The Hovelling Boat Inn, Ramsgate

This is a proper micropub with no TVs or music. It's a typical size with mostly low furniture and a few bar stools, although there is no bar. A corridor at the rear leads to the two toilets and a small rear patio. Having opened in Spring 2013 this is now one of the older micropubs. Four beers were available all from non local microbreweries that are fairly commonly found. These were Welton's Dreadnought, Bexley Bexley's Own Beer, Daleside Autumn Leaves and Box Steam Broad Gauge. I went for the Dreadnought (£3.50) and Bexley (£3.00) which were in good nick. Having learnt that the Conqueror was shut due to the owner being on holiday in India I also went for a local dry cider (£3.50) which was excellent. The beer choice was a bit underwhelming but I still thought this was a good micropub.

Official site of The Hovelling Boat Inn - hovellingboatinn.co.uk

Well, I really didn't know this was one of those micropubs which are all the rage round East Kent, so my efforts to find the bar were in vain. The beer's kept in a temperature-controlled lobby just behind the main room. 4 ales (but only 1 from Kent when I visited) and 3 ciders comprised the draft offering, although there's also some wines and a selection of bottles. There's clearly been a bit of money spent with lots of new furniture, polished wood and 6 tables. The glass shop-front ensures a bright airy feel. The Hovelling Boat really didn't feel at all like the low-cost, grumpy old-man's drinking den that often comes across in the micropub manifesto. Indeed it struck me as having more of a future than some of the town's more traditional, though fading, pubs.