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The Handsome Sam (Free House)
| Beer (sort) | Average Score (sort) | No. Samples (sort) |
|---|---|---|
| Kent - Prohibition |  | 1 |
| Cross Bay - The Blonde | | 1 |
| Brumaison - Bullion | | 1 |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Seasider | | 1 |
| Kent - Elysium | | 1 |
| Hopdaemon - Incubus | | 1 |
| Wantsum - Ravening Wolf | | 1 |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Jaipur | | 1 |
| Kent - KGB or Kent Golding Bitter | | 1 |
| Oakham - Citra | | 1 |
| Angels & Demons (now uses McCanns branding not its own) - Bombay Social |  | 1 |
| Chislet - Hoplands | | 1 |
| Wantsum - Fortitude (was 4.2%) | | 1 |
| Kent - Rogue 2 | | 1 |
| Wantsum - Hurricane | | 1 |
| Westerham - Hop Rocket (superseded by 4.8% entry) | | 1 |
| Tonbridge - Easy Street Pale | | 1 |
| Kent - Porter | | 1 |
| Mad Cat - Crispin Amber | | 1 |
| Brumaison - Beulter | | 1 |
| Wantsum - More's Head (previously 3.4% & 3.5%) | | 1 |
| Constellation - Aquila |  | 1 |
| Musket - Fife & Drum Golden Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Musket - Trigger | Not Tried | 0 |
| Iron Pier - Bitter | Not Tried | 0 |
| Hop Fuzz - English Bitter | Not Tried | 0 |
| Pig & Porter - Slave to the Money | Not Tried | 0 |
| Tonbridge - Velvet Raven | Not Tried | 0 |
| Four Candles - Bramling | Not Tried | 0 |
| Shivering Sands - Knock John Bitter | Not Tried | 0 |
| Chislet - Island Road | Not Tried | 0 |
| Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | Not Tried | 0 |
| St Austell - Trelawny | Not Tried | 0 |
Visits Details
07 Sep 2024 (Hogan Sampling)
Having devoured a plate of freshly prepared fish and chips in a cafe/take-away in the high street which seems just as good as I remember it from 8 years earlier, it was time for my first visit and early evening to this busy little micropub. A warm welcome and prompt service greeted me.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Seasider | 4.30 | | In very fine condition was this Seasider Pale with some maltiness and moreish, hoppy flavours. |
| Wantsum - Fortitude (was 4.2%) | 4.60 | | A fine head on this best bitter with a sweetish mouthfeel and bitter aftertaste. |
| Westerham - Hop Rocket (superseded by 4.8% entry) | 4.30 | | On board described as 4.3%. Fine conditioning and lacing with a very hoppy mouthfeel and aftertaste. |
| Mad Cat - Crispin Amber | 4.00 | | Fine head and very bitter mouthfeel. |
02 Aug 2024 (Magnus Greel)
Late afternoon to early evening, right hand table occupied with a large group luckily the left side had just been vacated hence we swooped and enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wantsum - More's Head (previously 3.4% & 3.5%) | 3.70 | | A chestnut coloured bitter providing malt and roasted grains balanced by fruit and floral hop bitterness with a hint of citrus. Now @ 3.7% |
| Chislet - Hoplands | 3.80 | | A session pale ale with a traditional British malt bill and the addition of some New Zealand hops to bring out some gentle grapefruit notes. |
| Chislet - Island Road | 4.50 | Not Tried |
23 Nov 2022 (Jack William)
Afternoon visit to meet an old friend. Busy - partly because the pub now has a couple of tv screens showing World Cup football (albeit with the sound muted). What would the micropub purists make of this I thought. Mr P. P. ?
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hopdaemon - Incubus | 4.00 | | Probably the finest pint of this ale I’ve had. Full bodied and top condition. H |
| Kent - Rogue 2 | 6.00 | | Actually Rogue 3, same strength. A poky little number. |
| Tonbridge - Easy Street Pale | 3.90 | | Pleasant enough and in excellent condition. |
16 Aug 2022 (Jack William)
Early afternoon, a few regulars in. I hadn’t fully appreciated the artwork here before nor the old beams, some of which have been incorporated into the murals.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cross Bay - The Blonde | 4.20 | | |
| Constellation - Aquila | 4.60 | | Found this rather ordinary. |
| Shivering Sands - Knock John Bitter | 3.50 | Not Tried |
17 Feb 2022 (Dosser)
A walk from Tankerton. 4 ales on. All beers £4.20 apart from one.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kent - Porter | 5.50 | | This beer was reduced to £3,50 as it was on the way out. This was still a good pint. |
21 Jan 2022 (Jack William)
Stop 5. Late afternoon- very cosy in here.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wantsum - Ravening Wolf | 5.90 | | Excellent beer to finish on. |
| Wantsum - Hurricane | 4.50 | | |
| Pig & Porter - Slave to the Money | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Tonbridge - Velvet Raven | 5.20 | Not Tried | |
| Four Candles - Bramling | 4.40 | Not Tried |
09 Jul 2021 (Magnus Greel)
Quieter than expected for a mid to late Friday evening, just two groups in we were offered the perch seats or window seats so we opted for the latter. Friendly welcome and good service hence an empty glass wasn't empty for long!
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brumaison - Bullion | 4.50 | | A refreshing single hop pale ale |
| Angels & Demons (now uses McCanns branding not its own) - Bombay Social | 3.80 | | Light dry and refreshingly hoppy |
| Iron Pier - Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Hop Fuzz - English Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried |
29 May 2021 (ChrisE)
After spending thirty three minutes in a very full rail replacement double decker bus with no track and trace facilities it was a relief to enjoy the safety of a pub. This pub has been under new management for two weeks now and remains a true micropub. A lady told me about her local in Charlton which, surprisingly, was not listed on What Pub. A quick email to a South East London Camra branch member soon put that matter right.
There as also a beer chalked up as Goody's Porter at 5%abv, I presume that this may have been Goody Good Lord.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kent - KGB or Kent Golding Bitter | 4.10 | | |
| Brumaison - Beulter | 4.60 | | Amber coloured best bitter. Slightly cloudy but this is probably unfined. |
| Musket - Fife & Drum Golden Ale | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Musket - Trigger | 3.60 | Not Tried |
06 Feb 2020 (Dosser)
My first visit. A good selection of light coloured beers on.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Jaipur | 5.90 | | Really enjoyed this. £4 a pint. |
12 Sep 2019 (Jack William)
Lunchtime- our group of 9 took over the large table for a good session.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakham - Citra | 4.20 | | Top condition for this Oakham classic. |
| Kent - Prohibition | 4.80 | | Lovely dry finish. Can’t fault the condition of the beers here. |
| Kent - Elysium | 5.90 | | Rich and hoppy - very good. |
| Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | 3.40 | Not Tried | To replace the Citra which we had drunk dry. |
| St Austell - Trelawny | 3.80 | Not Tried |
About The Handsome Sam
Summary of Beer Scores
| Total | |
|---|---|
 | 1 |
| 24 |
| 23 |
| 5 |
 | - |
The pub is found in Whitstable, Kent, CT5 4HJ.
Edge of town centre Micropub which opened on Tuesday 4th November 2014 in a former antiques shop. Located in Canterbury Road just by the railway overbridge. Named after the owner's cat which died exactly 4 years before the pub opened. High ceilinged room which retains some original wooden beams with a temperature controlled cellar room at the back from which real ales and ciders are sold on gravity dispense from a 2 level stillage - this is called the Beer Tent. High tables and bench seats and stools provide the seating. Hops adorn the 2 front bay windows. Unisex toilet at the right rear. Closed Mondays.
We have visited this pub 28 times, seen 81 different beers and tried 47 of them.
Postcode: CT5 4HJ