wall - superb bits of history and art. First visit since the Covid pandemic and just got the last stool to perch on.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shivering Sands - Ribersborg Stout | 4.70 | | First rate, full bodied and bitter to boot |
| Kent - Kent Golding Bitter or KGB | 4.10 | | Vicious bitterness just as I wanted |
| Kent - Juice Junkie | 5.00 | | A bit flat but for me a juiciness too far |
| By The Horns - Stiff Upper Lip (downgraded from 3.8% in 2023) | 3.40 | Not Tried |
02 Dec 2023 (Magnus Greel)
Early afternoon and standing room only I met up with the rest of our group for a few before heading off to Upminster on a preserved RM or RT on today's Ensign running day.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tonbridge - Easy Street Pale | 3.90 | | Delicious peppery dry bitter fare didn't touch the sides.. |
| Kent - Brewers Reserve | 5.00 | | Dry hoppy with a citrus punch but just a tad resinous for my liking. |
| Kent - Porter | 5.50 | Not Tried | |
| Tonbridge - Winter Solace | 4.80 | Not Tried |
03 Dec 2022 (Magnus Greel)
12pm opening arranged just for our group of a dozen or so before our jaunt over the Thames for an afternoon of vintage buses and beer!
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakham - Citra | 4.20 | | |
| Bristol Beer Factory - White Milk Stout | 4.50 | | |
| Tonbridge - Easy Street Pale | 3.90 | | |
| Tonbridge - Rustic | 4.00 | |
24 Dec 2019 (Philip Pirrip)
Mid evening visit. Fun, frolics and Christmas fun made for the place being standing room only. Soon involved in a Brexit argument with a local!
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wiper and True - Blackberry Porter | 4.80 | | This was blackboarded as Cellar aged Blackberry & Calvados Porter, with, allegedly, a Calvados infusion added in-house |
| Hurst - Hurst 700 Pale-Ale | 3.90 | | Don't think I've had Hurst ales before. This was a pretty basic bitter |
| Kent - Yule Log | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Bristol Beer Factory - Talisman | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Pig & Porter - Pigs in Blankets | 4.30 | Not Tried |
07 Dec 2019 (Magnus Greel)
Lunchtime and very busy standing room only which isn't difficult here. Despite this the guv done a sterling job ensuring everyone's glasses didn't stay empty for long..
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Titanic - Plum Porter | 4.90 | | Does what it says on the tin without the sugar hit |
| Tonbridge - Rustic | 4.00 | | In superb condition and temperature brought out the nutty malty flavours |
| Northdown - Merry Margate | 3.80 | | Dry and spicy refreshing golden ale |
| Cellar Head - Citris Paradisi | 4.00 | | Rather sweet and sickly, luckily just a taster |
| Kent - Brewers Reserve | 5.00 | Not Tried |
22 Oct 2019 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening visit until 10pm close.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kent - Green Giant | 6.00 | | Great stuff indeed |
| Pilot - Mochaccino | 9.50 | | Mix up on beer order delivered this to my table. I was not too upset as this was allegedly on KeyKeg. Overriding smell and taste of dark chocolate |
| No Frills Joe - Joe English Green Hop | 5.00 | | Hazy and just an OK beer, no better |
| Buxton - Gatekeeper | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Cellar Head - Session Pale Ale | 3.80 | Not Tried |
07 Sep 2019 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening visit until 10pm close. Very relaxing, once most had left, to overhear a conversation about rowing clubs on the Thames and the skills and physical requirements needed to participate.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bristol Beer Factory - Milk Stout | 4.50 | | |
| Lincoln Green - Marion Pale Ale | 3.80 | | |
| Tonbridge - Blonde Ambition | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Copper Top | 4.10 | Not Tried |
About The Compass Alehouse
Summary of Beer Scores
| Total | |
|---|---|
 | 1 |
| 74 |
| 41 |
| 10 |
 | - |
The pub is found in Gravesend, Kent, DA12 1AA.
Micropub which opened at lunchtime on Friday 26th September 2014. Located in Manor Road just a couple of minutes from the railway station and town centre. A shop conversion from an old dairy which had, most recently, been an estate agency. Real ales and ciders sold on gravity dispense from a largish several tier stillage in a temperature controlled cold cellar room. High tables and bench seating (some incorporating wood from church pews) partition the floor space in the front room. There is further drinking space around the kitchen area and a small yard garden and smoking area at the very back. Unisex toilet. All glasses are lined measure. Closed on Mondays. Local CAMRA branch Pub of the Year 2022 and 2024.
We have visited this pub 67 times, seen 225 different beers and tried 106 of them.
Postcode: DA12 1AA