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Part of my week in Kent – CLICK HERE to view other posts from the week!
Today takes me to Margate, what was once a small fishing village, was transformed into a popular seaside resort. I am visiting 6 different pubs whilst in Margate today. I started with “The Harbour Arms” on the pier head before moving onto “XYLO Brewery”, “Two Halves”, “The Fez” and “xxxx”. I finished with “Ales of the Unexpected” located the other side of the railway station.
The Harbour Arms
My first call in Margate is to “The Harbour Arms”. This is located on Margate’s stone pier and originally opened in 2 small fisherman’s net stores in May 2013, in May 2015 it moved to a adjacent larger unit. A great little one roomed pub with a maritime feeling and really quirky. Had to avoid the waves coming over the buildings when walking down the pier due to the wind. Nice warm welcome in here from Tai.
A selection of 3 beers available today to choose from. I went with “English” from West Hythe based Hop Fuzz Brewery. A delicious traditional English bitters packed full of flavour.
XYLO Brewing
A walk back down the pier and onto the promenade brings me to my next call to “XYLO Brewing”. The brewery was setup in 2019 and this holds both a microbrewery and a taproom. The name comes from “Xylose” (a five-carbon sugar that yeast strains used in brewing). Was great to meet one of the two owners, Ben in here this evening and a great warm welcome from Beth behind the bar.
A great range of beers, a large number brewed on the on site microbrewery alongside some collaborations they had done and some guest beers. A great selection of styles to choose from. I started with “A New Dawn”, a delicious Session IPA. I was given a tasting tray from Ben to try a few different beers they had on. “Kentish Kolsch”, “Sabro”, “Flavedo Loco V2” and “Joined at the Ship”. Some really great tasting beers and packed full of flavour.
The Two Halves
Next call is to “The Two Halves”, located on the front as well. A fantastic one room Micropub which opened in July 2015 in a former retail premises. A very bright and clean pub which has lots of Margate memorabilia around the place. A cold room located at the back of the pub. Very warm welcome from Jackie this evening. A beautiful place to sit and watch the sunset over the sea also.
A choice of 4 cask ales on the bar today, along with a wide selection of ciders and gluten free beers. I went with “The Quiet American”, from West Malling based Kent Brewery. A really delicious hoppy pale ale, packed full of flavour.
The Fez
A short walk onto the street behind the promenade brings me to my next call into “The Fez”. This opened in December 2015 having been a former Greetings Card Shop. A very quirky and eclectic pub which is covered in fairground and brewery memorabilia, including a waltzer car and lights above the toiler which change from green to red. Was awesome to see a Ukulele band playing in here this evening as well. Really warm welcome from Ruby in here.
A choice 2 ales on here this evening, I went with “Fez House Bitter” which is brewed by New Romney based Romney Marsh Brewery. A very easy drinking traditional English Bitter.
Little Swift
A few doors down is my next call into “Little Swift”. A food venue alongside a bottle shop. Split over two levels with a entrance on both the front and the road behind. The lower level overlooks the sea and the higher level has the bar and bottle shop, also selling a great selection of cheeses and other items. Nice warm welcome from Charlie and Beth.
A choice of 11 draught lines in here alongside a number of ciders. I went with “Warm Shade” from Canterbury based Floc Brewery. A delicious flavourful pale ale, really delicious and easy drinking.
Ales of the Unexpected
My last call of the night is a short walk to the other side of the Railway Station to the Westbrook district of town and is to “Ales of the Unexpected”. This was opened in a former Fishmongers in 2013. A longer Micropub with the bar located at the rear of it. A really warm welcome in here from Jez and was brilliant chatting to a few of the regulars in here.
A great line up of 3 beers alongside a wide selection of ciders and other drinks to choose from. I went with “The Miller’s Ale”, from Canterbury based The Canterbury Ales. A delicious and easy drinking traditional English Bitter.
Micropub Adventures 
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