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Louis Armstrong (Free House)

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Beer (sort)Average Score (sort)No. Samples (sort)
Romney Marsh - Marsh SunsetExcellent1
Breakwater - Dover's Pale Ale (DPA)Excellent1
Romney Marsh - Amber AleExcellent1
Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - The Merchant'sExcellent1
Breakwater - Castle on the HillExcellent1
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Little CrackerExcellent1
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Dependence DayExcellent2
Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Snow TopExcellent1
Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - The Wife of Bath's AleExcellent1
Hopdaemon - Skrimshander IPAGood3
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 7Good1
Romney Marsh - American Pale AleGood1
Westerham - Grasshopper Kentish BitterGood1
Breakwater - Castle on the HillGood1
Hopdaemon - Over the TopAcceptable1
Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Blue TopNot Tried0
Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Up & UdderNot Tried0
Goacher's - Best Dark Ale (aka Original)Not Tried0
Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Spring TopNot Tried0
Westerham - Summer PerleNot Tried0
Westerham - Family StoutNot Tried0
Goacher's - Fine Light AleNot Tried0
Picture 1. Louis Armstrong, Dover, Kent
Picture 2. Louis Armstrong, Dover, Kent

Visits Details

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.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - The Wife of Bath's Ale3.90ExcellentFruity malty hoppy and floral complex fare.
Romney Marsh - Marsh Sunset4.80ExcellentRich 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.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 73.80GoodImpressed when ale pulled off before mine served as first out since previous evening
Romney Marsh - American Pale Ale5.00GoodImpressed 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..
BeerABVScoreNotes
Breakwater - Dover's Pale Ale (DPA)3.80ExcellentDry and refreshingly hoppy yet full bodied for its ABV.
Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - The Merchant's4.00ExcellentA 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.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Snow Top6.00ExcellentInnocent but a heady brew
Hopdaemon - Skrimshander IPA4.50GoodA sweet bitterness, slight taste of apples
Breakwater - Castle on the Hill4.20GoodMid to dark brown basic bitter
Goacher's - Fine Light Ale3.70Not 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.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Little Cracker5.00ExcellentXmas pud in liquid form.
Hopdaemon - Skrimshander IPA4.50Good
Westerham - Summer Perle3.80Not Tried
Westerham - Family Stout4.50Not 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.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Breakwater - Castle on the Hill4.40ExcellentDescribed as a dark amber beer, but my pint seemed more dark than amber, hazy but very tasty.
Goacher's - Best Dark Ale (aka Original)4.10Not Tried
Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Spring Top4.00Not Tried
Hopdaemon - Skrimshander IPA4.50Not 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.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Romney Marsh - Amber Ale4.20Excellent
Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Up & Udder4.00Not Tried
Hopdaemon - Skrimshander IPA4.50Not 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.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Westerham - Grasshopper Kentish Bitter3.80Good
Hopdaemon - Skrimshander IPA4.50Good
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Little Cracker5.00Not Tried
Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Blue Top4.80Not 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.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Dependence Day4.00Excellent
16 Jul 2016 (Stephen Harris)
We were the first customers of the day following 2pm opening and had a good chat with landlady and daughter about Dover Pubs and Kentish beers, before a large group of pub-crawlers arrived.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Dependence Day4.00Good
Hopdaemon - Over the Top5.20AcceptableA little sweet I thought.

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About the Louis Armstrong

The pub sign. Louis Armstrong, Dover, Kent

Summary of Beer Scores

 Total
Exceptional1
Excellent25
Good15
Acceptable5
Poor-

Website.

The pub is found in Dover, Kent, CT16 1RA.

Originally called The Grapes, a former Bass Charrington house. 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.

We have visited this pub 31 times, seen 44 different beers and tried 27 of them.

Map location

Postcode: CT16 1RA