The Admiral's Arm, Queenborough

The bar itself here is definitely in micro-pub territory, but the dining area in the side room is probably stretching things a bit? However, it is a very pleasant little place with a good range of cask, craft and cider options, and both parts are full of the expected nautical-themed memorabilia. Four real ales are available from handpumps on the bar-back, with the cool room visible behind the compact counter, and I went for the Cathedral Gold from Milestone (£4.20), although it was perhaps a surprise that none of these were local?

A decent micro with a large gravelled garden, but not terribly atmospheric, and there were too many flies and mosquitoes around for it to be comfortable for long. Ales on were Iron Pier Citra, Canterbury Merchant Stout and Betty Stoggs. I had the latter which was in good condition, though less enjoyable than it should have been due to being served in a plastic glass. It was good to see a clientele which wasn’t the usual CAMRA type, families and normal people enjoying the ales. I’d be very happy to come back, though I’ll sit inside next time.

Just off The Swale at the Westernmost edge of Queenborough, this is a surprisingly large micropub split across two rooms. You enter to the smaller of the two rooms – a bare boarded space with a few high, hard benches and stools around the entrance and a couple of steps up to the bar area which sees the servery along the rear wall and a few high tables and stools to the right. The bar has a smart modern counter with all the taps and handpumps lined up along the bar back which also has a window through to the ‘cellar’ room behind. Boards around the bar list a wide variety of drink options as well as a few snacks. The room has been decorated with all manner of nautical themed items, as you might expect from its name and location, plus a few bits of breweriana, including a ship’s wheel, model ships, beer bottles, brewery mirrors, hop-lined beams, sailor caps, naval charts, CAMRA certificates and knot display cases. A door to the left leads through to a larger second room which was being used for a private function on our visit, with tables arranged in long rows through the centre, so it was difficult to know what this room is normally like. The décor here was a bit more light-hearted and included fishing nets full of plastic sea creatures strung around the walls. A small outdoor smoking area with limited seating can be found out to the left of the building and it appears mobile phone users are also expected to head out here to make or take calls, as signs around the bar threated a £1 fine for anyone caught on their phone inside the pub. The beer boards listed a good cask ale selection which comprised Wansum Black Prince Mild, Boutillers Doris’ Delight, Wild Beer MMXX, Romney Best Bitter and Mighty Oak Winter Wonder. I gave the Doris’ Delight a try, as it was a new brewery to me, and thought it was in excellent condition and a tasty drop. Seven craft keg beers were also listed from the likes of Dark Star, Lost & Grounded and Brew York among others. The staff were really personable, with the landlord stopping by for a chat at one point and a new barman making up for gaps in his knowledge of the beers by being incredibly friendly and helpful. I thought this was a cracking pub that acts as a real asset to the local community. It commits several sins in the eyes of micropub purists, but I don’t see that as being of any great concern when you have beer, ambiance and service of this quality. Absolutely a must-visit if you find yourself out on the Isle of Sheppey, this place will not disappoint.