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The Firkin Alehouse (Free House)

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Beer (sort)Average Score (sort)No. Samples (sort)
Arbor Ales - SorachiExceptional1
Burning Sky - Plateau (was 3.5%)Exceptional1
Goacher's - 1066 Old AleExceptional1
Oakham - JHBExceptional1
Oakham - Bishops FarewellExceptional2
Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)Exceptional1
Dark Star - American Pale Ale (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)Exceptional1
Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Silver TopExcellent1
Oakham - CitraAcceptable1
Tonbridge - Alsace GoldAcceptable3
Musket - Fife & Drum Golden AleAcceptable2
Arbor Ales - Beech BlondeNot Tried0
Plain Ales - Arty FartyNot Tried0
Goldmark - WarriorNot Tried0
Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Red TopNot Tried0
Goldmark - American Hop Idol APANot Tried0
Hop Fuzz - TriumphNot Tried0
360° - West Coast IPANot Tried0
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - SeasiderNot Tried0
Hop Fuzz - Anniv3rsaryNot Tried0
Kent - Beyond the PaleNot Tried0
Pig & Porter - Starvation PointNot Tried0
Goacher's - Fine Light AleNot Tried0
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - She Sells Sea ShellsNot 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

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
22 Jul 2014 (Ian)
My birthday. And what beer did they have on ? Oakham JHB the beer that turned me on to great beer. And then who should walk in ? Charlie and Frank from the Mogul, the pub where I drank JHB for the first time 14 years ago. Unbelievable. What a day
BeerABVScoreNotes
Oakham - JHB3.80ExceptionalUnbelievable. My favourite beer in the UK
Kent - Beyond the Pale5.40Not Tried
Pig & Porter - Starvation Point4.50Not Tried
06 Jun 2014 (Ian)
Friday early evening lovely sunshine and a great beer on.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Burning Sky - Plateau (was 3.5%)3.40ExceptionalFantastic easy drinking beer.
Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Silver Top4.50ExcellentHad it yesterday and mixed it with the cherry cider. Lovely
Musket - Fife & Drum Golden Ale3.80Not Tried
Hop Fuzz - Anniv3rsary4.20Not Tried
05 Jun 2014 (Philip Pirrip)
Afternoon. Always feel some more soft furnishing is needed here to dampen sound.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Tonbridge - Alsace Gold4.00AcceptableFlat, no condition, chore to drink
Musket - Fife & Drum Golden Ale3.80AcceptableFlat, no condition, chore to drink
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Seasider4.30Not Tried
05 Jun 2014 (ChrisE)
Afternoon visit, the landlord was on holiday and Steve was running the bar.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Tonbridge - Alsace Gold4.00Good
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Seasider4.30Not Tried
Musket - Fife & Drum Golden Ale3.80Not Tried
05 Jun 2014 (HSB)
14:30 The seven of us plus the other drinkers filled the room. Chris E appeared to know everyone. Good atmosphere.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Tonbridge - Alsace Gold4.00AcceptableNo condition, flat.
Musket - Fife & Drum Golden Ale3.80AcceptableNo condition, flat.
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Seasider4.30Not Tried
09 May 2014 (Ian)
Friday after work. Sun happy weekend to look forward to.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Oakham - Bishops Farewell4.60ExceptionalArse achingly beautiful. Perfect condition aroma flavour finish
Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)3.40Not TriedHad it last night and not quite at it's best
Hop Fuzz - Triumph4.80Not Tried
360° - West Coast IPA5.60Not Tried
29 Apr 2014 (Ian)
Fantastic late afternoon session. The blue cheese was excellent.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Goacher's - 1066 Old Ale6.70ExceptionalIs there a better beer brewed in Kent? Over 20 years I would have to say no. Massive thanks to Neil for keeping this cask since the winter. Amazing liquorice port flavours some hop dryness on the finish. Can still taste it on the finish on the train half an hour later. Just a touch of sourness. But like sour dark plums. Awesome.
Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Red Top3.80Not Tried
Oakham - Citra4.20Not TriedI liked the Goachers so much I did not have one of my favourite beers.
Goldmark - American Hop Idol APA4.40Not Tried

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About The Firkin Alehouse

The pub sign. The Firkin Alehouse, Folkestone, Kent

Summary of Beer Scores

 Total
Exceptional26
Excellent82
Good74
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 120 times, seen 252 different beers and tried 170 of them.

Map location

Postcode: CT20 2AY