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The Haywain (Free House)
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| Beer (sort) | Average Score (sort) | No. Samples (sort) |
|---|---|---|
| Orkney (Sinclair) - Dark Island |  | 1 |
| Westerham - Little Scotney Green Hop Ale | | 1 |
| Dark Star - Summer Meltdown | | 1 |
| Hopdaemon - Skrimshander IPA | | 1 |
| Acorn - Old Moor Porter | | 1 |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Oatmeal Stout | | 1 |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - The Friar's Ale | | 1 |
| Goacher's - Best Dark Ale (aka Original) | | 2 |
| Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Gold Top | | 1 |
| Daleside - Autumn Leaves | | 1 |
| Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | | 2 |
| Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Blue Top | | 1 |
| St Austell - Tribute | | 1 |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 5 | | 1 |
| Theakston - Old Peculier |  | 1 |
| Acorn - Darkness | | 1 |
| Caledonian - Autumn Red | | 1 |
| Whitstable - Oyster Stout | | 2 |
| Hopdaemon - Incubus | | 1 |
| West Berkshire - Swift Pale Ale | | 1 |
| Oakleaf (now see Fallen Acorn entries) - Heart of Oak | | 1 |
| Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - London Pride | | 1 |
| Ripple Steam - Milk Stout | | 1 |
| Nethergate (was Nethergate Growler for a while then name reverted) - Mad Bob | | 1 |
| Rudgate - Battle Axe | | 1 |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Rye Pale Ale | | 2 |
| Musket - Flintlock Best Bitter | | 1 |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 7 | | 1 |
| Hidden - Potential | | 1 |
| Robinsons - Unicorn | | 1 |
| Adnams - Fat Sprat | | 1 |
| Goody Ales - Bleangate Brewery - Good Life | | 1 |
| Westerham - Finchcocks Original | | 2 |
| Old Mill - Fall Over | | 1 |
| Oakleaf (now see Fallen Acorn entries) - Hole Hearted |  | 1 |
| Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Red Top | | 1 |
| Elgood's - Black Dog Mild | Not Tried | 0 |
| Whitstable - Winkle Picker | Not Tried | 0 |
| Rockin Robin - Reckless Robin | Not Tried | 0 |
| Skinner's - Betty Stogs Bitter | Not Tried | 0 |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Common Conspiracy | Not Tried | 0 |
| Caveman (latterly a cuckoo at Leatherbritches) - Neanderthal (superseded by 4.4% version) | Not Tried | 0 |
| Skinner's - Cornish Knocker Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Dartford Wobbler (re-named from Millis) - Kentish Best | Not Tried | 0 |
| Musket - Fife & Drum Golden Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| RCH - PG Steam | Not Tried | 0 |
| Royal Tunbridge Wells - Royal Best Bitter | Not Tried | 0 |
| Caveman (latterly a cuckoo at Leatherbritches) - Cavedweller | Not Tried | 0 |
| Whitstable - Native Bitter | Not Tried | 0 |
| Royal Tunbridge Wells - Dipper | Not Tried | 0 |
| Rockin Robin - Robin Redbest | Not Tried | 0 |
| Eagle (formerly Wells & Young's, formerly Charles Wells, formerly Wells) - Wells Bombardier (now superseded by 4.1% version) | Not Tried | 0 |
| Abigale - Bramling | Not Tried | 0 |
| Oxfordshire Ales - Bull'ox | Not Tried | 0 |
| Adnams - Gunhill | Not Tried | 0 |
| Abigale - Nailbourne | Not Tried | 0 |
| Oxfordshire Ales - Oxford Best | Not Tried | 0 |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Green Hop Ale (2010-11) | Not Tried | 0 |
| Ripple Steam - Original Best Bitter | Not Tried | 0 |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Single Hop Saphir | Not Tried | 0 |
| Goacher's - Real Mild Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Theakston - Royal Salute | Not Tried | 0 |
| Marston's - Pedigree | Not Tried | 0 |
| Goacher's - Gold Star | Not Tried | 0 |
| Eagle (formerly Wells & Young's, formerly Charles Wells, formerly Wells) - Bombardier (was Bombardier Glorious English) (use Eagle entry now please) | Not Tried | 0 |
| Rudgate - Ruby Mild | Not Tried | 0 |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - DogBolter Dark Porter | Not Tried | 0 |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 3 | Not Tried | 0 |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Seasider | Not Tried | 0 |
| Hopdaemon - Golden Braid | Not Tried | 0 |
| West Berkshire - Good Old (or Ordinary) Boy | Not Tried | 0 |
| Hopdaemon - Green Daemon | Not Tried | 0 |
| Adnams - Broadside | Not Tried | 0 |
| Dark Star - Espresso Stout | Not Tried | 0 |
| Skinner's - Ginger Tosser | Not Tried | 0 |
| Shepherd Neame - Master Brew Bitter | Not Tried | 0 |
| Dartford Wobbler (re-named from Millis) - Gravesend Guzzler | Not Tried | 0 |
| Irving - Frigate Golden Bitter | Not Tried | 0 |
| Wadworth - Henry's Original IPA | Not Tried | 0 |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - She Sells Sea Shells | Not Tried | 0 |
| Goody Ales - Bleangate Brewery - Good Health | Not Tried | 0 |
Visits Details
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.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hopdaemon - Incubus | 4.00 | | |
| Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - London Pride | 4.10 | |
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.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 5 | 4.40 | | |
| Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - London Pride | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 7 | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Skinner's - Betty Stogs Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried |
15 Apr 2017 (Jack William)
Easter Saturday evening - very busy. A lot of diners.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adnams - Fat Sprat | 3.80 | | Punching above its weight on the flavour. Nice. |
| Westerham - Finchcocks Original | 3.50 | | Pleasant enough. |
| Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - London Pride | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Marston's - Pedigree | 4.50 | Not 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.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Star - Summer Meltdown | 4.80 | | Really fresh orangey bitter |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - The Friar's Ale | 4.30 | | Badged as Friars IPA. Really good golden IPA. Good condition. |
| Theakston - Old Peculier | 5.60 | | More 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 Bitter | 4.20 | | Good, inoffensive, not too memorable. |
| Whitstable - Oyster Stout | 4.50 | | Not so great, lacking condition and a touch sour |
| Goacher's - Real Mild Ale | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Hopdaemon - Golden Braid | 3.70 | Not Tried | |
| Adnams - Broadside | 4.70 | Not Tried | |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - DogBolter Dark Porter | 5.60 | Not Tried | |
| Goacher's - Gold Star | 5.10 | Not Tried | |
| Rudgate - Ruby Mild | 4.40 | Not Tried | |
| St Austell - Tribute | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Seasider | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Hopdaemon - Green Daemon | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Skinner's - Ginger Tosser | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Irving - Frigate Golden Bitter | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Goody Ales - Bleangate Brewery - Good Health | 3.60 | Not Tried | |
| Rockin Robin - Reckless Robin | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Caveman (latterly a cuckoo at Leatherbritches) - Neanderthal (superseded by 4.4% version) | 4.60 | Not Tried | |
| Adnams - Fat Sprat | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Musket - Fife & Drum Golden Ale | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Caveman (latterly a cuckoo at Leatherbritches) - Cavedweller | 5.80 | Not Tried | |
| Rockin Robin - Robin Redbest | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Oxfordshire Ales - Bull'ox | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Oxfordshire Ales - Oxford Best | 3.90 | Not Tried | |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Single Hop Saphir | 4.60 | Not 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.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goody Ales - Bleangate Brewery - Good Life | 3.90 | | |
| Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Red Top | 3.80 | | I think Old Dairy beers have really gone down hill. Perhaps they should concentrate on their core range. |
| Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - London Pride | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Eagle (formerly Wells & Young's, formerly Charles Wells, formerly Wells) - Bombardier (was Bombardier Glorious English) (use Eagle entry now please) | 4.10 | Not 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.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goacher's - Best Dark Ale (aka Original) | 4.10 | | A good half of the Dark |
| West Berkshire - Swift Pale Ale | 3.80 | | Started off with a weird "ham and mustard crisps" flavour but it grew on me. Nice |
| Ripple Steam - Milk Stout | 3.50 | | Sweet, black, slightly sour/tart. Nice |
| Goacher's - Real Mild Ale | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Hopdaemon - Golden Braid | 3.70 | Not Tried | |
| Hopdaemon - Incubus | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Goacher's - Gold Star | 5.10 | Not Tried | |
| Rudgate - Ruby Mild | 4.40 | Not Tried | |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 3 | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Whitstable - Oyster Stout | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| St Austell - Tribute | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| West Berkshire - Good Old (or Ordinary) Boy | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Dark Star - Espresso Stout | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Dartford Wobbler (re-named from Millis) - Gravesend Guzzler | 3.70 | Not Tried | |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - She Sells Sea Shells | 4.70 | Not Tried | |
| Whitstable - Winkle Picker | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Common Conspiracy | 4.80 | Not Tried | |
| Dartford Wobbler (re-named from Millis) - Kentish Best | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Royal Tunbridge Wells - Royal Best Bitter | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Royal Tunbridge Wells - Dipper | 3.70 | Not Tried | |
| Abigale - Bramling | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Abigale - Nailbourne | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Ripple Steam - Original Best Bitter | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Hopdaemon - Skrimshander IPA | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Theakston - Royal Salute | 5.00 | Not 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.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | 3.40 | | Great 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 Stout | 4.50 | | A 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 Porter | 4.40 | | This 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 Top | 4.30 | | Superb. Orangy colour, foam head, sweet stewed fruit aroma with marmalade and zesty orange taste. |
| Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Blue Top | 4.80 | | Similar 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 Axe | 4.20 | | Mid brown standard bitter. Some sulphur smell, very bitter finish, very good. |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Rye Pale Ale | 4.00 | | Golden 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 Red | 4.40 | | All 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 Braid | 3.70 | Not Tried | |
| Hopdaemon - Incubus | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 5 | 4.40 | Not Tried | |
| Adnams - Broadside | 4.70 | Not Tried | |
| Shepherd Neame - Master Brew Bitter | 3.70 | Not Tried | On in the pub |
| Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - London Pride | 4.10 | Not Tried | On in the pub |
| Wadworth - Henry's Original IPA | 3.60 | Not Tried | |
| Elgood's - Black Dog Mild | 3.60 | Not Tried | |
| Skinner's - Betty Stogs Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Skinner's - Cornish Knocker Ale | 4.50 | Not Tried | Had some of Pete's and it was really good. |
| RCH - PG Steam | 3.90 | Not Tried | |
| Whitstable - Native Bitter | 3.70 | Not Tried | Pete had this and was impressed |
| Eagle (formerly Wells & Young's, formerly Charles Wells, formerly Wells) - Wells Bombardier (now superseded by 4.1% version) | 4.30 | Not Tried | On in the pub |
| Adnams - Gunhill | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Green Hop Ale (2010-11) | 5.20 | Not Tried | |
| Hopdaemon - Skrimshander IPA | 4.50 | Not 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.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goacher's - Best Dark Ale (aka Original) | 4.10 |  | Is 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 Ale | 4.30 | | Clear 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 Stout | 4.60 | | They 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 Leaves | 3.40 | | Beautiful 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. 7 | 3.80 | | My idea of a session beer. Good biscuit |
| Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | 3.40 | | Yes hoppy, but a styranghe bit of mint in the mouth, but then good lasting hoppy finish. |
| Old Mill - Fall Over | 4.50 | | Pale 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 Hearted | 4.70 | | Still 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 Ale | 4.00 | | Been 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.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hopdaemon - Skrimshander IPA | 4.50 | | In great nick. Really malty bitter. |
| Westerham - Finchcocks Original | 3.50 | | Light biscuity bitter. Not bad at all. |
| Acorn - Darkness | 4.20 | | Nice mild. Fruity with lots of rosted malt. |
27 Sep 2008 (Brian)
Saturday afternoon session. There were a good few people in, although many were sitting outside in the sun as it was warmer than in the marquee. You can tell that a lot of effort goes into this event, the beers were in great condition (the landlord warned us off the Innkeepers as he said it wasn't right), the open stage was a good idea (the bar girl's rendition of Blue Moon being the highlight)and the overall atmosphere was really pleasant.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Austell - Tribute | 4.20 | | This was the best beer for me. Clear amber colour, bubbly white head, lots of soft fruit in the taste and a bitter finish. Lovely. |
| Orkney (Sinclair) - Dark Island | 4.60 | | Smoky aroma, sour fruit dominates. Excellent. |
| Robinsons - Unicorn | 4.20 | | I had this in Cumbria where it was served with a sparkler, the result was a creamy, soapy brew. Here is was on gravity and it was like a different beer entirely. This was fruity with a sherbert sweetness, marmalade finish. Excellent condition. |
| Oakleaf (now see Fallen Acorn entries) - Heart of Oak | 4.50 | | Mid brown beer with white bubbly disappearing head. This was a pretty standard ale but again in excellent condition. |
| Nethergate (was Nethergate Growler for a while then name reverted) - Mad Bob | 4.40 | | A bit of sweaty hop aroma. Mid brown colour, quite sweet but fresh. |
| Hidden - Potential | 4.20 | | Light brown, some hop and spice, really quite good. |
About The Haywain
Summary of Beer Scores
| Total | |
|---|---|
| 4 |
| 46 |
| 53 |
| 15 |
 | 1 |
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 44 times, seen 157 different beers and tried 85 of them.
Postcode: CT3 1NB