Kent Micropubs

Gillingham 4 (four) v Sheffield United 0

Saturday 8 August 2015

Twitter @ball_sup

Today was a Micropub day. As if it wasn’t difficult enough to get a workable definition for Craft Beer, we now need one for Micropub. By common consent, attributed to Martin Hillier & his pub The Butchers Arms in Herne, Kent (opened in 2005). So, Kent the home of the Micropub, here were are on an opening day trip to Gillingham.

Small gaffs, in refurbed non-pub premises, no TV/fruit machine/pool table/food fripperies. The two places we visited today didn’t even have bars. In the sense of no bar frontage. The casks were “in the back”. Not even handpulls, dispensed via gravity.

First up, the very offbeat 10:50 From Victoria in Strood/Rochester. A railway arch. There is a little gate at the side of a beauty parlour. A few other railway arch businesses up there. Higgeldy piggeldy garden with tables and chairs. Broadly railway themed in there. In the sense of “some signs”. I wasn’t paying too much attention. I think there were six on. Chalked up on a neat board affair which allowed a small glass of the beer to be placed alongside so you could at least see the colour. One of the guys asks you what you want, he disappears stage right, comes back with it. Some right comings and goings. A local “character” (dungarees & straw hat) appeared to sell a moped which he had brought with him & then buy a boat on his mobile. (He had to make the call in the garden, phones not allowed in the arch).

Next up Past And Present in Gillingham. Your guess is as good as mine. I’m going converted from a shop. A little bit of an outdoor area up the back. Beers chalked up on a board, with accompanying pumpclip. Wasn’t paying attention. Maybe five on.  Anyone in a Past And Present logoed polo shirt can be asked for a beer. The barstaff are walking amongst us. Or, ring the handbell on each table. Ding ding. Fella disappears into an side area, brings your beer back. Superbly welcoming place. I found the 10:50 a little standoffish. But, really they were just being polite & courteous & quiet.

I’d certainly hit both again. Really enjoyed Past And Present.

I did;

Hanlon, Yellow Hammer at 4.2%
Millis, Golden Wobbler at 4.1%
Wantsum, Hengist at 5%

All lovely. But, of course, much more difficult to keep your tasting notes up-to-date in a micropub. You can’t disappear into a corner.

Can you hear me in Riyadh?

We’ve been bombarded with the usual positive feel good nonsense. even stooping so low as new chairs in the dug outs. Meanwhile, other teams have been working out how to defend corners. Great work by the Football League. Gillingham first up. The players have to come off the pitch right in the corner at the Away End. Fingers will be pointed. Gesticulations will be waved. Spittle will fly. I clapped, some boooed.

Reality bites. What were they even trying to do? Possession? Move it fast? Pump it in? Narrow? Wide? We’ll never know. They just never got going at all. I take no pleasure in that result. But, top to bottom, wake up call will help.

And what is down for us now? Panic buys, no better than what we’ve got? Youngsters pushed ever further down the pecking order?

Am I lucky or cursed? Don’t matter to me, I’ll be back next week. Day not ruined, some good beer.

Can you hear me in Riyadh?

185/382