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The Compass Alehouse (Free House)

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Beer (sort)Average Score (sort)No. Samples (sort)
Wiper and True - Blackberry PorterExcellent1
Shivering Sands - Ribersborg StoutExcellent1
Titanic - Plum PorterExcellent1
Bristol Beer Factory - Milk StoutExcellent1
Kent - Kent Golding Bitter or KGBExcellent1
Oakham - CitraExcellent1
Tonbridge - RusticExcellent2
Lincoln Green - Marion Pale AleExcellent1
Bristol Beer Factory - White Milk StoutExcellent1
Northdown - Merry MargateExcellent1
Kent - Green GiantExcellent1
Marble - Manchester BitterExcellent1
Tonbridge - Easy Street PaleExcellent2
Kent - Heaven Scent Exotic Milk StoutExcellent1
Tiny Rebel - Stay PuftGood1
Kent - Brewers ReserveGood1
Pilot - MochaccinoGood1
Five Points - XPAGood1
Kent - Cain and AbelGood1
Hurst - Hurst 700 Pale-AleGood1
Kent - Juice JunkieGood1
Tonbridge - Blonde AmbitionGood1
Cellar Head - Citris ParadisiAcceptable1
No Frills Joe - Joe English Green HopAcceptable1
Cellar Head - Session Pale AleNot Tried0
Kent - Yule LogNot Tried0
Bristol Beer Factory - TalismanNot Tried0
Pig & Porter - Pigs in BlanketsNot Tried0
Kent - PorterNot Tried0
Tonbridge - Winter SolaceNot Tried0
By The Horns - Stiff Upper Lip (downgraded from 3.8% in 2023)Not Tried0
Kent - MandarinaNot Tried0
Three Acre - Azacca HazeNot Tried0
Saltaire - TitusNot Tried0
Pig & Porter - Apparition StoutNot Tried0
Buxton - StackedNot Tried0
Great Heck - DAVENot Tried0
Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Copper TopNot Tried0
Buxton - GatekeeperNot Tried0
Picture 1. The Compass Alehouse, Gravesend, Kent

Visits Details

05 Oct 2024 (Hogan Sampling)
A good pit-stop at Gravesend for the change of trains from Broadstairs to London. Busy, lively and positively buzzing as always. Just time for a swift half out of 4 on.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Five Points - XPA4.00GoodGood head and lacing. A hoppy, bitter mouthfeel with hints of mango and passionfruit no less.
Saltaire - Titus3.90Not Tried
Pig & Porter - Apparition Stout4.40Not Tried
Buxton - Stacked5.20Not Tried
07 Sep 2024 (Hogan Sampling)
On way back from Whitstable to London, the change of train at Gravesend afforded 30 minutes visit to The Compass. Not been since July. Busy with its regulars and time for two halves. Prompt, friendly service as usual.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Marble - Manchester Bitter4.20ExcellentIn very fine form with hoppy, fruity flavours and a lingering bitterness.
Kent - Heaven Scent Exotic Milk Stout4.60ExcellentWonderful rich, creamy head with vanilla and coconut hints in the flavouring.
Kent - Mandarina4.50Not Tried
Three Acre - Azacca Haze3.40Not TriedDescribed as a Milkshake Session Pale
10 Aug 2024 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening visit until close. In the backroom admired the Gravesend Regatta pre-war winning boatbacks on the wall - superb bits of history and art. First visit since the Covid pandemic and just got the last stool to perch on.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Shivering Sands - Ribersborg Stout4.70ExcellentFirst rate, full bodied and bitter to boot
Kent - Kent Golding Bitter or KGB4.10ExcellentVicious bitterness just as I wanted
Kent - Juice Junkie5.00GoodA bit flat but for me a juiciness too far
By The Horns - Stiff Upper Lip (downgraded from 3.8% in 2023)3.40Not Tried
02 Dec 2023 (Magnus Greel)
Early afternoon and standing room only I met up with the rest of our group for a few before heading off to Upminster on a preserved RM or RT on today's Ensign running day.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Tonbridge - Easy Street Pale3.90ExcellentDelicious peppery dry bitter fare didn't touch the sides..
Kent - Brewers Reserve5.00GoodDry hoppy with a citrus punch but just a tad resinous for my liking.
Kent - Porter5.50Not Tried
Tonbridge - Winter Solace4.80Not Tried
03 Dec 2022 (Magnus Greel)
12pm opening arranged just for our group of a dozen or so before our jaunt over the Thames for an afternoon of vintage buses and beer!
BeerABVScoreNotes
Oakham - Citra4.20Excellent
Bristol Beer Factory - White Milk Stout4.50Excellent
Tonbridge - Easy Street Pale3.90Excellent
Tonbridge - Rustic4.00Good
24 Dec 2019 (Philip Pirrip)
Mid evening visit. Fun, frolics and Christmas fun made for the place being standing room only. Soon involved in a Brexit argument with a local!
BeerABVScoreNotes
Wiper and True - Blackberry Porter4.80ExcellentThis was blackboarded as Cellar aged Blackberry & Calvados Porter, with, allegedly, a Calvados infusion added in-house
Hurst - Hurst 700 Pale-Ale3.90GoodDon't think I've had Hurst ales before. This was a pretty basic bitter
Kent - Yule Log4.50Not Tried
Bristol Beer Factory - Talisman5.00Not Tried
Pig & Porter - Pigs in Blankets4.30Not Tried
07 Dec 2019 (Magnus Greel)
Lunchtime and very busy standing room only which isn't difficult here. Despite this the guv done a sterling job ensuring everyone's glasses didn't stay empty for long..
BeerABVScoreNotes
Titanic - Plum Porter4.90ExcellentDoes what it says on the tin without the sugar hit
Tonbridge - Rustic4.00ExcellentIn superb condition and temperature brought out the nutty malty flavours
Northdown - Merry Margate3.80ExcellentDry and spicy refreshing golden ale
Cellar Head - Citris Paradisi4.00AcceptableRather sweet and sickly, luckily just a taster
Kent - Brewers Reserve5.00Not Tried
22 Oct 2019 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening visit until 10pm close.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Kent - Green Giant6.00ExcellentGreat stuff indeed
Pilot - Mochaccino9.50GoodMix up on beer order delivered this to my table. I was not too upset as this was allegedly on KeyKeg. Overriding smell and taste of dark chocolate
No Frills Joe - Joe English Green Hop5.00AcceptableHazy and just an OK beer, no better
Buxton - Gatekeeper4.10Not Tried
Cellar Head - Session Pale Ale3.80Not Tried
07 Sep 2019 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening visit until 10pm close. Very relaxing, once most had left, to overhear a conversation about rowing clubs on the Thames and the skills and physical requirements needed to participate.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Bristol Beer Factory - Milk Stout4.50Excellent
Lincoln Green - Marion Pale Ale3.80Excellent
Tonbridge - Blonde Ambition4.20Not Tried
Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Copper Top4.10Not Tried
26 Jun 2019 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening visit until 10pm close.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Tonbridge - Blonde Ambition4.20GoodBest beer of the day
Tiny Rebel - Stay Puft5.20GoodGood but cloying, a half would have been enough
Kent - Cain and Abel3.30GoodTasty low gravity job
Great Heck - DAVE3.80Not Tried

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About The Compass Alehouse

The pub sign. The Compass Alehouse, Gravesend, Kent

Summary of Beer Scores

 Total
Exceptional1
Excellent74
Good39
Acceptable10
Poor-

Website.

The pub is found in Gravesend, Kent, DA12 1AA.

Micropub which opened at lunchtime on Friday 26th September 2014. Located in Manor Road just a couple of minutes from the railway station and town centre. A shop conversion from an old dairy which had, most recently, been an estate agency. Real ales and ciders sold on gravity dispense from a largish several tier stillage in a temperature controlled cold cellar room. High tables and bench seating (some incorporating wood from church pews) partition the floor space in the front room. There is further drinking space around the kitchen area and a small yard garden and smoking area at the very back. Unisex toilet. All glasses are lined measure. Closed on Mondays. Local CAMRA branch Pub of the Year 2022 and 2024.

We have visited this pub 66 times, seen 223 different beers and tried 105 of them.

Map location

Postcode: DA12 1AA