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The Firkin Alehouse (Free House)

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Beer (sort)Average Score (sort)No. Samples (sort)
Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)Exceptional1
Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - JaipurExceptional1
Dark Star - American Pale Ale (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)Exceptional1
Arbor Ales - SorachiExceptional1
Oakham - Bishops FarewellExceptional1
G2 - Vela BlondeExcellent1
Tonbridge - TraditionalExcellent1
Dark Star - Hylder BlondeExcellent1
Salopian - VortexExcellent1
Tonbridge - RusticExcellent1
Goacher's - 1066 Old AleExcellent1
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Rye Pale AleExcellent1
Oakham - Green Devil IPAExcellent1
G2 - Otava IPAGood1
Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Single Hop AgnusAcceptable1
Oakham - CitraAcceptable1
Canterbury Brewers - West Coast IPAPoor1
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - She Sells Sea ShellsNot Tried0
Oakham - JHBNot Tried0
Arbor Ales - Beech BlondeNot Tried0
Plain Ales - Arty FartyNot Tried0
Goldmark - WarriorNot Tried0
Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Silver TopNot Tried0
Canterbury Brewers - Foundry Man's GoldNot Tried0
Time and Tide - Smugglers StoutNot Tried0
Nelson - Press GangNot Tried0
First Chop Brewing Arm - AVANot Tried0
Rooster's - YPA (Yorkshire Pale Ale)Not Tried0
Plain Ales - Inn The SunNot Tried0
360° - Pacific Red #45Not Tried0
Mad Squirrel (formerly Red Squirrel) - Legally BlondeNot Tried0
Hop Fuzz - Yellow ZingerNot Tried0
Goacher's - Fine Light AleNot Tried0
Tonbridge - CoppernobNot Tried0
Picture 1. The Firkin Alehouse, Folkestone, Kent
Picture 2. The Firkin Alehouse, Folkestone, Kent
Picture 3. The Firkin Alehouse, Folkestone, Kent
Michael Croxford. Photos are of the original site, not the later one or one after the second move.

Visits Details

04 Aug 2015 (ChrisE)
Early evening and busy. I could not resist a taster of Vimto Cider.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Dark Star - Hylder Blonde4.20Excellent
Tonbridge - Rustic4.00Excellent
Oakham - Green Devil IPA6.00Excellent
02 May 2015 (ChrisE)
Saturday evening with a good crowd and Neil's Doppelganger serving the ale.
BeerABVScoreNotes
G2 - Vela Blonde4.20Excellent
G2 - Otava IPA4.40Good
Dark Star - American Pale Ale (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)4.70Not Tried
Tonbridge - Coppernob3.80Not Tried
21 Mar 2015 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening until close. The Micropub culture of strangers talking was rife tonight.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Goacher's - 1066 Old Ale6.70ExcellentSay no more! The devil's brew tonight
Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Single Hop Agnus5.20AcceptableBit flat but also had little nose or bitterness from this Polish hop
Mad Squirrel (formerly Red Squirrel) - Legally Blonde4.00Not TriedBlackboarded as "Hazy". A taster I found to be very sharp
Hop Fuzz - Yellow Zinger3.70Not Tried
25 Nov 2014 (ChrisE)
Early afternoon and just a few in.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Salopian - Vortex4.00ExcellentA superb pint.
Oakham - JHB3.80Not Tried
360° - Pacific Red #454.50Not Tried
20 Nov 2014 (ChrisE)
The final pub of a tour of pubs from Hythe to Folkestone. A good micro-pub.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Tonbridge - Traditional3.60Excellent
Rooster's - YPA (Yorkshire Pale Ale)4.10Not Tried
Plain Ales - Inn The Sun4.60Not Tried
02 Nov 2014 (Ian)
Relaxed Sunday lunchtime. Newspapers. Jaipur. Heaven
BeerABVScoreNotes
Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Jaipur5.90ExceptionalUnbelievable condition perfect flavours good bitterness looks perfect. Just the best.
Nelson - Press Gang4.30Not Tried
First Chop Brewing Arm - AVA3.50Not Tried
17 Oct 2014 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening. Pretty much heaving and the Guv doing a great solo job with table service around the human obstructions. Found a seat after an uncomfortable period standing at the high barrel table top.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Rye Pale Ale4.00ExcellentGreat condition
Canterbury Brewers - West Coast IPA5.60PoorSeemed a rather sour sweet incomplete brew with little condition. Flat
Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Silver Top4.50Not TriedRan out
Canterbury Brewers - Foundry Man's Gold4.00Not Tried
Time and Tide - Smugglers Stout5.20Not Tried
17 Sep 2014 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Oakham - Citra4.20AcceptableA bit flat so not the normal zest
Plain Ales - Arty Farty3.90Not Tried
Goldmark - Warrior4.60Not Tried
05 Sep 2014 (Ian)
Friday evening and chat about bicycles, speed dating and beer. Magic
BeerABVScoreNotes
Dark Star - American Pale Ale (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)4.70ExceptionalPerfect. Couldn't believe how good it was
Arbor Ales - Sorachi4.70ExceptionalSorachi ace hops. Pineapple and coconut milk. Pina colada flavour. An amazing body sensation.
Oakham - JHB3.80Not TriedA sign of how good the other beers were, I didn't have this
Arbor Ales - Beech Blonde4.90Not Tried
29 Aug 2014 (Ian)
Friday late afternoon. The subject of the Folkestone Triennial art festival was in the air. Beer was excellent
BeerABVScoreNotes
Oakham - Bishops Farewell4.60ExceptionalPerfect condition. Perfect hops
Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)3.40ExceptionalLast couple of casks I've had it's a little bit more bitter than before and maybe a touch less fruity but the condition and flavour and impact on me was flawless
Goacher's - Fine Light Ale3.70Not Tried
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - She Sells Sea Shells4.70Not Tried

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About The Firkin Alehouse

The pub sign. The Firkin Alehouse, Folkestone, Kent

Summary of Beer Scores

 Total
Exceptional26
Excellent80
Good69
Acceptable42
Poor2

Website.

The pub is found in Folkestone, Kent, CT20 2AY.

Micropub close to Folkestone bus station which opened in November 2012, no music or slot machines and the use of mobile phones is banned with a fine imposed for disturbing the peace. Same level gravity stillage for real ales and ciders from a separate temperature controlled cellar room. Usually at seat service. In its original location had an impressive pumpclip display of beers sold to date in the unisex toilet all laid out by brewery! Ashford, Folkestone & Romney Marsh CAMRA Branch Pub of the Year 2014. Moved overnight 24/25 September 2017 from 18 to 20 Cheriton Place into new premises and now with a bar counter to obtain service. Moved a second time to No 21 other side of street in December 2022 now with high stools and tables at front and lower sofas and seating in a snug area towards the rear.

We have visited this pub 117 times, seen 248 different beers and tried 165 of them.

Map location

Postcode: CT20 2AY