The Hoptimist Taproom & Bar (Free House)
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Visits Details
14 Mar 2024 (Jack William)
Opened at 1220 for our bus pass group of 6. Locals had got wind of it and some were also in before the normal 1 pm opening. Danny very welcoming and enthusiastic about his ales. A real gem.
Three Legs - Harlequin | 4.20 | | I really liked this fruity, unfiltered ale despite its opaque style. |
Titanic - Chocolate & Vanilla Stout | 4.50 | | Only a sip of this - too sweet and chocolatey for me - but it clearly does what is says in the name. Went down very well with some of our group. |
Broadtown - Spring Back | 3.80 | | Golden ale - nothing special but good condition. |
Broadtown - Best | 4.00 | | Full bodied traditional best bitter. |
05 Mar 2024 (Magnus Greel)
Late afternoon and buzzing with activity yet friendly and welcoming, we purloined a recently vacated table and enjoyed our beer. I think this place has changed names a few times since I was last here!
Kent - Prohibition | 4.80 | | All my APA expectations satisfied. |
Time and Tide - Spratwaffler Pale Ale | 3.70 | | Wheaty with a sweet tang. |
Buxton - Right to Roam | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
Leatherbritches - Bohemian Dark | 5.90 | Not Tried | |
21 Feb 2024 (Jack William)
Mid afternoon visit, a few familiar faces. Beers turning over while I was here. Very pleasant.
Kent - Session Pale | 3.70 | | Fresh on |
Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - AM:PM | 4.50 | | |
Goacher's - Fine Light Ale | 3.70 | Not Tried | Replaced by the Kent |
Goacher's - Crown Imperial Stout | 4.50 | Not Tried | Going well. |
Tonbridge - Rustic | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
08 Feb 2024 (Jack William)
Late afternoon- finally got out of Deal. Usual good ambience in here.
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - She Sells Sea Shells | 4.70 | | Spot on. |
Tiny Rebel - Cwtch | 4.60 | | Not really to my taste. |
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - DogBolter Dark Porter | 5.60 | Not Tried | Went down very well with my companion. |
Three Legs - Harlequin | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
15 Dec 2023 (Jack William)
One for the road after my liar dice session. Late afternoon, nicely busy. Two ales fresh on since yesterday.
Black Country - Citra Sublime | 4.50 | | |
Black Country - Chain Ale | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
Black Country - Plum Pig | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
Titsey - Gower Wolf | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
14 Dec 2023 (Jack William)
Bus pass outing to Dover. Just the five of us but a very enjoyable session in this super pub. All ales served in oversize glasses - a full pint and a good head.
Black Country - Citra Sublime | 4.50 | | |
Dorking - Platinum ESB | 5.20 | | A good strong bitter, not sure why they name it thus. |
Titsey - Gresham Hopper (was 3.7%) | 3.40 | | |
Black Country - Plum Pig | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
22 Nov 2023 (Jack William)
Mid afternoon- just stopped in for a swift one after a pensions meeting. Too many familiar faces and good beer made it difficult to leave.
Kent - Session Pale | 3.70 | | |
Kent - Tropic Ale | 4.90 | | |
Romney Marsh - Amber Ale | 4.20 | | |
Kent - Winter Ale | 5.50 | | |
31 Aug 2023 (Jack William)
Afternoon visit. Lots of familiar faces. Chatted to BR Martin who recalled a visit to the Crown Posada in Newcastle with Chris Excell a good few years back - thanks to this site I was able to tell him that it was probably 7 January 2015 and that Elvis Presley was playing on the vintage record player.
Tonbridge - Countryman | 4.00 | | A wry good traditional style bitter. |
Tonbridge - Das Kölner | 4.30 | | |
Three Legs - New Zealand | 4.80 | | A fruity, unfined pale ale. |
Brew York - Tonkoko | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
Pig & Porter - Cosmic Jive (now use 3.4% entry) | 3.60 | Not Tried | |
11 May 2023 (Jack William)
Second-Thursday bus-pass outing. They opened early at noon for the six of us. A very enjoyable session and the place was very busy by mid afternoon. Danny continues to be a very good host.
Kent - Black Gold | 4.00 | | |
Musket - Gracious | 5.30 | | |
Triple fff - Comfortably Numb (was 5%) | 5.40 | | Chalked up at 5.4% |
Musket - Trigger | 3.60 | | A bit hazy, drank well though. |
23 Feb 2023 (Jack William)
Afternoon visit, a raft of familiar faces, lively conversation. Excellent way to while away an hour or so before my train home.
Excellent best bitter from Parkway - Grand Slam - at 4.2%
And a “peanut butter stout” from 4 T’s at 4.8% called Squirrel’s Heaven. I wasn’t tempted.
Hop Fuzz - American | 4.20 | | |
Pig & Porter - Skylarking | 4.00 | Not Tried | Appropriate beer for the time of year. A group of skylarks is an exultation! |
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