Twelve pubs and eight breweries in Thanet have made it into the pages of the latest Good Beer Guide produced by CAMRA, (the Campaign for Real Ale).
The CAMRA Good Beer is celebrating its 51st edition with a striking cover and a foreword supplied by Iron Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson. The Guide, which surveys 4,500 of the best pubs across the UK, is the definitive beer drinker’s guide for those seeking the best pints in the nation’s pubs.
Dickinson’s foreword shines a spotlight on the cultural tradition of pubs within the United Kingdom, the importance of protecting the heritage, charm and welcoming nature of pubs and clubs, and not taking them for granted.
The Good Beer Guide includes 145 of the very best pubs across Kent and keeps track of brewery numbers, and notes a net loss of five breweries across the county.
The story is the same across the UK, as although the Guide records 82 new breweries, 142 have closed. This net loss of 60 breweries is a worrying reminder that a lack of support from the Government means dire consequences for local businesses, in the wake of a cost-of-business crisis and the constant pressure of fuel bills.
This year’s Guide contains 910 newly featured pubs, which is a fantastic prospect for the pub trade which has been struggling to stay afloat in recent years following the pandemic and rising fuel costs. The trade also faces an impending threat from unlawful demolitions, which CAMRA has declared a ‘national scandal’ in the wake of the demolition of the Crooked House in Himley.
CAMRA Chairman Nik Antona said: “The last few years have been an incredibly difficult time for the industry, and we need more support than ever before to keep our nation’s pubs and breweries open and thriving. I’d encourage everyone to use this year’s Guide to visit the very best pubs and breweries across the UK and support them for generations to come.”
To order The Good Beer Guide 2024, visit https://shop1.camra.org.uk/product/the-good-beer-guide-2024/
Thanet’s entries in the guide:
Magnet
37 Albion Street, Broadstairs
Kentish ales and ciders alongside others from further afield, including craft beer. A large beer bottle chandelier sets the scene. The beer and cider-loving owners are also passionate about live music and hold monthly jam sessions.
Royston
2 The Broadway, Broadstairs
An uber-stylish micropub and coffee shop near the station that opened in September 2021.
Local and national ales including high-end brewers, and there is an extensive range of cider, canned craft beer, wine and spirits. Local CAMRA pub of the year 2023.
Two Halves
2 Marine Drive, Margate
Friendly, welcoming micropub on Margate’s seafront
The landlord knows his ales and sources them from all around the country.
Fez
40 High Street, Margate
Eclectically furnished micropub, opened in 2015, Brewery and fairground memorabilia adorn the walls while musical instruments are fixed on the ceiling.
Mechanical Elephant
Marine Terrace, Margate
Good-value food and a good selection of well-kept ales is on sale,
Artillery Arms
36 West Cliff Road, Ramsgate
One of the most authentic of all the Ramsgate pubs, this is unashamedly a no-frills real ale boozer with a wide selection of beers on draught. There is a military theme throughout
Hovelling Boat Inn
12 York Street, Ramsgate
A welcoming, dog-friendly micropub that serves a good range of cask ale and ciders /perries,
Montefiore Arms
1 Trinity Place, Ramsgate
Award-winning traditional snug back-street local that enjoys a good reputation with real ale drinkers in the Thanet area. The pub’s name and sign are unique, honouring the great Jewish financier and philanthropist Sir Moses Montefiore
Pub Ramsgate
87 High Street, Ramsgate
A modestly sized, industrial-styled and welcoming micropub offering a good selection of cask and craft beers alongside cider and the occasional Bavarian beer or two.
Red Lion
1 King Street, Ramsgate
Busy pub in the heart of the town centre, probably the oldest surviving pub in the town.
Royal Victoria Pavilion
Harbour Parade, Ramsgate
Splendid pub opened as a Wetherspoon in 2017 in what was originally a dance hall and then casino.
Bake & Alehouse
21 St Mildred’s Road, Westgate
Welcoming micropub situated down the alleyway next to the Carlton Cinema, an oasis for the real ale drinker and a frequent local CAMRA pub of the Year winner.
Breweries
By The Mile Broadstairs
By the Mile began brewing in 2016 in domestic premises. Brewing is currently suspended.
Four Candles
1 Sowell Street, St Peters,
Based in the cellar of the micropub of the same name, Four Candles uses a 2.5-barrel plant and produces up to 10 nine-gallon casks with each brew.
Isla Vale Margate
Isla Vale was established in 2014 from a residential address in Westbrook (Margate) and supplies local micropubs. A one-barrel plant is used to brew its core range as well as a specially commissioned beer for the Wheel Alehouse, Birchington.
Ramsgate (Gadds’)
1 Hornet Close, Pyson’s Road Industrial Estate, Broadstairs,
Established in 2002 at the back of a Ramsgate seafront pub. In 2006 the brewery moved to
its current location, allowing for increased capacity and bottling. A 25-hectolitre brew plant is used.
Northdown Brewery
Unit J1C/A, Channel Road, Westwood Industrial Estate, Margate,
Northdown began brewing in 2018 using a seven- barrel plant. It is run by Jonny and Katie Spanjar.
Shivering Sands
91 Maple Leaf Business Park, Manston,
Established in 2020. Uses an eight-barrel plant, brewing once a week. Its onsite taproom is open on Saturdays and at other times by arrangement.
Wantsum
Kent Barn, St Nicholas Court Farm, Court Road, St Nicholas at Wade
Wantsum Brewery, established by James Sandy in 2009
.Wantsum brews a wide range of traditional and modern craft ale styles packaged in cask, keg, minikegs, polypins, bottles and cans, supplied to outlets throughout the south of England. Onsite taproom and shop
XYLO
Unit 1, 2-14 High Street, Margate
Neil Wright and Ben Atkins set up the XYLO brewery and pub in 2019 using a four-barrel brew plant built in the pub cellar. Keg and canned beer only at the moment.
