PubsandBeer

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The Unicorn (Free House)

We believe this building is NO LONGER a pub

Beer (sort)Average Score (sort)No. Samples (sort)
Adnams - BroadsideGood2
Goacher's - Real Mild AleExcellent2
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Common ConspiracyGood1
Westerham - Grasshopper Kentish BitterExcellent3
Goacher's - Silver StarNot Tried0
Harvey's - Sussex Best BitterNot Tried0
Hopdaemon - Golden BraidNot Tried0
Hopdaemon - Skrimshander IPANot Tried0
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Dr Sunshine's Special Friendly English Wheat AleNot Tried0
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 5Not Tried0
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - SeasiderNot Tried0
Shepherd Neame - Canterbury JackNot Tried0
Shepherd Neame - Double Stout (superseded by 4% version)Not Tried0
Shepherd Neame - Kent's BestNot Tried0
Shepherd Neame - Whitstable Bay Organic AleNot Tried0
Westerham - William Wilberforce Freedom AleNot Tried0
Whitstable - Kentish ReserveNot Tried0
Whitstable - Native BitterNot Tried0
Picture 1. The Unicorn, Bekesbourne, Kent

Visits Details

18 Aug 2013 (Philip Pirrip)
Reported in CAMRA Dover, Deal and Sandwich branch's magazine Summer 2013 Channel Draught that the Unicorn is now closed and with all signage gone appears to be a private dwelling with the name Old Unicorn. There used to be 2 pubs here, with the other being the Prince of Wales right by the station, but now there are none.
BeerABVScoreNotes
01 May 2010 (Mick)
Fairly busy with local drinkers and diners.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Goacher's - Real Mild Ale3.40GoodNice pint, everything a mild should be, perhaps lacking on the finish.
Westerham - Grasshopper Kentish Bitter3.80GoodGood bitter, dark with good malt and balanced hops.
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Seasider4.30Not Tried
27 Mar 2010 (Blair)
It was a nice day (to start with) so me and my dad went out for a bike ride. First time either of us had been here. Really pleasant surprise, beer was kept really well, landlord was a great bloke and just an all round really nice pub. Only sells kentish ales now which is a nice touch I think.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Westerham - Grasshopper Kentish Bitter3.80ExcellentLovely darkish bitter, great hops and malt. A fantastic example of a classic bitter.
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Common Conspiracy4.80GoodLight slightly creamy with a really good hop bite to it.
Shepherd Neame - Double Stout (superseded by 4% version)4.30Not TriedComing soon.
29 Aug 2009 (Andrew)
They've changed hands since I was last there and the landlady and her staff were very friendly. We'd heard that a beer festival was on so we parked-up by the train station, crossed over the bridge and made our way in. There was a large beer tent in the garden with a couple of other people enjoying the sun. Hopefully it will get busier in the evening because it really was very good.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Goacher's - Real Mild Ale3.40ExcellentWonderful condition. Coffee and, for the first time in a while, chocolate. Lovely.
Westerham - Grasshopper Kentish Bitter3.80ExcellentExcellent condition. Bit of cane sugar, rough hops, lovely.
Hopdaemon - Golden Braid3.70Not Tried
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 54.40Not Tried
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Not TriedOn at the bar
Shepherd Neame - Canterbury Jack4.10Not Tried
Shepherd Neame - Kent's Best4.10Not Tried
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Dr Sunshine's Special Friendly English Wheat Ale4.20Not Tried
Whitstable - Native Bitter3.70Not Tried
Shepherd Neame - Whitstable Bay Organic Ale4.50Not TriedOn at the bar
Westerham - William Wilberforce Freedom Ale4.00Not Tried
Whitstable - Kentish Reserve5.00Not Tried
Goacher's - Silver Star4.20Not Tried
Hopdaemon - Skrimshander IPA4.50Not Tried
29 Apr 2006 (Andrew)
Arrived early evening and the pub was entirely laid up for food, which the landlord sarcastically pointed out to us when we sat at a table that looked fairly unlaid. I've been here a few times before and it's been okay so I don't know why they were rude this time.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Adnams - Broadside4.70AcceptableTangy malt with a malty triglet bitter finish
13 Aug 2005 (Andrew)
Got here 20 mins before our train left so we popped in for a quick half. The pub was empty but it was pleasant sitting in the front garden.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Adnams - Broadside4.70GoodDark and malty with some hops. A good pint of Broadside

About The Unicorn

The pub sign. The Unicorn, Bekesbourne, Kent

Summary of Beer Scores

 Total
Exceptional-
Excellent3
Good4
Acceptable1
Poor-

The pub is found in Bekesbourne, Kent, CT4 5ED.

PERMANENTLY CLOSED. Lovely one roomed former Shepherd Neame (and later privately owned freehouse) pub furnished in pine. The front garden is always pretty in the Summer and there's a larger grass garden just down the path. Very close to Bekesbourne railway station but closed for half the week so phone before you go to check they're open! Once there were 2 pubs in the village and this is the remaining one. Unfortunately reported in CAMRA Dover, Deal and Sandwich branch magazine Summer 2013 Channel Draught that the Unicorn is now closed and with all signage gone appears to be a private dwelling with the name Old Unicorn. There used to be 2 pubs here, with the other being the Prince of Wales right by the station, but now there are none.

We have visited this pub 6 times, seen 18 different beers and tried 4 of them.

Map location

Postcode: CT4 5ED