Kentish pub crawl: Batts, balls and bowls

Location: Holidays in south, north and west Kent

Moodmusic:  ..................... 

Today's memories and soundbites
HooHum .... back to work after time away.  It's hard.  I'm dreaming of beers drunk. I'm not too sure why I noticed this really, but whilst away I seemed to have been surrounded by pubs that somehow had names related to cricket.  Sporting related pub names and signs have always been popular and obviously Kent has a famous county cricket team, firmly connected with Canterbury, so the Bat and Ball opposite the cricket ground there was expected, similarly the Cricketers in the center of the city, the Kent Cricketers in Hawkhurst, the Cricketers Inn at Meopham.  But what about the Timber Batts? What's that mean then .... lumps of lumber .... wooden insulation supports .... or cricket batts?  And what about the Bowl at Hastingleigh, punch bowl or bowl the ball?  The beer was good in any event and I managed to benefit from the upwelling of micro-breweries in Kent which has seen a revival of old breweries in the heart of the ancient hop belt and the old English beer producing landscapes.

Window of the Cricketers, Canterbury

Drinks

The Compasses, Crundale
1. Sunny Republic, Beach Blonde (3.7%)
Reactions
Emotional: Maybe I am drinking this at the wrong time of year?
Critical: A more and more popular style of light blonde/gold beer. Very gentle flavours.  Vague pineapple bubblegum?  Some wash of hops.  Will try this again in the sunshine.

2. Shepherd and Neame, Cobb Tree Old Ale (4%)
Reactions
Emotional: Already forgotten
Critical: I can't find any reference to this on the Shep's site or elsewhere, other than the YouTube video.  It was a non-controversial bitter, of medium body and flavour, that left little lasting impression.

The Rising Sun, Kingsdown
3. Youngs, London Gold (4%)
Reactions
Emotional: Easy 
Critical: This is a plain and easy to drink, very, very quaffable session brew.  There is a very light flavour of hops with a little bit of lemony lemonade citrus.  A beer for the new beer drinker or non-regular beer drinker, or somebody wishing to consume lots on a sunny day!

The Bowl, Hastingleigh
4. The Old Diary, Snowtop (6%)
Reactions
Emotional: Bloody fantastic!! 
Critical: A porter in waiting.  Rich, complex flavours, very full bodied with deep plum fruityness hidden below barley wine richness, finishes with bitter citrus hops, and the tiniest hint of chocolate.

5. Gadds Ramsgate Brewery, Little Cracker (5%)
Reactions
Emotional: Not bad.   
Critical: Great colour.  Medium bodied.  Easy to drink.  Light spice.  Small hint of fruit. Sour cherries at the end?  They sell this in bottles so I'll get some more.

6. Hop Deamon, Skrimshander IPA (4.5%)
Reactions
Emotional:  Yummy ... Kentish
Critical: Could be a session beer by taste which belies the medium strength, so a little bit on the dangerous side maybe?  Makes me think of Kent when I drink it, just like the brewers description, so I guess the flavours of traditional hop varieties are coming through in crisp profusion.  It has that sharp citrus clean hoppy aftertase on the finish.  Really really nice.

The Barn, Crundale
7. Whitstable, Oyster Stout (4.5%)
Reactions
Emotional: I'm a fan!
Critical: Somkey toasted mocha coffee flavours.  Lovely texture smooth and satisfying. Medium bodied with just the right amount of carbonation. Made me crave some smokey seafood alongside.

Kentish trip London view
quick diversion into town

The Shard.  Loving the old, with the new and the newest ....