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The Haywain (Free House)

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Beer (sort)Average Score (sort)No. Samples (sort)
Whitstable - East India Pale Ale (or EIPA)Exceptional1
Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)Exceptional1
Dark Star - Golden GateExcellent1
Potbelly - Pigs Do Fly!Excellent1
Westerham - Little Scotney Green Hop AleGood1
Burton Bridge - Staffordshire Knot Brown AleGood1
Shepherd Neame - Late RedGood1
Marston's - Burton BitterAcceptable1
Elgood's - Cambridge BitterAcceptable1
Eagle (formerly Wells & Young's, formerly Charles Wells, formerly Wells) - Wells Bombardier (now superseded by 4.1% version)Acceptable1
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - East Kent Pale AleAcceptable1
Potbelly - AislingNot Tried0
Whitstable - Native BitterNot Tried0
Wyre Piddle - PiddlesnerNot Tried0
Westerham - Finchcocks OriginalNot Tried0
Banks's - Young's London Original (was Bitter) - previously brewed in Bedford and at WychwoodNot Tried0
Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - London PrideNot Tried0
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 5Not Tried0
Shepherd Neame - Master Brew BitterNot Tried0
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - DogBolter Dark PorterNot Tried0
Westerham - British Bulldog "BB" (was 4.3%)Not Tried0
Whitstable - Oyster StoutNot Tried0
Burton Bridge - Golden DeliciousNot Tried0
Potbelly - Beijing BlackNot Tried0
Shepherd Neame - Kent's BestNot Tried0
Burton Bridge - XL BitterNot Tried0
Picture 1. The Haywain, Bramling, Kent

Visits Details

17 Aug 2008 (Brian)
Pretty busy on a Sunday lunchtime. Good, friendly atmosphere and the landlord informed me of their forthcoming beer fest, which will be in it's 3rd year I think.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Marston's - Burton Bitter3.80AcceptableQuite nice if standard brown, reddish beer. A little sulphour, a bit of malt, but a little thin in the mouth. OK.
Shepherd Neame - Master Brew Bitter3.70Not Tried
Banks's - Young's London Original (was Bitter) - previously brewed in Bedford and at Wychwood3.70Not Tried
Eagle (formerly Wells & Young's, formerly Charles Wells, formerly Wells) - Wells Bombardier (now superseded by 4.1% version)4.30Not Tried
30 Sep 2006 (Brian)
Bramling beer festival, held in marquee in the gardens of the pub. Good selection of ales, live music on a stage made out of hay bales, plenty of seating and a friendly crowd of people on Saturday afternoon. The staff were very friendly and informative - an excellent afternoon session.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Whitstable - East India Pale Ale (or EIPA)4.10ExceptionalFirst ale that hit me as I was looking at the beer list. Started off with this (it's becoming a bit of a habit). Slightly sweaty hop aroma and with a surprisingly creamy head. Fresh prickly feel in the mouth with the usual excellent citrus twang.
Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)3.40ExceptionalStunning. Fresh and clear. Pale golden straw colour, with hay in the aroma. Citrus and mangoes and bananas in the mouth. Clean finish. Could have drunk it all day.
Dark Star - Golden Gate4.50ExcellentPale golden colour, thin bubbly disappearing head. Orange citrus aroma, with bitter marmalade feel. Excellent.
Potbelly - Pigs Do Fly!4.40ExcellentGolden ale with intense citrus aroma. Excellent bitter-sweet balance.
Shepherd Neame - Late Red4.50GoodDark fruit aroma. Mid brown, no head. Good bitterness and balance. A bit yeasty but easy drinking.
Burton Bridge - Staffordshire Knot Brown Ale4.80GoodA slight sulphorous aroma. Mid brown clolour with no head. Sour cherries and new carpets in the mouth, followed by bitterness with a hint of caramel. Flinty and slightly sour finish.
Westerham - Little Scotney Green Hop Ale4.30GoodLight brown with a thin white head. Slightly spicy aroma with citrus finish.
Elgood's - Cambridge Bitter3.80AcceptableLast one of the day. It was mid brown with no head. Spice and fruit aroma, but with a thin finish. Not bad, but unremarkable.
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - East Kent Pale Ale4.10AcceptablePale golden with thin bubbly head. A bit thin in the mouth, but with good bitter bite. Not particularly memorable.
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 54.40Not Tried
Shepherd Neame - Master Brew Bitter3.70Not Tried
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - DogBolter Dark Porter5.60Not TriedListed as Gadd's faithful dogbolter, but I assumed that it was the same as the winter porter.
Westerham - British Bulldog "BB" (was 4.3%)4.10Not Tried
Whitstable - Oyster Stout4.50Not Tried
Burton Bridge - Golden Delicious3.80Not Tried
Potbelly - Beijing Black4.40Not Tried
Shepherd Neame - Kent's Best4.10Not Tried
Burton Bridge - XL Bitter4.00Not Tried
Potbelly - Aisling4.00Not Tried
Whitstable - Native Bitter3.70Not Tried
Wyre Piddle - Piddlesner4.30Not Tried
Westerham - Finchcocks Original3.50Not Tried
14 Nov 2004 (Andrew)
Noticed a few pump clips behind the bar which were: Pedigree, John Smiths and Courage Best. He had London Pride on but most people were drinking Guiness. Friendly enough pub with a locals feel
BeerABVScoreNotes
Eagle (formerly Wells & Young's, formerly Charles Wells, formerly Wells) - Wells Bombardier (now superseded by 4.1% version)4.30AcceptableTasted quite hoppy for Bombardier but nice all the same
Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - London Pride4.10Not Tried

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About The Haywain

The pub sign. The Haywain, Bramling, Kent

Summary of Beer Scores

 Total
Exceptional4
Excellent64
Good59
Acceptable16
Poor2

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 and 2025.

We have visited this pub 53 times, seen 178 different beers and tried 101 of them.

Map location

Postcode: CT3 1NB