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Part of my week in Kent – CLICK HERE to view other posts from the week!
Starting off in Rainham visiting “The Prince of Ales” Micropub, jumping on the train one station up to Gillingham for “Past and Present Alehouse”. Then heading up to Strood to visit “10:50 From Victoria”, onto Gravesend for a trio of Micropubs starting with “Three Pillars” and moving onto “The Mole Hole” and “Compass Alehouse”, and finishing at Rochester visiting “RAMS – 12 Degrees” Micropub.
Prince of Ales
A short walk from Rainham Railway Station brings me to my call here to “Prince of Ales” Micropub. This opened in March 2016, having formerly being a convenience store. A fantastic one roomed Micropub with seating around the walls, along with a couple of smaller booths overlooking the windows. Great welcome here from Karl along with a number of regulars. A great small outdoor beer garden to the rear as well.
A great line up of 4 cask beers on the bar today along with a wide selection of ciders as well as other drinks. I went with “Straight Red” from Folkestone based McCanns Brewery. A delicious and tasty Red Ale. Love this style of beer but I don’t often see them around.
Past and Present Alehouse
A short walk from Gillingham Railway Station down the high street brings me to “Past and Present Alehouse”. This is the second site using this name, the original was a Micropub which opened in August 2014 and closed in March 2020 before moving here. A large room upon entering the pub, along with another room further back with some more seating. A great warm welcome from Dave, Lorraine, Sam and Kelly along with some of the regulars.
A choice of 3 cask ales on the bar today alongside a number of keg options. I went with “Gorgeous George” from Maldon, Essex based Mighty Oak Brewing Company. A tasty and easy drinking traditional English Bitter.
10:50 from Victoria
Located around a 10 minute walk from the Railway Station, the “10:50 from Victoria” Micropub opened in March 2015 in a railway arch. This Micropub gives the feel of a railway waiting room, a small one roomed Micropub covered in railway memorabilia and other items. The bar got its name because it is the 1,050th railway arch from Victoria, which is number one. Time is called by ringing the traditional bell at 10.50pm with 10 minutes to drink up. A really warm welcome from owner Bob and Andy serving today.
The outside seating area is amazing, a large area with lots of seating including a number of huts which you can sit inside and are beautifully decorated inside, even having wallpaper.
The signal on the wall shows when the Micropub is open. If the signal is up then they are open. This can be seen for some distance with how high up it is.
A great line up of 7 cask beers to choose from in here today. I started with “North Downs Gold” from Surrey based Titsey Brewing Co. A light and zesty blonde ale. I went onto “Golden Lobster” from Brentwood based Brentwood Brewing Co. A very easy drinking pale ale.
Three Pillars
My first call of 3 in Gravesend is to “Three Pillars”. This opened underneath the Masonic Hall in 2017, and is entered via a set of stairs taking you downstairs. This was formerly the Masonic Halls own pub. A lovely feeling in this downstairs pub with brick walls and stone floors. A great warm welcome from Kevin and Joy in here.
A great line up of 5 cask beers served from a cold room alongside a number of ciders. I started with “Muzzleloader” from Maidstone based Musket Brewery. A delicious smoky winter ale. I went onto “Orange Crush” from West Malling based Kent Brewery. A delicious pale ale with oranges, really tasty.
The Mole Hole
A short walk back into town brings me to “The Mole Hole”. Located in a former Tattoo shop, this Micropub opened in July 2019. “A trip to this new underground drinking den could lead you to bump into a hooker or get into a ruck”, named after the local Rugby Club – The Moles. On entering a few seats upstairs, with a staircase taking you down to the bar downstairs. A great warm welcome from Paul and Debbie.
A choice of 3 cask beers on the bar today, along with a couple of keg and bottle choices. I went with “Mole Hole Pale Ale” from Gravesend based Iron Pier Brewery. A really easy drinking and refreshing pale ale.
The Compass Alehouse
My final call in Gravesend is to the first Micropub in Gravesend, “The Compass Alehouse”. This opened in October 2014 and was formerly an estate agents. A lovely Micropub which has a large room at the front fitted with bench seating and high tables, some of which use wood from church pews. A small room at the back and a small outdoor seating/smoking area. A great warm welcome from John and Rachel in here.
A great choice of beers to choose from in here, with 4 cask beers, 4 keg beers and a range of ciders. I started with “Dune Buggy” from Margate based Northdown Brewery, a light and hoppy pale ale. I went onto “Old Chestnut” from Tonbridge Brewery. A delicious malty and rich bitter.
RAMS – 12 Degrees
My final call of the day is to Rochester (this Micropub is closer to walk to from Chatham Railway Station). “RAMS – 12 Degrees” is a great Micropub that opened in September 2018, the RAMS meaning “Real Ale Makes Sense” which is the owners view and the 12 degrees being the temperature Real Ale should be served at. An upstairs room with the bar and ample seating, alongside a cellar room used to host music events. A great warm welcome from Debbie and a couple of the regular customers in here this evening.
A choice of 7 beers to choose from in here this evening. I went with “The New Black” from West Malling based Kent Brewery. Their version of a black American Pale Ale. Very refreshing and tasty, a great beer.
Micropub Adventures 
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