The Door Hinge (Free House)
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Michael Croxford
Visits Details
08 Nov 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
3rd visit of the outing: This micropub set up in 2013 was the first in the whole of London. Now in the eleventh month of 2025, it is still going strong in the Bexley borough. The front room of this former shop premises is smaller than that at The Broken Drum but it does have a small backroom as well and with a real fire during the winter months. This backroom drinking area I understand evolved from just a storage room and given the popularity of this micro and the obvious fascination with this new breed of pubs that finally came to London in 2013. Surprisingly, this happened some good few years after the first micro in 2005, The Butchers Arms, just outside Herne Bay. Ticking over for my early evening arrival and with many a familiar face as in the hardened regulars on parade. The guvnor also just as jovial and running it single-handed. Immediate, friendly service and good banter throughout. There were three Gadd's on to sample no less!
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Blarney Stone | 4.30 |  | A very creamy head being exhibited on this Ramsgate-brewed stout. A frothiness to behold indeed. Its lasting lacing could have aided many an old wartime window being blacked out for sure! A dry hop-infused bitterness rising. A biscuity maltiness, aided by three different dark malts, winning over with touches of hop-infused red berries, burnt toast and blackcurrant. Sailing out superbly, ably assisted by all that creaminess it was firmly holding onto along its chosen channel. |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Seasider | 4.30 |  | Very good head and lacing and lasting all the way. A malty bitter first bite. A dry bitterness rising aided by its Goldings hops and a crystal malt or two jumping up for a good pat. Its balanced malty bitterness making it very moreish and the tail definitely wagging all the way. |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - HPA Hoppy Pale Ale | 3.60 | | Very good head and lacing and lasting on this Ramsgate-brewed hoppy pale ale. A dry fruited first bite. A dry hoppiness rising and a fruitiness from its juicy US hops getting to know my taste buds. Its dry hoppiness catching a good breeze in its pleasant sailing outwards. |
26 Sep 2025 (Philip Pirrip)
Last 30 minutes of opening and as the sole punter.
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Dark Mild | 4.00 | | Lovely head and lacing with ale in good condition |
| Pig & Porter - Skylarking | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Mighty Oak - Mars Azzacs | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
22 Aug 2025 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening visit until close. An argument ensued with some over whether the locality was in Kent or London.
| Kent - Cobnut | 4.10 | | Lost head and lacing quite quickly |
| Mighty Oak - Here Comes Summer | 3.90 | | Good head and lacing on a refreshing half |
01 Aug 2025 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening visit until close. A Welling United home friendly match down the road did not bring in any latecomers.
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 5 | 4.40 | | Quite simply as it should be |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - She Sells Sea Shells | 4.70 | | Lovely nick with everlasting head and lacing |
20 Jun 2025 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening visit until close. Just one other punter in throughout the visit.
| Wantsum - Fortitude (was 4.2%) | 4.60 | | Held good head and lacing |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Summer Six Hop | 3.90 | | Refreshing multi hopper |
14 Jun 2025 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening visit until close. Always good to see the unchanging duo crib game in action.
| Wantsum - Fortitude (was 4.2%) | 4.60 | | Held little head or lacing but condition good to the palate |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - The Pardoner's Ale | 3.80 | | Refreshing and held a good head |
03 Jun 2025 (Philip Pirrip)
Mid afternoon visit after local chores.
| Wantsum - 1381 | 3.80 |  | Slight haze |
| Musket - Flintlock Best Bitter | 4.20 | | Soon went flat in the glass |
30 May 2025 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening visit until close.
| Wantsum - 1381 | 3.80 | | A zesty bitter |
| Musket - Flintlock Best Bitter | 4.20 | | Full on flavour but soon lost head and lacing in the glass |
14 May 2025 (Philip Pirrip)
Late afternoon visit after local chores.
| Goody Ales - Bleangate Brewery - Good Lord | 5.00 | | New cask today - a tad fresh |
| Wantsum - Dynamo | 4.30 | | Refreshing |
| Musket - Muzzleloader | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
10 May 2025 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening visit until close.
| Goody Ales - Bleangate Brewery - Good Heavens | 4.10 | | Well balanced bittering with great head and lacing |
| Musket - Muzzleloader | 4.50 | | Viciously sharp bittering |
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