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Louis Armstrong (Free House)
We believe this pub is CLOSED
| Beer (sort) | Average Score (sort) | No. Samples (sort) |
|---|---|---|
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Little Cracker |  | 1 |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Dependence Day | | 1 |
| Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Snow Top | | 1 |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - The Wife of Bath's Ale | | 1 |
| Romney Marsh - Marsh Sunset | | 1 |
| Breakwater - Dover's Pale Ale (DPA) | | 1 |
| Romney Marsh - Amber Ale | | 1 |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Seasider | | 1 |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - The Merchant's | | 1 |
| Breakwater - Castle on the Hill | | 1 |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 7 |  | 1 |
| Romney Marsh - American Pale Ale | | 1 |
| Westerham - Grasshopper Kentish Bitter | | 1 |
| Breakwater - Castle on the Hill | | 1 |
| Hopdaemon - Skrimshander IPA | | 3 |
| Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Blue Top | Not Tried | 0 |
| Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Up & Udder | Not Tried | 0 |
| Goacher's - Best Dark Ale (aka Original) | Not Tried | 0 |
| Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Spring Top | Not Tried | 0 |
| Westerham - Summer Perle | Not Tried | 0 |
| Westerham - Family Stout | Not Tried | 0 |
| Goacher's - Fine Light Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Romney Marsh - Marsh IPA | Not Tried | 0 |
Visits Details
03 May 2024 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening visit. Almost empty at first then filled towards the 9pm rock tribute band gig. This is the last proper traditional pub in Dover and one of few in the whole of Kent.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Seasider | 4.30 | | Everything in a glass, bitterness and flavour |
| Romney Marsh - Marsh IPA | 4.50 | Not Tried |
05 Mar 2024 (Magnus Greel)
Early evening just 2 other chaps in during our stay, we had a good chat with the barman and enjoyed just the 2 excellent beers on offer.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - The Wife of Bath's Ale | 3.90 | | Fruity malty hoppy and floral complex fare. |
| Romney Marsh - Marsh Sunset | 4.80 | | Rich flavoursome dark fruits ruby ale. |
14 Apr 2023 (Philip Pirrip)
Afternoon visit and first customer in. The last proper pub in Dover, ever un-changing. Diverse conversation with barman.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 7 | 3.80 | | Impressed when ale pulled off before mine served as first out since previous evening |
| Romney Marsh - American Pale Ale | 5.00 | | Impressed when ale pulled off before mine served as first out since previous evening |
17 Mar 2023 (Magnus Greel)
Arriving not long after 15.00 opening sadly we were the only customers during the hour or so we stayed. Easily 15+ years since my last visit and pleased to see nothing has changed in this timewarp of a pub..
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breakwater - Dover's Pale Ale (DPA) | 3.80 | | Dry and refreshingly hoppy yet full bodied for its ABV. |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - The Merchant's | 4.00 | | A smooth, mild black stout with gentle roast malts and soft fruity hop notes and a clean fruity finish. |
30 Nov 2019 (Philip Pirrip)
Mid evening visit. I only intended having one but this is such a classic example of a proper friendly local house that I stayed an hour. Country group on stage was excellent, there was a birthday party going on and a couple courting. All as a proper pub should be. Almost left too early as the landlady brought round oven fresh hot cheese rolls and I had 2 in my hand to warm the soul as I walked away along the road.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Snow Top | 6.00 | | Innocent but a heady brew |
| Hopdaemon - Skrimshander IPA | 4.50 | | A sweet bitterness, slight taste of apples |
| Breakwater - Castle on the Hill | 4.20 | | Mid to dark brown basic bitter |
| Goacher's - Fine Light Ale | 3.70 | Not Tried |
14 Dec 2017 (Jack William)
Disappointed that this was closed just before 1 - but the landlady saw 7 of us hovering and kindly opened up. Normal opening time is 3 pm.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Little Cracker | 5.00 | | Xmas pud in liquid form. |
| Hopdaemon - Skrimshander IPA | 4.50 | | |
| Westerham - Summer Perle | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Westerham - Family Stout | 4.50 | Not Tried |
09 Jun 2017 (ChrisE)
I was travelling on a bus from Walmer to Dover and it went past here, well it would have been rude to go past so I alighted. A superb pub not to be missed.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breakwater - Castle on the Hill | 4.40 | | Described as a dark amber beer, but my pint seemed more dark than amber, hazy but very tasty. |
| Goacher's - Best Dark Ale (aka Original) | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Spring Top | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Hopdaemon - Skrimshander IPA | 4.50 | Not Tried |
02 Mar 2017 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening. Two others left as I arrived. Good chance to chat was barmaid about life and especially about landlady Jackie's health. Probably Dover's last remaining proper pub.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Romney Marsh - Amber Ale | 4.20 | | |
| Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Up & Udder | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Hopdaemon - Skrimshander IPA | 4.50 | Not Tried |
16 Dec 2016 (ChrisE)
Afternoon visit, it was good to see Jacqui sitting at the bar, we had a good conversation. She told me that she provided Christmas lunch last Wednesday and all tables were occupied, at £5 for gammon, turkey, mashed and roast potatoes, pigs in blankets, parsnips, sprouts etc., and beer at £2.50 per pint I am not surprised it was busy.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westerham - Grasshopper Kentish Bitter | 3.80 | | |
| Hopdaemon - Skrimshander IPA | 4.50 | | |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Little Cracker | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Blue Top | 4.80 | Not Tried |
16 Jul 2016 (ChrisE)
I was with a large group from Peterborough Camra, we arrived here soon after 2pm and there were already a few other customers in the bar (it is likely that Stephen Harris of this site was one of them). It was good to see the landlady at the bar in good spirits.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Dependence Day | 4.00 | |
About the Louis Armstrong
Summary of Beer Scores
| Total | |
|---|---|
 | 1 |
| 26 |
| 15 |
 | 5 |
 | - |
The pub is found in Dover, Kent, CT16 1RA.
Originally called The Grapes, a former Bass Charrington house in Maison Dieu Road. I came here after its review in the Good Beer Guide said it was lively and had live bands on. It ticked one of those boxes. There was a band on and they were quite good, unfortunately there was nobody else in the pub! It was probably due to everyone being at Crabble Mill but it was a shame to see. This place had great beer, really friendly staff and the band were great guys too. 4 handpumps on the front bar counter. A small stage in the back for live jazz and other musical events. Nice etched windows on doors to ladies and gents toilets. In September 2012 the landlady here completed 50 years in situ - a momentous achievement these days. She unfortunately passed away in early 2019. Closed April 2025 with future inevitably now uncertain.
We have visited this pub 32 times, seen 45 different beers and tried 28 of them.
Postcode: CT16 1RA