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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)Exceptional2
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Oatmeal StoutExcellent1
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Common ConspiracyExcellent1
Franklins - Pudding StoutExcellent1
Potbelly - Made in EnglandExcellent1
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - East Kent India Pale AleExcellent1
Canterbury Brewers - Canterbury HakaExcellent1
Canterbury Brewers - Foundry TorpedoExcellent1
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 5Excellent1
Brentwood - Hope & GloryGood1
Dark Star - FestivalGood1
Dark Star - RevelationGood1
Spencer's - Blonde Light Golden AleGood1
Titanic - IcebergGood1
Hop Fuzz - TomahawkAcceptable1
Caveman (latterly a cuckoo at Leatherbritches) - Citra (brewed at Kent Brewery)Acceptable1
Hop Fuzz - Steam BeerAcceptable1
Wantsum - One Hop Bramling CrossPoor1
Hop Fuzz - VeteranNot Tried0
Wantsum - Yellow TailNot Tried0
Hop Fuzz - Martello (superseded by 4.4% then 4.5% versions)Not Tried0
Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Spring TopNot Tried0
Kent - Session PaleNot Tried0
Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Red TopNot Tried0
Hopdaemon - Green DaemonNot Tried0
Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Gold TopNot Tried0
Kent - ZingiberNot Tried0
Canterbury Brewers - TopazNot 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

13 Jun 2013 (Ian)
Late afternoon quite quiet but a few locals and Neil the landlord always male this pub a winner.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 54.40ExcellentLoved the malt the condition the white peppery hop finish
Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Spring Top4.00Not Tried
Kent - Session Pale3.70Not Tried
08 May 2013 (Ian)
You know when you go into a pub for a pint and then the beer and the company are so good that you loose all sense of time and how many pints you've drunk? Well this afternoon was like that. I love that this pub is now open all afternoon, check the website for listings. Good people, good beer.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Dark Star - Revelation5.70GoodAroma wasn't perfect, but the condition was outstanding and so was the mouthfeel. The hop finish made up for the aroma. A very drinkable strong blond beer.
Wantsum - Yellow Tail4.50Not Tried
Hop Fuzz - Martello (superseded by 4.4% then 4.5% versions)3.80Not Tried
02 May 2013 (Ian)
I had a great time here this afternoon. Good beers in great condition and ended up reminiscing about Liverpool pubs.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Franklins - Pudding Stout4.20ExcellentOne of the best stouts I've had in ages. Choc, not roasted or overly dry and good blackcurrant and blackberry flavours.
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - East Kent India Pale Ale6.50ExcellentBrilliant condition, good malts, building hops on the finish. Spectacular.
Hop Fuzz - Tomahawk5.00AcceptableA bit of rubber on the flavour, good hop aroma, the crystal malt is a bit sweet. OK.
Kent - Zingiber4.10Not Tried
16 Apr 2013 (ChrisE)
Early evening visit, two of us popped in here whilst waiting for a departure from the nearby bus station.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Titanic - Iceberg4.10GoodHad that typical Titanic burnt taste.
Hop Fuzz - Veteran4.20Not Tried
15 Mar 2013 (ChrisE)
Early afternoon, we popped in for a couple of pints whilst on our way to the Leas Lift Beer Festival. Neil told us that he no longer closes during the afternoons.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Potbelly - Made in England4.40Excellent
Brentwood - Hope & Glory4.50Good
Spencer's - Blonde Light Golden Ale4.20Good
Canterbury Brewers - Topaz4.70Not TriedSome people on the opposite table said this was very good and well worth trying. Unfortunately we did not have time.
07 Mar 2013 (Ian)
Nicely chatty evening where I could just sit and drink my beer
BeerABVScoreNotes
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Oatmeal Stout4.60ExcellentLovely full tasting stout
Caveman (latterly a cuckoo at Leatherbritches) - Citra (brewed at Kent Brewery)4.10AcceptableIts ok quite hoppy but after the Gadds stout just a bit not sure maybe not as full in the mouth. Slight sulphur on aroma and flavour. Hoppy finish
Kent - Zingiber4.10Not Tried
05 Mar 2013 (ChrisE)
Afternoon visit with a friend. We had a good chat with the landlord who informed us that he has recently taken another delivery from Spencer's of Ashford which should be on sale soon.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)3.40Excellent
Canterbury Brewers - Canterbury Haka4.10Excellent
Hop Fuzz - Steam Beer4.40Acceptable
01 Mar 2013 (Ian)
Well my bottle of homebrew seemed to have gone down well with most people saying they would pay money for it and someone actually paying money into the charity tin for it. I'm kinda made up by that. Anyway, long week and looking forward to some Hophead. Spoke with a bloke about sailing of which I know nothing.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)3.40ExceptionalJust the best beer in the UK, still.
Hopdaemon - Green Daemon5.00Not TriedWould have tried this but the Hophead was too good.
Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Gold Top4.30Not Tried
Canterbury Brewers - Canterbury Haka4.10Not TriedCame on as the Wantsum went off.
Wantsum - One Hop Bramling Cross4.50Not Tried
27 Feb 2013 (Ian)
Had a good day at work so came here to celebrate
BeerABVScoreNotes
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Common Conspiracy4.80ExcellentBiscuit aroma full in mouth excellent hoppy finish.
Wantsum - One Hop Bramling Cross4.50PoorVegetal aroma puke in mouth not great
Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Red Top3.80Not Tried
20 Feb 2013 (Ian)
After work and stopped in for one or two. Good atmos as usual. Good beers too.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Canterbury Brewers - Foundry Torpedo4.50ExcellentMy most drunk Kentish bitter over the past 12 months. Love it. With Gadd's No.5 coming in a close second.
Dark Star - Festival5.00GoodMalty up front and then decent hop on the finish. Better than I remember.
Hop Fuzz - Steam Beer4.40Not 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