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Part of my week in Kent – CLICK HERE to view other posts from the week!
Started the day in Walmer, which is the official residence of the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports. Walmer has a long history of fishing, smuggling and rescuing sailors. Visited “The Freed Man” Micropub here. I headed up next to Deal, this was once the busiest port in England but now is a popular seaside resort. “Just Reproach” was the Micropub I visited here. The coast of France is approximately 25 miles from Deal and can be seen on a clear day. I finished off in Sandwich, which is home to nature reserves and two world-class golf courses, Royal St George’s and Prince’s. “Time & Tide Brewery” have a taproom here which I visited.
The Freed Man
My first call of the day was in Deal to “The Freed Man”. This Micropub opened in January 2016 in a former Post Office. The name comes from the owner running a pub in the past where he was subject to a 100 per cent wet tie – he was told what to buy and what price to pay. He wanted to give my customers a better choice and price, hence The Freed Man. A great name. A warm welcome in here today from Tammy today.
Above the bar is a huge whalebone which had been recovered from the local beach, and the beers are dispensed from a Victorian Beer Engine (looks like a cash register/till). A very unusual way to dispense beer and hardly any of these are left. The walls and ceiling are also covered in lots of different things and looks very interesting.
Paul from Dover came down to have a drink with me in here, it was great to meet him and have a catch up (he came with me to The Just Reproach aswell). Thanks for coming down.
A choice of 4 cask beers on today, alongside a number of ciders and keg beers. I started with “Tidal Moon” from Margate based NorthDown Brewery. A really tasty stout infused with port giving it a very sweet aftertaste, really unusual and different. I went onto “Maltstar” from West Hythe based Hop Fuzz Brewery, a really easy drinking sessionable beer.
The Just Reproach
A short journey to neighbouring Deal brings me to my next call which is to “The Just Reproach”. This opened in December 2011, run by father and daughter Mark and Bronwen. A lovely warm welcome from Bronwen and a few of the regulars in the pub today. Reallt simple layout with seating around the walls and a great selection of tshirts on the ceiling.
The pub takes its name from a poem written by Defoe called ‘The Storm’ (1703) in which Defoe makes some unflattering remarks about the town.
If I had any Satire left to write.
Could I with suited spleen indite,
My verse should blast that fatal town,
And drown’d sailors’ widows pull it down;
No footsteps of it should appear,
And ships no more cast anchor there.
The barbarous hated name of Deal should die,
Or be a term of infamy;
And till that’s done, the town will stand
A just reproach to all the land.
A great lineup of 4 cask ales on today alongside a number of ciders to choose from. Had a bit of extra time here so started with “Fife & Drum” from Maidstone based Musket Brewery. A delicious tasty golden ale. I moved onto “Island Road” from Canterbury based Chislet Brewery made using hops from Deal Hop Farm. A hoppy American Pale ale packed full of flavour.
Time & Tide Taphouse
Onto Sandwich next and a short walk from the station brings me to the “Time & Tide Taphouse”. This was originally Smugglers Beer and Music Café from May 2019 to December 2022 and previously an Electrical Services Shop. This current venture opened in January 2023 by local brewery Time & Tide. Designed to be a relaxed atmosphere where people can enjoy a drink and a chat. The wooden tables and floors give the whole place a very modern feel to it.
A great line up of 12 keg beers from the Time & Tide Brewery, along with a fridge full of cans to drink in or takeaway. I went with a sour beer in here named “Berry Me Now”. A delicious berry sour, lots of tartness.
Micropub Adventures 
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