Wednesday lunchtime and fairly quiet. The air conditioning was most welcome. No cask ale on today which was a disappointment but no great surprise. We chose the fish and chips as a main course and I had a pint of the Session IPA.

Mid evening a few groups dotted about enjoying the calm relaxed atmosphere, always a pleasure to experience despite the high prices is worth every penny to me as it attracts a different kind of clientele...

Wednesday afternoon, a fair number of the drinking tables occupied.

I was surprised to see that a handpump has been installed on the bar here, apparently it has been in use for about a month.

I had originally planned to meet Magnus in here the previous evening but somebody had told him that the pub was closed and he cancelled the trip. How wrong can you get? This was my first visit since the COVID lockdown as it has only recently reopened. There is only one entry/exit which is via an external staircase with instructions to keep left. The lift is only available to those that really need it. Once you enter you are shown to an eating or drinking table where you complete your track and trace details and your order is taken. Table service only and card payments very much preferred. I was allocated a six seater drinking table for my own use and could have stayed for as long as I wished. It was nice to see this almost full to its COVID capacity. Service was very good and friendly and the food that I saw looked very appetising. No cask ale but I happily supped a couple of pints of Curious Porter.

Late afternoon brewery tour with some free samples. All keg beers so ineligible for being included and marked on this site. The brewery is an amazingly modern operation on a new build site - not cheap to set up!

I had just alighted from a train at the nearby station and was delighted that my trains today had all run exactly to time, contrary to the dire warnings in the media. It was hot and humid so I took refuge in this air conditioned bar, the staff welcomed me as if I was a regular. I had a look through the viewing window and things are certainly happening in the brewery. I treated myself to one of the keg beers and then moved on to the town centre.

2:30 for a brewery tour. This is an impressive new set-up. We witnessed the first barrels of Curious Brew brewed here being loaded for delivery. The beers are now badged as being produced by “Curious Brewing” (rather than Chapel Down Winery) and are exclusively brewed on-site in Ashford. A very spacious upstairs bar and restaurant- with some interesting and reasonably priced bar snacks. All beers are bottled or keg.

Mid evening until close, we sat outside on a muggy evening and got the lastest brewery updates from the barman on his delayed glass collecting duties.

Early evening and busy we joined a group of us celebrating a friend's birthday. My first visit and was impressed. Knowledgeable and keen staff happy to provide tasters as requested.