If you were to ask someone what the county of Kent is most famous for, you are likely to get a handful of mixed responses. Some may say its rich history, such as being known as the ‘Garden of England’, a phrase first used by Henry VIII. Others may draw attention to its architecture, with Canterbury Cathedral providing the prime example of why people from all over come to visit.
However, one aspect of Kent that often goes under people’s radar is the vast number of original beers brewed in the county. At the Bay Tree Bar & Grill, we are fortunate enough to stock and sell a large assortment of some of the many outstanding homemade beverages from Kent and take it from us, there is plenty out there to enjoy!
Across Kent’s many towns and villages, you’ll find a whole assortment of local breweries, each home to their own unique lagers, ales and Bitters. With so many available, it can be difficult to decide where to start if you’re looking to sample some for yourself. To get you started, we’ve put together some of our favourites.
While the team behind Curious Brewery have only been around since 2011, they have been quick to position themselves as one of the biggest and best breweries in Kent. While they have a number of different beverages available, their staple Curious Brew Lager is our clear favourite.
A cleaner, fruitier taste than your regular lager is achieved through the use of Galaxy and Cascade hops, as well as re-fermentation with Champagne yeast. As the people behind the beer describe it, it’s “a lager for people who love beer.” What’s more, it’s available on tap at the Bay Tree Bar & Grill.
Situated only a 10-minute drive from the Bay Tree Bar & Grill itself, Racing Tiger is brewed on Great Cauldham Farm and is the brainchild of co-captains Ross Gandon and Jim Fowle.
A dry-hopped lager that’s easy to drink, Racing Tiger is a prime example of Angel & Demons approach to brewing. Classic fermentation methods are used for a smooth, bold taste, while hops from the UK and abroad are carefully selected to tie everything together. If you’re looking to try it yourself, be sure to head to Chambers in town for a pint.
The Bay Tree Bar & Grill are no strangers to Docker Bakehouse & Brewery as their amazing artisanal sourdough bread is currently available on our menus. If being expert bakers wasn’t impressive enough, the team also create their own selection of pale ales and IPA in shipping containers on Folkestone’s Harbour Arm.
While all of them are unique, their DFL, a citrusy and hoppy London-style American Pale Ale is definitely a favourite among the Bay Tree Bar & Grill team. Try it for yourself the next time you come in for a visit.
A microbrewery located just outside of Tenterden, Old Dairy Brewery is home to numerous beers that have won both local and national awards.
For something a bit different, we recommend Copper Top, a rich dark premium bitter with delicious toffee and chocolate undertones. The addition of Bramling Cross and Challenger hops make this one you’ll want to enjoy slowly, making it a perfect beer to enjoy alongside alongside a steak or roast dinner.
Being a family run business ourselves, we like to support other local family-run businesses in the area. One such example is Romney Marsh Brewery, which was formed in May 2015 by husband and wife Matt Calais and Cathy Koester.
Their beers are described as accessible, which is the best way to describe their Romney Bohemian Lager. Filtered and lightly carbonated, it’s best enjoyed chilled to get the most out of its flavour. Available by the bottle at the Bay Tree Bar & Grill.
Located just off Canterbury’s City Centre High Street, Canterbury Brewers and Distillers have made a name for themselves through their use of the hop Citra. Strong yet smooth, it takes centre stage in their Foundry Man’s Gold ale.
The Citra hops work alongside the more traditional Magnum hops to create an ale that’s full of flavour that you’ll want to savour.
While Westerham Brewery Co create their beers from their own purpose-built brewery, it wasn’t always so. Back when the company was formed in June 2004, their beers were brewed on a local National Trust owned farm.
Well known for their collaboration with Anno Distillers to produce a limited edition batch of Kent’s first single malt whiskey which can also be sampled in the Bay Tree Bar, Westerham Brewery is also well regarded for their approach to great tasting beer.
Nowhere is this more apparent than in their Grasshopper Kent Red Ale. Dark with a hint of nut from the chocolate malt, this beer is sure to go down a treat, no matter the occasion.
Curious Brewery has already made the list but their wide range of beers means we couldn’t settle on just the one.
Curious Session IPA is a unique combination of three complementary hops. Traditional English Goldings add a fresh sweet flavour, while the addition of Cascade hops help balance it out. Finally, Chinook is added, which gives the IPA its spicy punch. To sample it yourself, be sure to try a bottle at the Bay Tree Bar & Grill.
If you think you may have heard of Shepherd Neame before, chances are you probably have. This particular brewery has been around since 1698, making it officially Britain’s oldest brewery.
All those years have certainly given them a reputation for creating great-tasting beers. If we had to pick one, we suggest Whitstable Bay, Organic Ale. Its soft buttery richness makes for a delightful treat to enjoy on a hot summer’s day.
Last but certainly not least, we return to Romney Marsh Brewery for their Romney Amber Ale. While their lager is light and easy, this unique ale is unfiltered and full of flavour. Winner of the Kent Beer of the Year in 2016 and 2017, you can try it for yourself by the bottle at the Bay Tree Bar & Grill.
Did your favourite not make the list? Be sure to let us know any we’ve missed on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and be sure to come and visit to sample some of the selections yourself.