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Larkins' Alehouse (Free House)

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Beer (sort)Average Score (sort)No. Samples (sort)
Kent - Session PaleExceptional1
Three Legs - DarkExcellent1
Kent - PorterExcellent1
Wantsum - Black PigExcellent1
Tonbridge - American PaleExcellent1
Larkins - PorterExcellent1
Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Über BrewExcellent2
Larkins - TraditionalGood1
Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Snow TopGood1
Pig & Porter - Purest GreenGood1
Rockin Robin - RPANot Tried0
Big Penny (formerly Truman's) as of late 2022 contract brewed - LazarusNot Tried0
Wantsum - ImperiumNot Tried0
Hop Fuzz - Northern StarNot Tried0
Pig & Porter - SkylarkingNot Tried0
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 3Not Tried0
Holler (formerly Holler Boys) - Heavy LiftingNot Tried0
Titanic - Plum PorterNot Tried0
Big Penny (formerly Truman's) as of late 2022 contract brewed - RunnerNot Tried0
Eagle (formerly Wells & Young's, formerly Charles Wells, formerly Wells) - Young's London Special (was Special)Not Tried0
Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Red TopNot Tried0
Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Silver TopNot Tried0
Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - The Pardoner's AleNot Tried0
Long Man - American Pale AleNot Tried0
Big Penny (formerly Truman's) as of late 2022 contract brewed - ZephyrNot Tried0
Brumaison - GBNot Tried0
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 5Not Tried0
Three Legs - PaleNot Tried0
Picture 1. Larkins' Alehouse, Cranbrook, Kent
Linda Kilby

Visits Details

23 Dec 2017 (Wittenden)
Noon on the last Saturday before Christmas. A few in.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Kent - Session Pale3.70ExceptionalSublime, in tiptop nick.Floral hops. Magic.
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 54.40Not Tried
Larkins - Traditional3.40Not Tried
Holler (formerly Holler Boys) - Heavy Lifting4.20Not Tried
15 Dec 2017 (Wittenden)
Visited in the gloaming of a gloomy December afternoon.Empty save for one of the lady Guvs-(Tapster?) and her Dad. A lively conversation about micros and hops ensued.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Larkins - Porter5.20ExcellentMy first sighting of this iconic Porter this year.Roasty,bitter chocolate and mercifully no caramel.
Larkins - Traditional3.40Not Tried
Wantsum - Imperium4.00Not Tried
Hop Fuzz - Northern Star4.40Not Tried
Pig & Porter - Skylarking4.00Not Tried
02 Dec 2017 (Wittenden)
A few in on a gloomy December Saturday lunchtime.This little pub always seems to afford some interesting Kent beers.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Wantsum - Black Pig4.80ExcellentBible black 'Imperial Russian Porter'.Dry, dried fruit.Hadn't been greatly impressed by Wantsum Beers hithertofor:this is good stuff.
Larkins - Traditional3.40Not Tried
Kent - Session Pale3.70Not Tried
Rockin Robin - RPA3.90Not Tried
Big Penny (formerly Truman's) as of late 2022 contract brewed - Lazarus4.20Not Tried
25 Nov 2017 (Wittenden)
Sunset on an autumnal November Saturday.A fairly youthful custom;well I was the oldest there.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Kent - Porter5.50ExcellentTawny,dry and well bodied.Yum.
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 54.40Not Tried
Larkins - Traditional3.40Not Tried
Long Man - American Pale Ale4.80Not Tried
Three Legs - Pale3.70Not Tried
11 Nov 2017 (Philip Pirrip)
The inevitable end of crawl late evening return visit. Less frenetic and good rapport with bar staff. The bus away leaves just up the road.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Snow Top6.00GoodA nightcap brew
Larkins - Traditional3.40Not Tried
Big Penny (formerly Truman's) as of late 2022 contract brewed - Zephyr4.40Not Tried
11 Nov 2017 (Philip Pirrip)
Early evening visit. Full and was very noisy with so many hard surfaces to reflect sound. Nevertheless a very cosy well run friendly addition to Cranbrook's beer scene. The owner had a good chat with us about Micropubs in Kent and their successes and foibles.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Über Brew3.80Excellent
Larkins - Traditional3.40GoodLong time since I have any Larkins. This was rather bland but low abv may have contributed
Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Snow Top6.00Not TriedFresh on to replace the Brumaison
Big Penny (formerly Truman's) as of late 2022 contract brewed - Zephyr4.40Not Tried
Brumaison - GB4.40Not TriedWanted to try but ran out before I could order
11 Nov 2017 (Wittenden)
Busy on a damp Saturday midday.All tables occupied:conversation ruled-perhaps a bit too much for this scribe!
BeerABVScoreNotes
Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Über Brew3.80ExcellentWell hopped, floral pale ale:could benefit from more assertive malt.A change from regular ODB fare.
Larkins - Traditional3.40Not Tried
Long Man - American Pale Ale4.80Not TriedNot heard this called 'Septic' before.Rhyming slang,innit?
Big Penny (formerly Truman's) as of late 2022 contract brewed - Zephyr4.40Not Tried
Brumaison - GB4.40Not Tried
21 Oct 2017 (Wittenden)
Lunchtime on a showery Saturday.A few in,some elderly gents and a young family with rough coated Jack Russell.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Tonbridge - American Pale5.00ExcellentThis has much improved since I first tried it.Succulent, oily hops.Hint of that trademark farmyard ethos.
Eagle (formerly Wells & Young's, formerly Charles Wells, formerly Wells) - Young's London Special (was Special)4.50Not Tried
Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Red Top3.80Not Tried
Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Silver Top4.50Not Tried
Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - The Pardoner's Ale3.80Not Tried
07 Oct 2017 (Wittenden)
Saturday lunchtime.Cranbrook was 'en fete', celebrating Apple Day.Busy with drinkers wishing this new venture well. In addition to cask beers,Kentish cider and wines were available,together with some spirits.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Three Legs - Dark4.50ExcellentNudging 4.5.Lovely bible black coffee .
Pig & Porter - Purest Green5.20GoodEast Kent Goldings Green hop.Barley straw,thin marmalade. In plastic glasses because of the Apple Day frolics.
Larkins - Traditional3.40Not Tried
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 35.00Not Tried
Titanic - Plum Porter4.90Not Tried
Big Penny (formerly Truman's) as of late 2022 contract brewed - Runner4.00Not Tried

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About the Larkins' Alehouse

The pub sign. Larkins' Alehouse, Cranbrook, Kent

Summary of Beer Scores

 Total
Exceptional11
Excellent145
Good57
Acceptable2
Poor-

Website.

The pub is found in Cranbrook, Kent, TN17 3EB.

Long awaited micropub in a former florist's shop in the High Street. Long narrow room,with servery bar counter to the back. Beers served on gravity dispense from a cool room to the rear. Some tables and chairs to the front. Opened on Friday 6th October 2017. Unisex toilet. Local CAMRA branch Pub of the Year 2019, 2020, 2022 and 2024. CAMRA West Kent Pub of the Year 2022. CAMRA Kent Regional Pub of the Year 2022.

We have visited this pub 209 times, seen 308 different beers and tried 142 of them.

Map location

Postcode: TN17 3EB