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A Journey Through Walmer, Deal and Dover’s Micropub Scene
Deal and Walmer boast a fascinating history that stretches back to ancient times, with Walmer recognized as the spot where Julius Caesar landed in 55 BC. Deal was first recorded in the Domesday Book as Addelam and grew into an important port by the late 13th century. In the 1540s, Henry VIII built Deal, Walmer, and Sandown Castles to protect the coast. Over the years, both towns transformed from fishing and farming communities into military strongholds. Nearby Dover has always been a key port because of its closeness to France, playing vital roles in numerous historical battles and trade throughout the years.
The Freed Man is a cosy little micropub located in Walmer, which opened its doors in January 2016, thanks to former licensee Ian Goodban. The place is all about giving customers more freedom in their drink choices. With its nautical-themed décor and historical touches like a Victorian Beer Engine, it really has a unique charm. Over in Deal, The Just Reproach encourages socializing without any distractions, boasting a no-phone policy and serving up four cask ales. Meanwhile, Smugglers Record Shop merges a bar and a record store, complete with live music. The Hoptimist in Dover offers a contemporary vibe and a diverse selection of beers. Lastly, The Staggered Inn is a family-run micropub that hosts community events and has a welcoming atmosphere, while Breakwater Brewing Company features a chic taproom that emphasizes local ingredients and includes a pizzeria.
The Freed Man
After meeting up with Martyn Hillier for the day we headed to Walmer. My first call was to The Freed Man. is a cosy micropub in Walmer that opened on January 23, 2016, in the old Walmer Post Office building. Ian Goodban, who used to work as a licensee for a big regional brewery, started this place. His past experiences in the tied pub system, where he had little say over prices and product choices, motivated him to create a pub that gives customers more freedom and options. The name “The Freed Man” perfectly captures this spirit of independence from the limitations set by larger brewing companies.
When you step into The Freed Man, you’ll notice its quirky décor, featuring maritime-themed art, vintage mirrors, and a variety of decorative pieces that add to its distinctive vibe. The interior boasts polished wooden floors and comfy seating that encourages guests to mingle. A standout feature is the old Victorian Beer Engine at the bar, which is used for serving cask ales—a rare gem that adds a touch of history to the pub. Plus, there’s a massive whalebone hanging above the bar, which was found on a local beach.
A really warm and friendly welcome in here today. On the bar a line up of 3 cask beers, alongside a number of keg beers and a range of bottles. Here I went with “Independence” from Bristol Beer Factory. A delicious US Style Pale Ale packed full of hop flavour throughout.
The Just Reproach
Next is onto nearby Deal. The first of two visits here is The Just Reproach – Deal’s Micropub, It opened its doors in December 2011 and is run by a father-daughter duo, Mark and Bronwen. This place stands out because it has no TVs, fruit machines, jukeboxes, spirits, or lagers. Instead, it promotes conversation and socializing among patrons. Unlike typical pubs, it emphasizes simplicity and quality. With high benches and table service, it encourages customers to connect with each other without the distractions of music or gaming. Interestingly, The Just Reproach has a strict no-phone policy for calls; if you break this rule, you’ll face a fine, and the money goes to charity.
The pub’s name comes from a poem by Defoe titled ‘The Storm’ (1703), where he makes some not-so-kind comments 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 super warm welcome from Bronwen as it was last time along with a number of locals enjoying the quiz. 4 cask ales to choose from all served gravity from a conditioned room at the back. Here I started on “Timeball Bitter” from local Shivering Sands Brewery. A really tasty and enjoyable Traditional English Bitter, a great malty flavour.
Smugglers Record Shop
Next up is Smugglers Record Shop in Deal. This place serves as both a record store and a bar, featuring a diverse selection of vinyl records—ranging from fresh releases to pre-owned finds—spanning genres like local bands, world music, folk, psych rock, and roots music. The shop originated from the Smugglers Records label, which was established after a series of serendipitous meetings in the lively seaside town of Deal. What began as “The Smugglers Sessions” in a pub has transformed into a thriving record label and shop, becoming a cultural hotspot for music enthusiasts.
The shop boasts a lively vibe where patrons can enjoy live music and special vinyl nights while sipping on their favourite drinks. This blend of music retail and socializing makes it a distinctive cultural centre in Deal. Inside, the décor is a mix of styles that pays homage to its musical heritage, with designated areas for browsing records and enjoying beverages.
A fantastic warm welcome in here from Troy and was great chatting. A selection of two cask ales both from local breweries, alongside a great selection of cans and bottles in the fridge. A brilliant spot. A delicious and very tasty Session IPA in here from local Time & Tide Brewery. Named after fisherman from the North end of Deal. The fisherman used to catch sprats and then BBQ (waffle them) on the beach and eat them. A super juicy beer.
The Hoptimist
Next was a short journey to nearby Dover. Here I started with The Hoptimist which started its journey as Pier Three back in 2013. It changed its name to Mash Tun in 2014 and kept that title until 2019. After a significant renovation, it reopened as Hoptimist Taproom & Bar in December 2019, kicking off a fresh chapter for the venue. This makeover positioned it as a lively spot near Dover’s town centre, close to popular places like Market Square and St. James Retail Park.
Inside, The Hoptimist is all about creating a warm and inviting vibe. It boasts a modern yet cosy atmosphere that encourages patrons to mingle. The layout offers both casual seating and communal areas perfect for games or enjoying live music. A standout feature is the upright piano, although most tunes come from a sound system. Plus, there’s a small patio out back for outdoor seating, adding to the overall charm.
A great welcome from Danny behind the bar and was great bumping into Paul again in here who I met last year. Was great chatting to Paul, Karen, Jane and a few more of the regulars. On the bar a great line up of 4 cask ales, 8 keg lines and a range of ciders served from a temperature controlled room. “Pale #3” from The Three Legs Brewing Co was my beer choice. A very light and sessionable pale ale using Cascade and Columbus hops. Very easy drinking.
The Staggered Inn
Next up is The Staggered Inn , which used to be called The Thirsty Scarecrow. This is a charming micropub in Dover. The Thirsty Scarecrow was actually the first micro-cider house in Britain, opening its doors in 2015. Before that, it was a Corner Café that has roots going back to the 1920s, although it was amusingly not located on a corner, just next to one. Jason and Serena Scoble took over the place in December 2022 and spent six weeks giving it a fresh look as the “Staggered Inn.”
This family-run micropub has a warm and inviting vibe, featuring a snug main bar area with the bar situated on a mezzanine level. The décor is adorned with stag motifs, adding a unique touch. There’s also a lovely decked patio at the back for those who enjoy the outdoors. The atmosphere is friendly and community-oriented, making it a perfect venue for social events like quizzes and karaoke nights.
A great warm welcome from Jay and a number of regulars in here, and the feel of a really friendly place, even doing a Chippy night on a Tuesday. On the bar was 1 cask ales (due to them going on holiday the day after), but the photo is their regular selection of 3 cask ales and a keg beer, a nice choice of styles. A very enjoyable “Best Bitter” from local Romney Marsh Brewery was my beer choice in here. A lovely chestnut colour and brewed using Goldings and Bramling Cross hops both from the UK.
Breakwater Brewing Company
Last call is Dover is to Breakwater Brewing Company, situated in Dover, opened its doors in January 2017. It was built on the site of the old Harding’s Wellington Brewery, which shut down in 1890. The brewery was started by Andrea Evans and her husband Victor, who teamed up with a local beer lover to set up a modern brewing facility using second-hand gear from London. The taproom boasts a stylish design with wooden furniture and vibrant décor, creating a friendly atmosphere for patrons.
The brewery focuses on producing a range of beers, including cask ales and craft keg selections, prioritizing local ingredients and seasonal flavours. They are dedicated to supporting local businesses through various partnerships and collaborations. Alongside its beer selection, the taproom features a pizzeria that offers delicious wood-fired pizzas baked in a stone oven. Regular events like live music nights and open mic sessions contribute to the community feel of the place. With its unique mix of brewing heritage and contemporary hospitality, Breakwater Brewery has become a favourite spot for both locals and visitors in Dover.
Inside, the space is modern and well-lit, featuring sturdy wooden furniture and colourful table runners. The bar counter is designed to resemble a stone breakwater, adding to its distinctive look. Large windows flood the area with natural light, enhancing the welcoming vibe. The brewing area is visible through glass partitions, showcasing the brewing equipment. The seating arrangements are cosy, with both booth-style setups and smaller tables, complemented by trendy décor like patterned chairs and modern artwork. Overall, it strikes a balance between a stylish atmosphere and comfort, making it an inviting place for customers.
On the bar a great choice of 9 cask ales, 12 keg beers and a great choice of ciders to choose from. Here I went with one of their cask ales, “Buckland Pale Ale”, a really juicy and flavourful pale ale, very sessionable and enjoyable.
Micropub Adventures 
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