PubsandBeer

History: Home > The Three Pillars

The Three Pillars (Free House)

[More Visits]

Beer (sort)Average Score (sort)No. Samples (sort)
Mighty Oak - Top HatExcellent1
Mighty Oak - The Old Man and The SeaExcellent1
McCanns (used to use Angels and Demons name as well) - Straight Red (also seen at 3.2% & 4.2%)Excellent1
Kent - Old SkoolExcellent1
Kent - Session PaleExcellent2
Musket - Fife & Drum Golden AleExcellent1
Kent - White NoiseExcellent1
Kent - Yule LogExcellent1
Brentwood - Santa's SackExcellent1
Saltaire - TitusExcellent1
Shivering Sands - Ribersborg StoutExcellent2
Shivering Sands - Maunsell BitterExcellent1
Kent - Born To Be Mild (was 3.5%)Good1
Mighty Oak - New Year BeerGood1
Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - The Friar's AleGood1
Three Acre - Skylark StoutGood1
Mighty Oak - CalypsoGood1
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - West Coast IPAGood1
Musket - Flintlock Best BitterGood1
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 7Good1
Oakham - Darker DaysGood1
Musket - Powder BurnGood1
Kent - Christmas SessionGood1
XT Brewing - Animal Brewing KiwiNot Tried0
Wantsum - DynamoNot Tried0
Wantsum - SuperdelicNot Tried0
Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Green and Gold (2024 Green Hop)Not Tried0
Mighty Oak - Bingle JellsNot Tried0
Rudgate - York Chocolate StoutNot Tried0
Dorset Brewing Company - Durdle DoorNot Tried0
Tonbridge - Old ChestnutNot Tried0
Box Steam - Chuffin' AleNot Tried0
Kent - Mosaic RevolutionNot Tried0
Wantsum - Figgy PuddingNot Tried0
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 5Not Tried0
Firebird - Old AleNot Tried0
Deeply Vale - Citra StormNot Tried0
Parkway (formerly Glastonbury Ales) - I'm a Talking ParrotNot Tried0
Two by Two - Mashup (collaboration with Kent)Not Tried0
Hop Back - Summer LightningNot Tried0
Wantsum - Black PigNot Tried0
Wantsum - HurricaneNot Tried0
Mad Dog - Calypso American Pale AleNot Tried0
Skinner's (now brewed by Goodh) - LushingtonsNot Tried0

Visits Details

07 Jun 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
Busy with one very large party of rather raucous middle-aged patrons who should have perhaps set a better example! Does not take a lot to fill this low-ceilinged micropub either with punters or their sometimes over-loud voices. There is a separate room as you come in on your left where I would have encouraged them to sit. I ended up sitting at the bar as far away as you could get from them in the main room with bar and cold-room leading off. 5 real ales on and the 4 sampled were all superb. Prompt friendly service from the couple running this micropub for my late afternoon visit, marking my third of this outing, and nothing has changed about the place since my last visit in February 2025 apart from the table of at least 8 noisy punters on this occasion.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Shivering Sands - Maunsell Bitter4.00ExcellentExcellent head and lacing on this dark amber ale from Manston, near Ramsgate, and lasting superbly. A moreishly dry bitter first hit. A touch of malty caramel flavouring rising up in the mouthfeel alongside a fruit-infused hoppiness from US-style hops winning over on the taste buds. A lip-smacking hoppy dryness to end on. Set up in summer of 2020, I have always enjoyed Shivering Sands. This bitter has got its name from the designer of the Maunsell sea forts north of Herne Bay, which were built during the Second World War. In the mid-1960s the forts at Shivering Sands became home to pirate radio, including Radio Sutch set up by Screaming Lord Sutch.
Kent - Born To Be Mild (was 3.5%)3.40GoodCame with good head and lacing on this mild from Birling, north of West Malling in Kent. A very berry-infused fruity first hit. Almost the flavouring of Ribena pervading the mouthfeel with a maltiness rising up from all those berry flavours. A bitter dryness then coming to the fore in its aftertaste and lasting.
Three Acre - Skylark Stout4.60GoodBegan with good head and lacing on this Sussex-based stout from south-east of Uckfield, and north of Eastbourne, but did not manage to hold onto it. A dry bitter first hit. The merest malty chocolatey and subtle cocoa flavouring rising up on the palate and a dry maltiness lingering with the odd hint of a hazelnut or two in the aftertaste.
Mighty Oak - Calypso3.90GoodCame with good head and lacing on the amber ale from Maldon in Essex and lasted to the end. A very bitter first hit. A touch of malty fruitiness rising up from its Maris Otter malt on the taste buds and doing battle with a dry fruit-infused hoppiness from its Calypso and Columbus hops. A dry hoppy moreish aftertaste.
Two by Two - Mashup (collaboration with Kent)5.00Not TriedCan look like a milkshake by all accounts and so not my cup of tea by a long way.
15 Feb 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
Busy footfall for this little basement micropub just out of the main part of Gravesend and for our early evening visit. Usual friendly and prompt service.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Musket - Fife & Drum Golden Ale3.80ExcellentGood head and lacing thrown in on this Kentish golden from Maidstone. A hoppy first hit followed by a dry mouthfeel with a slight oiliness from the hops. It had pleasant spicy and honey-infused hints and the odd blackcurrant in the flavourings. Very moreish!
Shivering Sands - Ribersborg Stout4.70ExcellentA very creamy head on this stout from Manston in Thanet and good lacing followed. A burnt and smokey mouthfeel. Not in the least sweet with a dryness lingering amongst a hint of liquorice.
Musket - Flintlock Best Bitter4.20GoodVery good head and lacing on this Maidstone bitter. A very bitter, bitter mouthfeel with slightly sweet flavourings from marmalade and spice. A moreishly dry bitterness lingering.
Musket - Powder Burn5.00GoodGood head and lacing on this porter from Maidstone. A very dry and slightly sweet mouthfeel with a moreishly malty aftertaste.
Deeply Vale - Citra Storm4.00Not TriedFrom Bury, north-east of Bolton. Should have tried this pale as not sampled from this brewery as I recall.
08 Feb 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
Usual busy place for our late afternoon visit. Prompt, friendly service as in the custom here.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Saltaire - Titus3.90ExcellentVery good head and lacing on this Yorkshire bitter from Shipley. A first hit of malty bitterness and this remained throughout and was very moreish.
Mighty Oak - Top Hat4.30ExcellentA superbly creamy head on this Maldon-based porter and holding its head and lacing well. A very malty first hit. Was not in the least sweet as darker ales can tend to be with just the merest hint of coffee and chocolate. A moreish dryness and maltiness lingering.
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 73.80GoodGood head and lacing on this Ramsgate pale bitter. A dryish bitter first hit. A moreishly hoppy mouthfeel lingering.
Mighty Oak - New Year Beer4.00GoodVery good head and lacing on this Malden-based golden ale from Essex. A fruity and hoppy first hit. A moreishly dryish mouthfeel and lingering.
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 54.40Not Tried
11 Jan 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
Busy but not overly for late afternoon visit. Usual friendly, prompt service.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Mighty Oak - The Old Man and The Sea4.10ExcellentSuperbly creamy head and lacing on this Maldon stout. Malty with liquorice and espresso coffee flavours in the mouthfeel. A dryness to die for in making it extremely moreish and with the merest hint of chocolate and the odd berry or two. A wonderfully malty, dry aftertaste.
Kent - Old Skool4.10ExcellentVery good head and lacing on this bitter. A very bitter first hit and a slightly malty mouthfeel. A touch of hoppiness in its aftertaste which made it very moreish.
Kent - White Noise5.00ExcellentSuperb head and lacing on this winter IPA from Birling. Not in the least fruity but dry with a moderately hoppy first hit. A powerfully dry hoppiness lingering and a great escape again from all those sweet Christmas beers of late!
Kent - Session Pale3.70GoodVery good head and lacing on this pale brew from Birling, north of West Malling. A very dry first hit. A pleasantly lightly fruity mouthfeel alongside a lingering dryness which made it very moreish.
21 Dec 2024 (Hogan Sampling)
Late afternoon visit to this basement micropub in coming back into Gravesend after walk from Windmill Tavern. Not overly busy and seating to be had. Met with the usual friendly, prompt service.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Kent - Yule Log4.50ExcellentReasonable head and lacing on this chocolate cream stout. The first hit was of dry flavouring, and not sweet and as you might expect with chocolate being involved. A moreishly dark chocolatey mouthfeel with a dryness lingering.
Brentwood - Santa's Sack4.00ExcellentFresh on and oozing with a frothy head and lacing. A very dry first hit on this Essex-based brown ale. A bitter mouthfeel with a touch of fruitiness from stone fruit and pear flavouring. A very moreish aftertaste.
Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - The Friar's Ale4.30GoodGood head and lacing. A dry, fruity first hit. A pleasantly hoppy mouthfeel with a moreishly dry aftertaste.
Kent - Christmas Session3.70GoodGood head and lacing on this pale from the Birling-based brewery near West Malling. A very dry hoppy mouthfeel with a hint of elderflower in it. A pleasantly dry, lingering aftertaste which made it very moreish.
14 Dec 2024 (Hogan Sampling)
Not overly busy for this basement micropub late Saturday afternoon on our visit and with our party now totalling 7. Usual friendly and prompt service and a high table to be had in the main bar.
BeerABVScoreNotes
McCanns (used to use Angels and Demons name as well) - Straight Red (also seen at 3.2% & 4.2%)4.00ExcellentVery good head and lacing on this Irish red ale from this brewery near Tenterden and south-west of Ashford in Kent. A good red berry flavouring in the mouthfeel and not in the least sweet. A pleasantly dry, moreish aftertaste.
Mighty Oak - Bingle Jells5.20Not Tried
Rudgate - York Chocolate Stout5.00Not Tried
Tonbridge - Old Chestnut4.40Not Tried
Kent - Mosaic Revolution5.50Not Tried
02 Nov 2024 (Hogan Sampling)
My 6th visit of the outing. As per all my Saturday visits, this little rabbit-warren of a micro-pub is thriving. I blame it on the rabbits. Never shy of customers but just room to squeeze into this basement establishment. Early evening visit after walk back from the Iron Pier taproom and the usual friendly welcome and prompt service. Superb line-up of real ales and many a local pub does not compete in the odd one or three on. Six on and just time for one, what a shame! Will be back anytime and any Saturday very soon!
BeerABVScoreNotes
Shivering Sands - Ribersborg Stout4.70ExcellentProbably so far of the outing today, the best. This is in terms of head and lacing and everything you want in flavour on top! Many a beer from Shivering Sands have I enjoyed and situated on the Isle of Thanet. Out of four green hops recently tried at Gadds' green hop festival, apart from Gadds' own, Shivering Sands won for its hoppy, oily mouthfeel for me. But here think of burnt toast flavours and a very malty mouthfeel and you will not be disappointed and with a liquorice hint in the aftertaste.
Kent - Session Pale3.70Not Tried
Wantsum - Dynamo4.30Not Tried
Kent - Old Skool4.10Not Tried
Wantsum - Superdelic4.20Not Tried
Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Green and Gold (2024 Green Hop)5.70Not Tried
22 Oct 2019 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening visit. Good chat with the Guv about the beer range he has ordered to date.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Oakham - Darker Days4.80GoodDarker beers are very popular here
Skinner's (now brewed by Goodh) - Lushingtons4.20Not Tried
XT Brewing - Animal Brewing Kiwi4.60Not Tried
07 Sep 2019 (Philip Pirrip)
Mid evening visit. A rather intrusive sound system now dominates the central pillar in the main bar, with loud music playing.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - West Coast IPA5.60GoodFull of flavour this heavy hitter
Hop Back - Summer Lightning5.00Not Tried
Wantsum - Black Pig4.80Not Tried
Wantsum - Hurricane4.50Not Tried
Mad Dog - Calypso American Pale Ale4.00Not Tried
01 Dec 2018 (Magnus Greel)
Early evening the eerily quiet descent down the flight of stairs may have misled me into think this was closed - complete contrast once inside this buzzing and friendly pub, standing room only around the bar so I shared a table with a mother and her daughter enjoying a real ale or two.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Kent - Session Pale3.70ExcellentSuperb nick refreshing hints of tropical loveliness.
Dorset Brewing Company - Durdle Door5.00Not Tried
Box Steam - Chuffin' Ale4.00Not Tried
Wantsum - Figgy Pudding4.50Not Tried
Firebird - Old Ale4.50Not Tried
Parkway (formerly Glastonbury Ales) - I'm a Talking Parrot3.80Not Tried

[More Visits]

About The Three Pillars

Summary of Beer Scores

 Total
Exceptional-
Excellent14
Good16
Acceptable1
Poor-

Website.

The pub is found in Gravesend, Kent, DA11 0PA.

Micropub which opened underneath the Masonic Hall in Wrotham Road initially on 1st May 2017 then finally opened permanently on 23rd June 2017 after an enforced closure due to licensing issues. Steep steps on the right hand side of the Hall lead down to what was, at one time, the Masonic Hall's bar. Carpeted front rooms, with standard tables and chairs, lead to the brick floor bar counter area with its high tables and at the bar seating. Real ales and ciders are sold on gravity dispense from a temperature controlled cellar room. Very much along the physical lines of the Cellars Alehouse in Maidstone but the floor area is less extensive. The Masonic Hall car park must not be used by patrons. From November 2017 onwards closed on Mondays. Cash only here please, cards not accepted.

We have visited this pub 16 times, seen 56 different beers and tried 28 of them.

Map location

Postcode: DA11 0PA