PubsandBeer
Red Lion (Free House)
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| Beer (sort) | Average Score (sort) | No. Samples (sort) |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Top - De Montfort 1265 |  | 1 |
| Big Lamp - Prince Bishop Ale | | 1 |
| Goacher's - 1066 Old Ale | | 3 |
| AllGates - Back O' Bourke | | 1 |
| Goacher's - Real Mild Ale | | 2 |
| Goacher's - DSB (house beer) |  | 2 |
| Goacher's - Silver Star | | 1 |
| Goacher's - Gold Star |  | 1 |
| Goacher's - Real Mild Ale (now use separate 3.4% entry) | | 1 |
| Hop Fuzz - Boubourn | Not Tried | 0 |
| Bank Top - Sweeney's | Not Tried | 0 |
| Westerham - Double Stout | Not Tried | 0 |
| Northumberland - Uncle Fester | Not Tried | 0 |
| Whitstable - Black Lager | Not Tried | 0 |
| Magic Dragon (formerly New Plassey) - Thriller | Not Tried | 0 |
| Westerham - General Wolfe 1759 Maple Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Whitstable - Native Bitter | Not Tried | 0 |
| Whitstable - Pearl of Kent | Not Tried | 0 |
Visits Details
23 Aug 2015 (Jack William)
Sunday lunchtime - opened bang on noon and about a dozen people turned up in 5 minutes. Has been on my wish list for some time and it didn't disappoint. Doris holding court in the corner of the main bar. Excellent.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| AllGates - Back O' Bourke | 4.20 | | Very flavourful - excellent condition. |
| Bank Top - De Montfort 1265 | 3.80 | | Light, fresh with plenty of hoppy flavour. |
| Goacher's - Real Mild Ale | 3.40 | Not Tried |
02 Aug 2015 (Alenomore)
A long awaited return and an early Sunday evening visit. I was last here in November 2014. The sun was setting nicely and the small, friendly crowd made for some interesting conversation.
Doris, the 90 years young landlady, her Daughter Kate and barman Bob, were all ok and in fine form.
The best pub in Kent, bar none, and recently awarded that merit officially, by the local branch of CAMRA, there pub of the year 2015, with another framed plaque to adorn the already, full to capacity wall. Well done. We like it here and finally departed at 2215.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goacher's - Real Mild Ale | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Goacher's - Gold Star | 5.10 | Not Tried | |
| Whitstable - Native Bitter | 3.70 | Not Tried |
25 Jul 2015 (ChrisE)
The full lunchtime session and very busy from opening. Roger Protz was in attendance to present Doris with awards for thirty consecutive years in the Good Beer Guide and for the local Camra Branch Pub of the Year 2015.
A local cheese wholesaler kindly donated some superb cheeses which nicely complemented the other nibbles provided.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goacher's - Real Mild Ale | 3.40 | | A superb traditional dark mild in excellent condition. |
| Goacher's - 1066 Old Ale | 6.70 | | Wow |
| Big Lamp - Prince Bishop Ale | 4.80 | | |
| Goacher's - DSB (house beer) | 3.80 | | Selling very well today. |
| Goacher's - Silver Star | 4.20 | |
21 Jul 2015 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening. A warm, balmy night but cool inside. I forget how good this place is betwixt visits and how often we used to come here. Tonight packed just after opening time as there was a Parish Council meeting in one of the rooms. We met, serendipitously, Brian, John and Martin and had a good chat with another enthusiastic (of unspoilt pubs) stranger who was keeping a photo diary. "Traditional" cherry brandy with our valedictory pints. Superb red sky, partly shrouded by a long narrow cloud, made for a notable walk back to Appledore railway station afterwards.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goacher's - 1066 Old Ale | 6.70 | | The dog's, as a beer |
| Goacher's - Real Mild Ale | 3.40 | | |
| Goacher's - Gold Star | 5.10 | | Never a great brew |
| Goacher's - DSB (house beer) | 3.80 | | Doris's Special Bitter (presumably) - the house beer. Very malty and a lack of any hop smack |
10 Jan 2015 (Ian)
Lovely pub. Doris is getting a little doddery now. But still fantastic.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goacher's - 1066 Old Ale | 6.70 | | Strong fruity lovely. |
| Goacher's - Real Mild Ale (now use separate 3.4% entry) | 3.60 | | Last half out of the polypin. Good though. |
| Whitstable - Native Bitter | 3.70 | Not Tried | |
| Whitstable - Pearl of Kent | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Hop Fuzz - Boubourn | 5.00 | Not Tried |
30 Nov 2014 (Alenomore)
Refreshing ride for a couple of hours of good company. Whilst in the pub today I bought a copy of the new book, Kent Smuggler's Pubs, an excellent read for anyone interested in the history of what this area is famous for. A 'must have', or even better, a Xmas present for someone special? Full of local facts, historical information and the locations of all the Inns and places of ill repute, all related to this huge black market activity that prevailed in our nation between circa 1700-1850. And I proudly got my copy signed for prosperity by Doris and Kate too. Recommended.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goacher's - Real Mild Ale | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Goacher's - DSB (house beer) | 3.80 | Not Tried |
09 Nov 2014 (Alenomore)
Afternoon ride-out stop and the usual good natured local crowd in. Some post-Halloween Ales still available too.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goacher's - Real Mild Ale | 3.40 | Not Tried |
02 Nov 2014 (Alenomore)
Lunchtime and a welcome haven from the weather of Noah proportions to hit this part of Kent today! Good crowd and the annual post-Halloween/Pumpkin festival of Friday night meant 8 ales available from the cask. Still the best pub in Kent i.m.h.o....
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goacher's - Real Mild Ale | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Goacher's - 1066 Old Ale | 6.70 | Not Tried | My friend tried this and another pint to be sure... |
| Bank Top - Sweeney's | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Westerham - Double Stout | 5.50 | Not Tried | |
| Northumberland - Uncle Fester | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Whitstable - Black Lager | 4.70 | Not Tried | |
| Magic Dragon (formerly New Plassey) - Thriller | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Westerham - General Wolfe 1759 Maple Ale | 4.00 | Not Tried |
26 Oct 2014 (Alenomore)
Lunchtime visit whilst out riding. Pumpkins in place for the upcoming annual Halloween/Pumpkin Festivals?
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goacher's - Real Mild Ale | 3.40 | Not Tried |
21 Sep 2014 (Alenomore)
Lunchtime and a late flying visit having been to the nearby bike show in Hamstreet. Usual's in. Nice day.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goacher's - Real Mild Ale | 3.40 | Not Tried |
About the Red Lion
Summary of Beer Scores
| Total | |
|---|---|
 | 28 |
| 139 |
| 101 |
| 48 |
 | 5 |
The pub is found in Snargate, Kent, TN29 9UQ.
One of the best pubs in England. It's in CAMRA's national pub inventory because it hasn't really changed much in the last 100 years. In fact in 2011 the Jemison family celebrated 100 years of running the pub. All beers are on gravity and Goacher's is a regular. It's locally known as Doris's after the last landlady. Before that it was Alf's. A 20 minute (no more no less) brisk walk from / to Appledore railway station. Local CAMRA branch Pub of the Year 2015. The handpumps atop the pewter bar counter were used once upon a time but not now. Extensive garden for fair-weather use. Regrettably Doris died in April 2016. The pub closed for some weeks as a result of the bereavement. Re-opened, hopefully forever, on Saturday 11th June 2016. Presume it will soon become known as Kate's! Card payments now accepted here.
We have visited this pub 141 times, seen 213 different beers and tried 128 of them.
Postcode: TN29 9UQ