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The Handsome Sam (Free House)

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Beer (sort)Average Score (sort)No. Samples (sort)
Oakham - CitraExcellent1
Kent - ProhibitionExcellent1
Cross Bay - The BlondeExcellent1
Brumaison - BullionExcellent1
Kent - ElysiumExcellent1
Hopdaemon - IncubusExcellent1
Wantsum - Ravening WolfExcellent1
Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - JaipurExcellent1
Kent - KGBExcellent1
Angels & Demons (now uses McCanns branding not its own) - Bombay SocialGood1
Kent - Rogue 2Good1
St Austell - TrelawnyGood1
Wantsum - HurricaneGood1
Tonbridge - Easy Street PaleGood1
Tonbridge - American PaleGood1
Kent - PorterGood1
Brumaison - BeulterGood1
Constellation - AquilaAcceptable1
Sharp's - SpecialNot Tried0
Tonbridge - Old ChestnutNot Tried0
Four Candles - CometNot Tried0
Dark Star - Hophead (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)Not Tried0
Musket - Fife & Drum Golden AleNot Tried0
Musket - TriggerNot Tried0
Iron Pier - BitterNot Tried0
Hop Fuzz - English BitterNot Tried0
Pig & Porter - Slave to the MoneyNot Tried0
Tonbridge - Velvet RavenNot Tried0
Four Candles - BramlingNot Tried0
Shivering Sands - Knock John BitterNot Tried0
Picture 1. The Handsome Sam, Whitstable, Kent
Picture 2. The Handsome Sam, Whitstable, Kent

Visits Details

23 Nov 2022 (Jack William)
Afternoon visit to meet an old friend. Busy - partly because the pub now has a couple of tv screens showing World Cup football (albeit with the sound muted). What would the micropub purists make of this I thought. Mr P. P. ?
BeerABVScoreNotes
Hopdaemon - Incubus4.00ExcellentProbably the finest pint of this ale I’ve had. Full bodied and top condition. H
Kent - Rogue 26.00GoodActually Rogue 3, same strength. A poky little number.
Tonbridge - Easy Street Pale3.90GoodPleasant enough and in excellent condition.
16 Aug 2022 (Jack William)
Early afternoon, a few regulars in. I hadn’t fully appreciated the artwork here before nor the old beams, some of which have been incorporated into the murals.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Cross Bay - The Blonde4.20Excellent
Constellation - Aquila4.60AcceptableFound this rather ordinary.
Shivering Sands - Knock John Bitter3.50Not Tried
17 Feb 2022 (Dosser)
A walk from Tankerton. 4 ales on. All beers £4.20 apart from one.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Kent - Porter5.50GoodThis beer was reduced to £3,50 as it was on the way out. This was still a good pint.
21 Jan 2022 (Jack William)
Stop 5. Late afternoon- very cosy in here.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Wantsum - Ravening Wolf5.90ExcellentExcellent beer to finish on.
Wantsum - Hurricane4.50Good
Pig & Porter - Slave to the Money4.10Not Tried
Tonbridge - Velvet Raven5.20Not Tried
Four Candles - Bramling4.40Not Tried
09 Jul 2021 (Magnus Greel)
Quieter than expected for a mid to late Friday evening, just two groups in we were offered the perch seats or window seats so we opted for the latter. Friendly welcome and good service hence an empty glass wasn't empty for long!
BeerABVScoreNotes
Brumaison - Bullion4.50ExcellentA refreshing single hop pale ale
Angels & Demons (now uses McCanns branding not its own) - Bombay Social3.80GoodLight dry and refreshingly hoppy
Iron Pier - Bitter4.00Not Tried
Hop Fuzz - English Bitter4.00Not Tried
29 May 2021 (ChrisE)
After spending thirty three minutes in a very full rail replacement double decker bus with no track and trace facilities it was a relief to enjoy the safety of a pub. This pub has been under new management for two weeks now and remains a true micropub. A lady told me about her local in Charlton which, surprisingly, was not listed on What Pub. A quick email to a South East London Camra branch member soon put that matter right. There as also a beer chalked up as Goody's Porter at 5%abv, I presume that this may have been Goody Good Lord.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Kent - KGB4.10Excellent
Brumaison - Beulter4.60GoodAmber coloured best bitter. Slightly cloudy but this is probably unfined.
Musket - Fife & Drum Golden Ale3.80Not Tried
Musket - Trigger3.60Not Tried
06 Feb 2020 (Dosser)
My first visit. A good selection of light coloured beers on.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Jaipur5.90ExcellentReally enjoyed this. £4 a pint.
12 Sep 2019 (Jack William)
Lunchtime- our group of 9 took over the large table for a good session.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Oakham - Citra4.20ExcellentTop condition for this Oakham classic.
Kent - Prohibition4.80ExcellentLovely dry finish. Can’t fault the condition of the beers here.
Kent - Elysium5.90ExcellentRich and hoppy - very good.
Dark Star - Hophead (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)3.80Not TriedTo replace the Citra which we had drunk dry.
St Austell - Trelawny3.80Not Tried
16 Jul 2019 (Jack William)
Late lunchtime- one table of regulars having a good session with the guv.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Tonbridge - American Pale5.00GoodQuite malty for an APA.
Tonbridge - Old Chestnut4.40Not Tried
Four Candles - Comet3.80Not Tried
28 May 2019 (ChrisE)
Lunchtime visit, we listened to tales of a recent stag party to Margate and were glad we were not part of the group.
BeerABVScoreNotes
St Austell - Trelawny3.80Good
Sharp's - Special5.00Not Tried
Kent - Prohibition4.80Not TriedJust listed on the blackboard as Prohibition, I am assuming it was from Kent Brewery.

[More Visits]

About The Handsome Sam

The pub sign. The Handsome Sam, Whitstable, Kent

Summary of Beer Scores

 Total
Exceptional1
Excellent23
Good18
Acceptable5
Poor-

The pub is found in Whitstable, Kent, CT5 4HJ.

Edge of town centre Micropub which opened on Tuesday 4th November 2014 in a former antiques shop. Located in Canterbury Road just by the railway overbridge. Named after the owner's cat which died exactly 4 years before the pub opened. High ceilinged room which retains some original wooden beams with a temperature controlled cellar room at the back from which real ales and ciders are sold on gravity dispense from a 2 level stillage - this is called the Beer Tent. High tables and bench seats and stools provide the seating. Hops adorn the 2 front bay windows. Unisex toilet at the right rear. Closed Mondays.

We have visited this pub 26 times, seen 74 different beers and tried 41 of them.

Map location

Postcode: CT5 4HJ