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The George & Dragon (Free House)

We believe this building is NO LONGER a pub

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Beer (sort)Average Score (sort)No. Samples (sort)
Kent - PaleExcellent1
East London (ELB) - Foundation BitterExcellent1
Devilfish - Satan ClausExcellent1
Caveman (latterly a cuckoo at Leatherbritches) - Chinook (brewed at Kent Brewery)Excellent4
Marble - Lagonda IPAExcellent1
Caveman (latterly a cuckoo at Leatherbritches) - Citra (brewed at Kent Brewery)Excellent4
Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - SequoiaGood1
Whitstable - Oyster StoutGood1
Marble - Pint (was 3.9%)Good1
Rooster's - YPA (Yorkshire Pale Ale)Good1
Westerham - Scotney Green Hop Harvest AleNot Tried0
Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Lord MarplesNot Tried0
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 5Not Tried0
Redemption - Urban DuskNot Tried0
Marble - DobberNot Tried0
Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Silver TopNot Tried0
Eagle (formerly Wells & Young's, formerly Charles Wells, formerly Wells) - Bombardier (was Bombardier Glorious English) (use Eagle entry now please)Not Tried0
Dark Star - RevelationNot Tried0
Conwy (Bragdy Conwy) - St. David'sNot Tried0
Marble - DraftNot Tried0
Blue Monkey - Funky Gibbon (previously called Sanctuary)Not Tried0
Silver Brewhouse (formerly Raw) - SolsticeNot Tried0
RCH - Steamed Flames BitterNot Tried0
Rooster's - BuckeyeNot Tried0
Westerham - Little Scotney Green Hop AleNot Tried0
Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Green Hop AleNot Tried0
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Green Hop Ale (2012)Not Tried0
Canterbury Brewers - Single Hopped PaleNot Tried0
Picture 1. The George & Dragon, Swanscombe, Kent

Visits Details

20 Nov 2012 (Magnus Greel)
Mid afternoon and fairly quiet, good beer range alas I've only listed the one I drank. Good value range of snacks available.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Caveman (latterly a cuckoo at Leatherbritches) - Chinook (brewed at Kent Brewery)4.30Excellent
20 Nov 2012 (ChrisE)
Early afternoon, we were made very welcome and stayed longer than originally planned. We enjoyed some good value filled rolls which helped soak up the beer. The pub will be holding a mini-beer festival from 14-16 December. I have not listed all the beers that were available on this visit.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Marble - Lagonda IPA5.00ExcellentSlightly hazy but delicious.
Caveman (latterly a cuckoo at Leatherbritches) - Chinook (brewed at Kent Brewery)4.30ExcellentStill brewed at Kent Brewery. The barman was unable to tell us when the new kit at the pub is expected to become operational.
11 Nov 2012 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening visit. First chance to try Caveman Brewery's new Chinook as you can see below.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Caveman (latterly a cuckoo at Leatherbritches) - Chinook (brewed at Kent Brewery)4.30ExceptionalNew brew from Caveman. I must compliment it for saying on the clip "Brewed under license at Kent Brewery" - totally honest and nowt to hide. This beer was faultless today.
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 54.40Not Tried
Marble - Pint (was 3.9%)3.40Not TriedJust gone
Marble - Dobber5.90Not TriedJust gone
Eagle (formerly Wells & Young's, formerly Charles Wells, formerly Wells) - Bombardier (was Bombardier Glorious English) (use Eagle entry now please)4.10Not Tried
Devilfish - Satan Claus5.50Not Tried
10 Nov 2012 (Pedro)
Afternoon - rolls at £1-50 were excellent
BeerABVScoreNotes
Devilfish - Satan Claus5.50Excellent
Caveman (latterly a cuckoo at Leatherbritches) - Chinook (brewed at Kent Brewery)4.30Excellent
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 54.40Not Tried
Marble - Pint (was 3.9%)3.40Not Tried
Marble - Dobber5.90Not Tried
Eagle (formerly Wells & Young's, formerly Charles Wells, formerly Wells) - Bombardier (was Bombardier Glorious English) (use Eagle entry now please)4.10Not Tried
11 Oct 2012 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening visit prompted by ChrisE's comment that a second brew of Cavemen Citra was on offer. Warm welcome and informative chat with the Caveman brewer about future plans for the basement. His next planned beer is a Chinook.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Caveman (latterly a cuckoo at Leatherbritches) - Citra (brewed at Kent Brewery)4.10ExcellentA second brew of this beer currently produced on the Kent Brewery. I felt this was less hop harsh and more rounded and drinkable
Eagle (formerly Wells & Young's, formerly Charles Wells, formerly Wells) - Bombardier (was Bombardier Glorious English) (use Eagle entry now please)4.10Not Tried
East London (ELB) - Foundation Bitter4.20Not Tried
Canterbury Brewers - Single Hopped Pale4.60Not Tried
Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Green Hop Ale4.30Not Tried
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Green Hop Ale (2012)4.80Not Tried
Westerham - Scotney Green Hop Harvest Ale4.00Not Tried
09 Oct 2012 (ChrisE)
I arrived just before 1pm only to discover that the pub did not open until 4pm, so I caught the bus to Dartford, and returned here at exactly 4pm to hear the delightful sound of the door being unbolted. I had a good chat with the barman about Caveman Brewery.
BeerABVScoreNotes
East London (ELB) - Foundation Bitter4.20Excellent
Caveman (latterly a cuckoo at Leatherbritches) - Citra (brewed at Kent Brewery)4.10ExcellentI was told that this was from the second brew of Citra, from the Kent Brewery plant.
Westerham - Little Scotney Green Hop Ale4.30Not Tried
Eagle (formerly Wells & Young's, formerly Charles Wells, formerly Wells) - Bombardier (was Bombardier Glorious English) (use Eagle entry now please)4.10Not Tried
Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Green Hop Ale4.30Not Tried
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Green Hop Ale (2012)4.80Not Tried
16 Sep 2012 (Philip Pirrip)
First visit ever to Swanscombe. A pub where conversation is king and a major interest in real ales and bottled (lots of Kernel about).
BeerABVScoreNotes
Rooster's - YPA (Yorkshire Pale Ale)4.10GoodAfter the Citra this tasted very light indeed
Caveman (latterly a cuckoo at Leatherbritches) - Citra (brewed at Kent Brewery)4.10GoodA very strong distinct mono-hop flavour
Silver Brewhouse (formerly Raw) - Solstice3.80Not Tried
Eagle (formerly Wells & Young's, formerly Charles Wells, formerly Wells) - Bombardier (was Bombardier Glorious English) (use Eagle entry now please)4.10Not Tried
RCH - Steamed Flames Bitter4.50Not Tried
Rooster's - Buckeye3.50Not Tried
15 Sep 2012 (Ian)
Friendly corner pub. Saturday lunchtime and 3 dogs were playing in the bar. Ran into the brewer of Caveman. Good beer selection and ciders
BeerABVScoreNotes
Caveman (latterly a cuckoo at Leatherbritches) - Citra (brewed at Kent Brewery)4.10ExcellentLovely citra hops all over this pale ale
Marble - Draft3.90Not Tried
Blue Monkey - Funky Gibbon (previously called Sanctuary)4.10Not Tried
10 Sep 2012 (James Hayward)
Loads of real ale, bottled beers and nice atmosphere
BeerABVScoreNotes
Whitstable - Oyster Stout4.50GoodNice keg stout, really smooth and lovely stout flavours
Marble - Pint (was 3.9%)3.40GoodTypically lovely marble brew
Caveman (latterly a cuckoo at Leatherbritches) - Citra (brewed at Kent Brewery)4.10Not TriedThis is brewed under license at Kent Brewery whilst they build their own brewery at the George and Dragon.
10 Mar 2012 (ChrisE)
I have passed this pub on the bus many times in the past few years, and have seen it change from a run down looking pub to a closed pub. I was surprised to see it re-opened with an A board outside advertising eight real ales. Well I just had to get off the bus. There was a good welcome from the landlady, and a good mix of customers. The pub has been refurbished, and there are plans to provide restaurant facilities and accommodation in the near future. The bottled beers on sale included offerings from Kernel, Brew Dog, Curious Brew, Goose Island, Anchor Steam, Flying Dog, Odell, Brooklyn, and Buxton. A note for Ian, it is only one or two bus stops from Ebbsfleet station.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Kent - Pale4.00ExcellentA good pale and hoppy bitter ale.
Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Sequoia4.50GoodAmber ale with citrus notes.
Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Lord Marples4.00Not Tried
Redemption - Urban Dusk4.60Not Tried
Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Silver Top4.50Not Tried
Eagle (formerly Wells & Young's, formerly Charles Wells, formerly Wells) - Bombardier (was Bombardier Glorious English) (use Eagle entry now please)4.10Not Tried
Dark Star - Revelation5.70Not Tried
Conwy (Bragdy Conwy) - St. David's4.50Not Tried

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About The George & Dragon

The pub sign. The George & Dragon, Swanscombe, Kent

Summary of Beer Scores

 Total
Exceptional2
Excellent56
Good53
Acceptable18
Poor1

The pub is found in Swanscombe, Kent, DA10 0LQ.

Large pub just a minute's walk from Swanscombe railway station. U shaped bar with seating on all sides. Handy for Ebbsfleet's football ground. A pub brought back from the dead by the current owners who have now installed a brewery, Caveman, in the cellar. Has a small restaurant room which is very popular on Sunday lunchtimes. CAMRA Gravesend & Darent Valley branch Pub of the Year for 2013 and again in 2014. CAMRA West Kent Pub of the Year 2013. Regular beer festivals. 6 handpumps and always has up to 4 ciders in boxes for sale. Extensive range of bottled beers. Closed 31st August 2019 when licensees retired, now future is uncertain. Conversion to a Domino's Pizza franchise apparently authorised by planners.

We have visited this pub 61 times, seen 176 different beers and tried 93 of them.

Map location

Postcode: DA10 0LQ