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Drakes (Ei Group (formerly Enterprise Inns))

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Beer (sort)Average Score (sort)No. Samples (sort)
Hop Back - Summer LightningExceptional1
Royal Tunbridge Wells - Sovereign BlondeExceptional1
Westerham - Westerham FlyerExceptional1
Tonbridge - Blonde AmbitionExceptional1
Royal Tunbridge Wells - Royal Best BitterExcellent1
Westerham - British Bulldog "BB" (was 4.3%)Excellent1
Hopdaemon - IncubusExcellent1
Eagle (formerly Wells & Young's, formerly Charles Wells, formerly Wells) - Courage Directors (use Banks's entry now please)Excellent1
Shepherd Neame - Spitfire (or Spitfire Amber Ale)Excellent1
Batemans - Rosey NoseyExcellent1
Hanlons (formerly O'Hanlon's) - FireflyExcellent1
Adnams - Ghost ShipGood1
Marston's - Wychwood Hobgoblin IPA (was Ruby Beer, was Hobgoblin)Acceptable1
Ringwood - BoondoggleNot Tried0
Whitstable - Native BitterNot Tried0
Picture 1. Drakes, Maidstone, Kent

Visits Details

18 Jul 2012 (Alenomore)
18:30 visit and only me and the barman here. Hot foot, off the train from Beltring (War & Peace show!), this is the first Real Ale emporium you'll encounter towards the County Town.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Hop Back - Summer Lightning5.00ExceptionalOut of three handpumps, this was the sole offering today. Must admit, it was 5*, and so it should be at £3.85p a pint? For the record, I believe this is the priciest pint of Real Ale in town??
29 Mar 2012 (Pedro)
Evening
BeerABVScoreNotes
Adnams - Ghost Ship4.50Good
Marston's - Wychwood Hobgoblin IPA (was Ruby Beer, was Hobgoblin)4.50Not Tried
Ringwood - Boondoggle4.20Not Tried
10 Dec 2011 (Alenomore)
1930 visit, hot foot from East London.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Shepherd Neame - Spitfire (or Spitfire Amber Ale)4.20ExcellentVery surprised seeing this on here. And have to admit, for Shep's, this was in very good nick here too.
Marston's - Wychwood Hobgoblin IPA (was Ruby Beer, was Hobgoblin)4.50Not Tried
22 Oct 2011 (Alenomore)
1830 visit. "Inconsistent" can only describe this lovely old town centre hostelry. 3 ales on today. Needs to be checked out regularly?
BeerABVScoreNotes
Tonbridge - Blonde Ambition4.20ExceptionalCould not fault this here this evening.
Marston's - Wychwood Hobgoblin IPA (was Ruby Beer, was Hobgoblin)4.50Not Tried
Whitstable - Native Bitter3.70Not Tried
15 Oct 2011 (ChrisE)
I had read on this site that two Westerham ales were available in this pub, so I decided to pay a visit. I ordered a pint of Westerham Flyer, the barman turned the clip around and informed me that no real ales were availble and offered me a bottle of Newcastle Brown as an alternative. This offer was declined.
BeerABVScoreNotes
13 Oct 2011 (Alenomore)
7pm visit and last time here was nearly 1 year ago? Not disappointed though with two Westerham ales on, and both served in top condition. Nothing else has changed here. Lovely old pub. Recommended.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Westerham - Westerham Flyer4.00ExceptionalSurprise surprise? Contrary to some of my fellow "subordinates", this particular Westerham ale is just stunning. 4 pints devoured.
Westerham - British Bulldog "BB" (was 4.3%)4.10ExcellentOn top form. Well surprised tonite with two Westerham Ale's here.
25 Feb 2011 (Pedro)
Afternoon
BeerABVScoreNotes
Marston's - Wychwood Hobgoblin IPA (was Ruby Beer, was Hobgoblin)4.50Acceptable
05 Feb 2011 (Pedro)
Afternoon
BeerABVScoreNotes
Eagle (formerly Wells & Young's, formerly Charles Wells, formerly Wells) - Courage Directors (use Banks's entry now please)4.80Excellent
Batemans - Rosey Nosey4.90Excellent
17 Oct 2010 (Alenomore)
1700 and the starting point for my wander? Very quiet here and only one ale on tonite.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Hopdaemon - Incubus4.00ExcellentThis solitary offering was, thankfully, in top condition.
10 Oct 2010 (Alenomore)
6pm and all is quiet here too. But the ale selection was spot on. Came here to take a photo, which will be winging it's way to Andrew very soon?
BeerABVScoreNotes
Royal Tunbridge Wells - Sovereign Blonde3.80ExceptionalSpot on condition.
Hanlons (formerly O'Hanlon's) - Firefly3.70ExcellentGood condition too.
Royal Tunbridge Wells - Royal Best Bitter4.10ExcellentSlightly darker but still good.

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About the Drakes

The pub sign. Drakes, Maidstone, Kent

Summary of Beer Scores

 Total
Exceptional5
Excellent21
Good6
Acceptable5
Poor2

Website.

The pub is found in Maidstone, Kent, ME14 1JP.

Formerly the Lamb, located in Fairmeadow. Bare floor-boarded. Closed for some time after significant flood damage but reopened mid-summer 2015. CAMRA discount for card carrying members.

We have visited this pub 28 times, seen 34 different beers and tried 27 of them.

Map location

Postcode: ME14 1JP