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The Bouncing Barrel (Free House)
| Beer (sort) | Average Score (sort) | No. Samples (sort) |
|---|---|---|
| Oakham - JHB |  | 2 |
| Shivering Sands - Ribersborg Stout |  | 1 |
| Marble - Bitter | | 1 |
| Twisted Oak - Wild Wood | | 1 |
| Marble - Manchester Bitter | | 1 |
| Long Man - Best Bitter | | 1 |
| Elusive - Tales |  | 1 |
| Hop Fuzz - APA American Pale Ale | | 1 |
| Rother Valley - Bitter | | 1 |
| Vocation - Bread & Butter | | 1 |
| Ilkley - Joshua Jane |  | 1 |
| Three Acre - Skylark Stout | | 1 |
| Fixed Wheel - Blackheath Stout | Not Tried | 0 |
| New Bristol - Bristol Bitter | Not Tried | 0 |
| Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Blue Top | Not Tried | 0 |
| Fyne - Jarl | Not Tried | 0 |
| Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Green Hop Challenger Pale Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Bristol Beer Factory - Fortitude | Not Tried | 0 |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 7 | Not Tried | 0 |
| Well Drawn - Brewers Gold | Not Tried | 0 |
| Romney Marsh - Amber Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Brighton Bier - Saoirse India Stout | Not Tried | 0 |
| Wantsum - Montgomery (was SS Richard Montgomery) | Not Tried | 0 |
| Wantsum - Imperium | Not Tried | 0 |
| Pig & Porter - Jumping Frog | Not Tried | 0 |
| Nightjar (formerly Slightly Foxed) - Dr Dray | Not Tried | 0 |
| Shivering Sands - Maunsell Bitter | Not Tried | 0 |
| RedWillow - Sabro Porter | Not Tried | 0 |
| Constellation - Capricorn | Not Tried | 0 |
| Shivering Sands - Knock John Amber | Not Tried | 0 |
| Swannay (formerly Highland) - Dark Munro | Not Tried | 0 |
| Titanic - Plum Porter | Not Tried | 0 |
| Musket - Flintlock Best Bitter | Not Tried | 0 |
| Pig & Porter - Skylarking | Not Tried | 0 |
| Twisted Oak - Slippery Slope | Not Tried | 0 |
| Timothy Taylor - Boltmaker (formerly Best Bitter) | Not Tried | 0 |
| Big Hand - Super Tidy IPA | Not Tried | 0 |
| Arbor Ales - Blue Sky Drinking | Not Tried | 0 |
Visits Details
29 Mar 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
My second visit of the day to this one and now early evening. This time good banter to be had with some of the locals as had left the minibus contingent to their own devices on the pier and due to that chilly wind getting up. Prompt, friendly service.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elusive - Tales | 4.30 | | Some head and lacing to begin with but soon departed. A spicy first hit from this bitter, south-west of Wokingham. A bitter and malty mouthfeel on this copper coloured ale. Pleasantly hopped with East Kent Goldings and Challenger for a slight fruitiness joining in with the spicy and malty aftertaste. |
| Titanic - Plum Porter | 4.90 | Not Tried | |
| Pig & Porter - Skylarking | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Long Man - Best Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried |
29 Mar 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
Caught up with some of the others on the minibus trip from SE London here and having walked back into Herne Bay on this gloriously sunny afternoon unlike the rest of them and along the cliffs' coastal path and past the row of old fishermen's cottages. Not that busy for my mid-afternoon entrance into this fine little micropub, and one of five in the centre of Herne Bay, and prompt friendly service was delivered.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long Man - Best Bitter | 4.00 | | Came with very good head and lacing and a very bitter first hit. A dry hoppy mouthfeel and a maltiness coming to the fore on this Polegate, north-west of Eastbourne, best bitter. There was a pleasantly dry hoppy aftertaste. |
| Titanic - Plum Porter | 4.90 | Not Tried | |
| Pig & Porter - Skylarking | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Elusive - Tales | 4.30 | Not Tried | A best bitter from south-east of Reading. |
21 Aug 2024 (Andrew)
A Morris group were playing outside but it was quiet inside, until the light went and the Morris came in to sing. Some green faced fellows led the way and the rest of the Morris joined in with varying degrees of enthusiasm.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakham - JHB | 3.80 | | Possible the best pint of JHB I've ever had. Crisp, light, happy |
| Marble - Bitter | 3.90 | | Really very good. |
| Three Acre - Skylark Stout | 4.60 | | Not really to my taste. Milk, glue, some sweetness, low roasting. Black. |
| Fyne - Jarl | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Shivering Sands - Knock John Amber | 4.60 | Not Tried |
03 Aug 2024 (Hogan Sampling)
Early evening visit and only my third to this welcoming micro. Filling up but seated on arrival for our party of four.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rother Valley - Bitter | 3.80 | | Fine conditioning and great tasting was this copper bitter with fruity, hoppy flavouring and a bitter aftertaste. |
| Wantsum - Imperium | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Nightjar (formerly Slightly Foxed) - Dr Dray | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| RedWillow - Sabro Porter | 4.80 | Not Tried |
05 Apr 2024 (Andrew)
Not too busy. Friendly pub.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ilkley - Joshua Jane | 3.70 | | Flat, so not great but drinkable. |
| Fyne - Jarl | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Bristol Beer Factory - Fortitude | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Well Drawn - Brewers Gold | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Brighton Bier - Saoirse India Stout | 4.80 | Not Tried |
25 Mar 2024 (Andrew)
Early evening visit and only a handful in (and nearly as many dogs).
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vocation - Bread & Butter | 3.90 | | Surprisingly fruity with a low bitter finish. Pale gold in colour. Pleasant. |
| Arbor Ales - Blue Sky Drinking | 4.40 | Not Tried | |
| Fixed Wheel - Blackheath Stout | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| New Bristol - Bristol Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried |
23 Jan 2024 (Magnus Greel)
Late afternoon not long after opening we had the place to ourselves for a short time.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marble - Manchester Bitter | 4.20 | | Speciality malt gives the deep golden colour and robust base, balanced by crisp bitterness and a floral, lemony aroma. |
| Timothy Taylor - Boltmaker (formerly Best Bitter) | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Big Hand - Super Tidy IPA | 4.00 | Not Tried |
10 Jan 2023 (Magnus Greel)
My first and most enjoyable visit, just a couple of others in so we all managed to find seats just before a few others arrived after. Curious and welcoming guv kept us entertained and it was a shame to leave to our next venue.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Twisted Oak - Wild Wood | 4.00 | | A bitter yet smooth and creamy flavour feast, superb! |
| Oakham - JHB | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Swannay (formerly Highland) - Dark Munro | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Musket - Flintlock Best Bitter | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Twisted Oak - Slippery Slope | 5.30 | Not Tried |
21 Jan 2022 (Jack William)
The owners are away so the regulars are having a beer festival! Busy just before 1. 10 ales on, first day.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shivering Sands - Ribersborg Stout | 4.70 | | The tasting notes were a bit OTT “A dark dry ale, 4 different malts, overtones of liquorice and charred toast with hints of lemongrass and pine needles.” Very good. |
| Hop Fuzz - APA American Pale Ale | 4.00 | | |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 7 | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Romney Marsh - Amber Ale | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Wantsum - Montgomery (was SS Richard Montgomery) | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Pig & Porter - Jumping Frog | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Shivering Sands - Maunsell Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Constellation - Capricorn | 4.40 | Not Tried |
03 Oct 2019 (Jack William)
Early lunchtime- just the guv and one other customer in. Like a library - phone and crossword occupying attentions.
Lovely pint though.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakham - JHB | 3.80 | | A lovely pint in perfect condition. |
| Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Blue Top | 4.80 | Not Tried | |
| Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Green Hop Challenger Pale Ale | 3.60 | Not Tried |
About The Bouncing Barrel
Summary of Beer Scores
| Total | |
|---|---|
| 10 |
| 17 |
| 18 |
| 5 |
 | 2 |
The pub is found in Herne Bay, Kent, CT6 5EA.
Located in a former care business office in Bank Street this latest addition to Kent's micropubs opened its doors at noon on Saturday 4th May 2013 in time to catch the May Day bank holiday traffic. Real ales, cider and wine sold - the casks can be viewed through a window. No bar so usually table service applies. Wall mounted bench seating on the sides with old electronics workshop benches as tables. Lower height bench seating in the window with little wooden ledges between seats for balancing one's glass. The large front window in an attractive lattice design. Externally the building has a first floor bay window overhanging the frontage. Local CAMRA branch Pub of the Year 2023.
We have visited this pub 34 times, seen 113 different beers and tried 43 of them.
Postcode: CT6 5EA