PubsandBeer

History: Home > The Firkin Alehouse

The Firkin Alehouse (Free House)

[Back to most recent] [Previous Visits] [More Visits]

Beer (sort)Average Score (sort)No. Samples (sort)
Oakham - Bishops FarewellExceptional1
Burning Sky - AuroraExceptional1
Goacher's - 1066 Old AleExceptional1
Time and Tide - Spratwaffler Pale AleExceptional1
Arundel - CastleExcellent1
Pig & Porter - Neither NorExcellent1
Acorn - Barnsley BitterExcellent2
Hop Fuzz - Old American PaleExcellent1
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - DogBolter Dark PorterExcellent1
Burning Sky - Plateau (was 3.5%)Excellent2
Tonbridge - RusticGood1
Tiny Rebel - CwtchGood1
Kent - Session PaleGood1
Potbelly - Crazy DazeAcceptable1
Canterbury Brewers - Stout EngeniusAcceptable1
Goldmark - American Hop Idol APANot Tried0
Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)Not Tried0
Hop Fuzz - TriumphNot Tried0
360° - West Coast IPANot Tried0
Tonbridge - Alsace GoldNot Tried0
Hop Fuzz - Northern StarNot Tried0
Mighty Oak - Kings (was 3.9% before 2013)Not Tried0
Musket - Fife & Drum Golden AleNot Tried0
Canterbury Brewers - Kentish Pale AleNot Tried0
Goddards - ScrumdiggityNot Tried0
Hop Fuzz - GoldsmithNot Tried0
Canterbury Brewers - Street Light PorterNot Tried0
Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Red TopNot Tried0
Oakham - CitraNot 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

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
24 Apr 2014 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening until close. Very quiet but gets echoey when emptier! Surprised when a lady customer said that Hawkwind and Juicy Lucy, groups of my yoof, are still performing.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Hop Fuzz - Old American Pale4.20ExcellentOn the board as O.A.P.
Tiny Rebel - Cwtch4.60Good
Canterbury Brewers - Street Light Porter5.80Not Tried
07 Apr 2014 (ChrisE)
Normally closed on a Monday evening but open and busy tonight for the presentation of the local CAMRA branch pub of the year certificate.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Arundel - Castle3.80Excellent
Pig & Porter - Neither Nor5.00Excellent
Goddards - Scrumdiggity4.00Not Tried
Hop Fuzz - Goldsmith4.00Not Tried
25 Mar 2014 (Ian)
Tuesday afternoon quiet but I had a great time. Relaxed. Great cheese.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Time and Tide - Spratwaffler Pale Ale3.70ExceptionalOne of the best golden ales I've had
Musket - Fife & Drum Golden Ale3.80Not Tried
Canterbury Brewers - Kentish Pale Ale5.00Not Tried
18 Mar 2014 (Ian)
Tuesday evening quality banter.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Kent - Session Pale3.70GoodBest I have had it for some time.
Potbelly - Crazy Daze5.50AcceptableSome hop strong
Canterbury Brewers - Stout Engenius4.10AcceptableBit watery but ok
26 Feb 2014 (Brian)
Mid afternoon visit after a working lunch near the harbour.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Burning Sky - Plateau (was 3.5%)3.40ExcellentReal nice golden session ale. Big taste for the strength.
Tonbridge - Rustic4.00GoodReally good. Excellent condition, some smoky malt and black fruit.
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - DogBolter Dark Porter5.60Not Tried
22 Feb 2014 (Ian)
Fantastic Saturday night chatting with Neil and people from as far and wide as Orpington and Gillingham who were here because it's a great pub
BeerABVScoreNotes
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - DogBolter Dark Porter5.60ExcellentDark fruits plums damson but juicy some chocolate. Just awesome
Acorn - Barnsley Bitter3.80ExcellentOne of my favourite beers of all time. Toasty malt and white pepper finish
Burning Sky - Plateau (was 3.5%)3.40GoodCitrus hoppy and so drinkable it's untrue
21 Feb 2014 (Ian)
Friday night good fun with Peter and Neil
BeerABVScoreNotes
Acorn - Barnsley Bitter3.80ExcellentI love this beer. Toast malt and bitterness. Perfect session bitter
Mighty Oak - Kings (was 3.9% before 2013)4.20Not Tried
09 Feb 2014 (Ian)
What Sunday lunchtime was made for. Relaxed and fun at the same time
BeerABVScoreNotes
Burning Sky - Aurora5.60Exceptional4 hours drinking the same beer. Not happened in ages. Aroma malts hops all perfect. Classic American pale ale.
Tonbridge - Alsace Gold4.00Not Tried
Hop Fuzz - Northern Star4.40Not Tried

[Back to most recent] [Previous Visits] [More Visits]

About The Firkin Alehouse

The pub sign. The Firkin Alehouse, Folkestone, Kent

Summary of Beer Scores

 Total
Exceptional26
Excellent78
Good65
Acceptable41
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 112 times, seen 235 different beers and tried 158 of them.

Map location

Postcode: CT20 2AY