The Butchers Arms, Herne Bay

My first visit here:highly impressed. Packed to the gunnels on a dank and bleak January Saturday noon with a works outing from Pfizers.So crowded, in fact, that I wasn't really able to admire all the paraphernalia stowed around the room. In spite of the hordes, Martyn the Guv'nor found time to welcome me and to reminisce about the glory days of my one time local,the Smarden Bell. I really enjoyed my brief visit and the cracking pint of Burning Sky's Plateau.

The original micropub is one of the smaller ones and something of a contrast to Parkerville the latest one in the Herne Bay area. Herne village is separate from Herne Bay giving this place almost the feel of a small country pub. It's a single small room with no bar and beers bought out by the friendly Landlord. It's been open quite a few years now so is well worn in. There were several locals in on my early Saturday afternoon visit. Six beers were available Adnam's Broadside & Tally Ho, Mighty Oak Maldon Gold & Kings and Old Dairy Copper Top & Silver Top. I went for the Tally Ho (£3.95) as it was a beer I hadn't encountered for years and it was excellent. As the blueprint for hundreds of other places including four in Herne Bay itself this is one that has to be visited.

The smallest pub in Kent …and one of the smallest in the country. Converted from an old butcher’s shop some years ago by licensee Martyn Hillier, there are usually four to five beers on gravity, dispensed from out in the old cold store. Beer quality was excellent all-round and served in jugs too if you wished. Ale range has Fullers and Dark Star as regulars, with a couple of guests (usually local) thorn in on top. No lager here, so don’t ask! Atmosphere provided solely by the punters: no TV, radio or music but lots of chat. A no-mobile policy is enforced rigidly and an old device is nailed to the wall as fair warning. Capacity is probably around 20 (the place apparently measures 15' by 12') and inevitably seating gets awkward if there are more than seven or eight punters in attendance, which is pretty much all the time. Plenty of artefacts to have a look at, including old butchers implements (some of the old chopping blocks have been converted to tables which is a nice touch). I was a bit less sure by the cheap plastic meat products suspended from the ceiling though. Also plenty of breweriana to gaze at and a smile was raised by the bottle of Sheps ale hanging from a noose. Beware the unusual opening hours: it normally closes between 1.30 and 6pm but Martyn kindly agreed to stay open a bit longer for our coach party. As the original ‘micropub’ (a term coined by the landlord himself) this really is a must-visit. However those lacking social interaction skills may get a bit less enjoyment out of the place – you’ve got to be prepared to throw yourself into it.

Cracking place the first Micro Pub only had time for a couple of pints both in top order. Small place room for about 20 people and no bar, drinks fetched from the back as required. Not open Sunday or Monday. Public car park at the rear. NO LAGER