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The Haywain (Free House)

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Beer (sort)Average Score (sort)No. Samples (sort)
Westerham - Little Scotney Green Hop AleExcellent1
Dark Star - Summer MeltdownExcellent1
Hopdaemon - Skrimshander IPAExcellent1
Acorn - Old Moor PorterExcellent1
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Oatmeal StoutExcellent1
Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - The Friar's AleExcellent1
Goacher's - Best Dark Ale (aka Original)Excellent2
Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Gold TopExcellent1
Daleside - Autumn LeavesExcellent1
Dark Star - Hophead (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)Excellent2
Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Blue TopExcellent1
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 5Excellent1
Hopdaemon - IncubusExcellent2
West Berkshire - Swift Pale AleGood1
Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - London PrideGood1
Ripple Steam - Milk StoutGood1
Rudgate - Battle AxeGood1
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Rye Pale AleGood2
Musket - Flintlock Best BitterGood2
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 7Good1
Adnams - Fat SpratGood1
Goody Ales - Bleangate Brewery - Good LifeGood1
Westerham - Finchcocks OriginalGood2
Old Mill - Fall OverGood1
Theakston - Old PeculierGood1
Acorn - DarknessGood1
Caledonian - Autumn RedGood1
Whitstable - Oyster StoutGood2
Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Red TopAcceptable1
Oakleaf (now see Fallen Acorn entries) - Hole HeartedAcceptable1
Marston's - PedigreeNot Tried0
Goacher's - Gold StarNot Tried0
Theakston - Royal SaluteNot Tried0
Rudgate - Ruby MildNot Tried0
Eagle (formerly Wells & Young's, formerly Charles Wells, formerly Wells) - Bombardier (was Bombardier Glorious English) (use Eagle entry now please)Not Tried0
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 3Not Tried0
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - DogBolter Dark PorterNot Tried0
Hopdaemon - Golden BraidNot Tried0
St Austell - TributeNot Tried0
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - SeasiderNot Tried0
Adnams - BroadsideNot Tried0
West Berkshire - Good Old (or Ordinary) BoyNot Tried0
Hopdaemon - Green DaemonNot Tried0
Shepherd Neame - Master Brew BitterNot Tried0
Dark Star - Espresso StoutNot Tried0
Skinner's - Ginger TosserNot Tried0
Wadworth - Henry's Original IPANot Tried0
Dartford Wobbler (re-named from Millis) - Gravesend GuzzlerNot Tried0
Irving - Frigate Golden BitterNot Tried0
Goody Ales - Bleangate Brewery - Good HealthNot Tried0
Elgood's - Black Dog MildNot Tried0
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - She Sells Sea ShellsNot Tried0
Rockin Robin - Reckless RobinNot Tried0
Skinner's - Betty Stogs BitterNot Tried0
Whitstable - Winkle PickerNot Tried0
Caveman (latterly a cuckoo at Leatherbritches) - Neanderthal (superseded by 4.4% version)Not Tried0
Skinner's - Cornish Knocker AleNot Tried0
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Common ConspiracyNot Tried0
Musket - Fife & Drum Golden AleNot Tried0
RCH - PG SteamNot Tried0
Dartford Wobbler (re-named from Millis) - Kentish BestNot Tried0
Caveman (latterly a cuckoo at Leatherbritches) - CavedwellerNot Tried0
Whitstable - Native BitterNot Tried0
Royal Tunbridge Wells - Royal Best BitterNot Tried0
Rockin Robin - Robin RedbestNot Tried0
Eagle (formerly Wells & Young's, formerly Charles Wells, formerly Wells) - Wells Bombardier (now superseded by 4.1% version)Not Tried0
Royal Tunbridge Wells - DipperNot Tried0
Oxfordshire Ales - Bull'oxNot Tried0
Adnams - GunhillNot Tried0
Abigale - BramlingNot Tried0
Oxfordshire Ales - Oxford BestNot Tried0
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Green Hop Ale (2010-11)Not Tried0
Abigale - NailbourneNot Tried0
Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Single Hop SaphirNot Tried0
Goacher's - Real Mild AleNot Tried0
Ripple Steam - Original Best BitterNot Tried0
Picture 1. The Haywain, Bramling, Kent

Visits Details

15 Apr 2021 (Jack William)
Back again with the “bus pass” group. Excellent service, well sheltered outdoor space. A very good session - this is what we have been missing.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Hopdaemon - Incubus4.00ExcellentSuperb condition.
Musket - Flintlock Best Bitter4.20Good
Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - London Pride4.10Not Tried
13 Aug 2020 (Jack William)
Lunchtime. Our monthly micropub group decided a bigger pub may be better this month. We weren’t disappointed. Plenty of tables and three covered areas in the garden including an outside bar. Two beers straight from the barrel outside and remarkably cool considering the ambient temperature- some cunning plumbing working well.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Hopdaemon - Incubus4.00Good
Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - London Pride4.10Good
25 Feb 2020 (ChrisE)
My first visit here, I had been meaning to come to this pub for a long time as it has very good reports. A really good boozer doing a brisk lunchtime trade with both food and wet trade. Well worth the effort of coming here.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 54.40Excellent
Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - London Pride4.10Not Tried
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 73.80Not Tried
Skinner's - Betty Stogs Bitter4.00Not Tried
15 Apr 2017 (Jack William)
Easter Saturday evening - very busy. A lot of diners.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Adnams - Fat Sprat3.80GoodPunching above its weight on the flavour. Nice.
Westerham - Finchcocks Original3.50AcceptablePleasant enough.
Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - London Pride4.10Not Tried
Marston's - Pedigree4.50Not Tried
23 May 2015 (Brian)
Beer festival weekend, Saturday afternoon visit. The tent in the garden was more or less full by the time we left, good to see this fest getting more popular. Good beer line up and unobtrusive live music.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Dark Star - Summer Meltdown4.80ExcellentReally fresh orangey bitter
Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - The Friar's Ale4.30ExcellentBadged as Friars IPA. Really good golden IPA. Good condition.
Theakston - Old Peculier5.60GoodMore an ale for the winter months. Good but not the best I've ever had. No rum and raisin, more bitter than usual.
Musket - Flintlock Best Bitter4.20GoodGood, inoffensive, not too memorable.
Whitstable - Oyster Stout4.50AcceptableNot so great, lacking condition and a touch sour
Goacher's - Real Mild Ale3.40Not Tried
Hopdaemon - Golden Braid3.70Not Tried
Adnams - Broadside4.70Not Tried
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - DogBolter Dark Porter5.60Not Tried
Goacher's - Gold Star5.10Not Tried
Rudgate - Ruby Mild4.40Not Tried
St Austell - Tribute4.20Not Tried
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Seasider4.30Not Tried
Hopdaemon - Green Daemon5.00Not Tried
Skinner's - Ginger Tosser3.80Not Tried
Irving - Frigate Golden Bitter3.80Not Tried
Goody Ales - Bleangate Brewery - Good Health3.60Not Tried
Rockin Robin - Reckless Robin4.50Not Tried
Caveman (latterly a cuckoo at Leatherbritches) - Neanderthal (superseded by 4.4% version)4.60Not Tried
Adnams - Fat Sprat3.80Not Tried
Musket - Fife & Drum Golden Ale3.80Not Tried
Caveman (latterly a cuckoo at Leatherbritches) - Cavedweller5.80Not Tried
Rockin Robin - Robin Redbest4.00Not Tried
Oxfordshire Ales - Bull'ox4.50Not Tried
Oxfordshire Ales - Oxford Best3.90Not Tried
Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Single Hop Saphir4.60Not Tried
07 Sep 2013 (HSB)
12:30 Lunch stop with the family. First visit for me. My idea of a typical Kent pub, hops around the bar and Bat & Trap played in the garden. Very welcoming Landlord.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Goody Ales - Bleangate Brewery - Good Life3.90Good
Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Red Top3.80AcceptableI think Old Dairy beers have really gone down hill. Perhaps they should concentrate on their core range.
Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - London Pride4.10Not Tried
Eagle (formerly Wells & Young's, formerly Charles Wells, formerly Wells) - Bombardier (was Bombardier Glorious English) (use Eagle entry now please)4.10Not Tried
02 Jun 2012 (Andrew)
Caught the bus from Canterbury and arrived about 3pm I guess. Went into the pub and nearly literally bumped into Brian (who I'd kind of guessed might be there). Really good beer festival this one. Oversized glasses and generous measures.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Goacher's - Best Dark Ale (aka Original)4.10GoodA good half of the Dark
West Berkshire - Swift Pale Ale3.80GoodStarted off with a weird "ham and mustard crisps" flavour but it grew on me. Nice
Ripple Steam - Milk Stout3.50GoodSweet, black, slightly sour/tart. Nice
Goacher's - Real Mild Ale3.40Not Tried
Hopdaemon - Golden Braid3.70Not Tried
Hopdaemon - Incubus4.00Not Tried
Goacher's - Gold Star5.10Not Tried
Rudgate - Ruby Mild4.40Not Tried
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 35.00Not Tried
Dark Star - Hophead (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)3.80Not Tried
Whitstable - Oyster Stout4.50Not Tried
St Austell - Tribute4.20Not Tried
West Berkshire - Good Old (or Ordinary) Boy4.00Not Tried
Dark Star - Espresso Stout4.20Not Tried
Dartford Wobbler (re-named from Millis) - Gravesend Guzzler3.70Not Tried
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - She Sells Sea Shells4.70Not Tried
Whitstable - Winkle Picker4.50Not Tried
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Common Conspiracy4.80Not Tried
Dartford Wobbler (re-named from Millis) - Kentish Best4.00Not Tried
Royal Tunbridge Wells - Royal Best Bitter4.10Not Tried
Royal Tunbridge Wells - Dipper3.70Not Tried
Abigale - Bramling4.10Not Tried
Abigale - Nailbourne4.50Not Tried
Ripple Steam - Original Best Bitter4.10Not Tried
Hopdaemon - Skrimshander IPA4.50Not Tried
Theakston - Royal Salute5.00Not Tried
25 Sep 2010 (Brian)
Excellent beer fest held in a marquee in the garden. There are two a year one in May and one in September (the marquee is heated so it's comfortable even in cold weather). About 20 or so beers on, quite a fair crowd in for the Saturday afternoon session. The condition of the beers was excellent.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Dark Star - Hophead (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)3.80ExcellentGreat beer to start you off. Really good condition here. Kevin (the landlord) said some customers had said that it tasted different but for me it was the same excellent golden refreshing beer.
Whitstable - Oyster Stout4.50ExcellentA bit of an old favourite for me that I hadn't had in a while. Lovely sour aroma, some black fruit and a little smoke in the mouth. Sour finish as well, but with a silky feel.
Acorn - Old Moor Porter4.40ExcellentThis was the best beer for me. Smoky, choc malt porter with really good body. Great balance. As Pete said, if you knew this was on in a pub you'd make the effort to go out just to drink this.
Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Gold Top4.30ExcellentSuperb. Orangy colour, foam head, sweet stewed fruit aroma with marmalade and zesty orange taste.
Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Blue Top4.80ExcellentSimilar to the Gold Top but with a sherbert prickle. Really good condition and my first try of Old Dairy beers, very impressed with both of them.
Rudgate - Battle Axe4.20GoodMid brown standard bitter. Some sulphur smell, very bitter finish, very good.
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Rye Pale Ale4.00GoodGolden ale, spicy slightly meaty aroma, some yeasty bread dough with astringent bitterness. A bit like new car interior says Pete (who coincidentally had just picked up his new Golf).
Caledonian - Autumn Red4.40GoodAll of the beers I had were either good or excellent. This one was clear, light brown with thin head. Sweet aroma with a buttery feel in the mouth. Medium dry finish with a good body.
Hopdaemon - Golden Braid3.70Not Tried
Hopdaemon - Incubus4.00Not Tried
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 54.40Not Tried
Adnams - Broadside4.70Not Tried
Shepherd Neame - Master Brew Bitter3.70Not TriedOn in the pub
Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - London Pride4.10Not TriedOn in the pub
Wadworth - Henry's Original IPA3.60Not Tried
Elgood's - Black Dog Mild3.60Not Tried
Skinner's - Betty Stogs Bitter4.00Not Tried
Skinner's - Cornish Knocker Ale4.50Not TriedHad some of Pete's and it was really good.
RCH - PG Steam3.90Not Tried
Whitstable - Native Bitter3.70Not TriedPete had this and was impressed
Eagle (formerly Wells & Young's, formerly Charles Wells, formerly Wells) - Wells Bombardier (now superseded by 4.1% version)4.30Not TriedOn in the pub
Adnams - Gunhill4.00Not Tried
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Green Hop Ale (2010-11)5.20Not Tried
Hopdaemon - Skrimshander IPA4.50Not Tried
26 Sep 2009 (Ian)
My first time here, but I had heard good things about it, especially during their festivals, that I had to come. Gorgeous sunshine, so even with the trains being out, I cycled to and from here from Canterbury. I sat and drank beer in the garden and chatted about beer. Perfect really.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Goacher's - Best Dark Ale (aka Original)4.10ExceptionalIs it me or is this lighter in colour than normal? Whatever, it's superb. Great and interessting malts ranging in texture and flavour. Simply one of the best beers in Kent.
Westerham - Little Scotney Green Hop Ale4.30ExcellentClear dark amber colour, thin beige head. Wow the hop on this is stunning. Sherberty green. A real explosion of flavour on a bitter. Really impressed with the flavoursome hops. Not bitter or overly citrusy, but really sherberty and fresh. Love the hops, but really not bitter. Wonderful
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Oatmeal Stout4.60ExcellentThey had this down as Oat Mill Stout, but pretty sure it was the Oatmeal. Black, dark brown edges, lasting dark beige head. Some liquorice, but another example that Eddie makes exceptional dark beers. Good bitterness on the finish. Lovely choc and proper thick malt. Some date fruit in there. Really good and the only beer I had twice.
Daleside - Autumn Leaves3.40ExcellentBeautiful chestnut brown colour with lasting beige head. Dry malt aroma. It's pretty good. Lovely dry, fruity bitter with some pepper hop on finish. Excellent in fact. A bit like an ESB but only at 3.4%. Really good tasty light ABV bitter.
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 73.80GoodMy idea of a session beer. Good biscuit
Dark Star - Hophead (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)3.80GoodYes hoppy, but a styranghe bit of mint in the mouth, but then good lasting hoppy finish.
Old Mill - Fall Over4.50GoodPale chestnut lasting beige head. Yeasty aroma. Malty besst bitter and "Just Like Heaven," by The Cure came on the stereo and I couldn't have been happier. Very good traditional best bitter, maybe a touch more hop needed on the finish for my palate.
Oakleaf (now see Fallen Acorn entries) - Hole Hearted4.70AcceptableStill just not as hoppy as I remembered it say 3 years ago when the Cascade hops jumped out of the glass at you.
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Rye Pale Ale4.00AcceptableBeen looking for this for ages. Clean gold, lasting bubbly white head. I thought perhaps some diacetyl on the aroma. Interesting rye cereal flavour in the mouth. Really quite hoppy on finish. Cracking condition makes up for a lot. Some lemon and lime citrus on finish. Yes, some biscuit/digestive biscuit flavour on finish. Some diacetyl butter. Odd, but interesting and definitely worth trying.
23 May 2009 (Blair)
They were having a beer festival here as well as at Wickhambreux so decided to pop along and check it out as well. A fair selection of ale but unortunately it was very quiet and lacking in atmosphere. We decided to head back to the Rose after a couple.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Hopdaemon - Skrimshander IPA4.50ExcellentIn great nick. Really malty bitter.
Westerham - Finchcocks Original3.50GoodLight biscuity bitter. Not bad at all.
Acorn - Darkness4.20GoodNice mild. Fruity with lots of rosted malt.

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About The Haywain

The pub sign. The Haywain, Bramling, Kent

Summary of Beer Scores

 Total
Exceptional3
Excellent35
Good46
Acceptable13
Poor-

Website.

The pub is found in Bramling, Kent, CT3 1NB.

In Canterbury Road, a country pub which features hanging hop bines and a cosy snug. Several letting rooms in the recently refurbished coach house. Local CAMRA branch Pub of the Year 2020.

We have visited this pub 35 times, seen 136 different beers and tried 70 of them.

Map location

Postcode: CT3 1NB