To call the Butcher's Arms a pub does not really do justice to this charming establishment. It's a tiny room which is full of character and warmth; lovely old butchers blocks serve as high tables with seating for perhaps ten at a squeeze and standing room for a few more.
The ever changing beer offering is chalked up on a blackboard and is served straight from the cask in a small room out back. It's not only the charm of this special little place which will put a smile on your face as the prices are also a pleasant surprise; most pints on our visit were around £2.50. I saw no evidence of anything other than beer for sale and didn't even think to enquire; this place is all about the ale.
B was in the mood for something light so went for the Dark Star Hophead; this was also very popular with our other drinking companions who were ordering it in very fetching 2 and a 1/2 pint jugs. I kicked off with a pint of Larkins Traditional which was a nice light start to the evening and very drinkable at 3.4abv. By the time I had finished my pint we were deep in conversation with the owner Martyn and a couple of other beer enthusiasts from a nearby town who had made a special journey to The Butcher's Arms. I'm guessing that by the end of most evenings the conversation will have flowed far and wide and many wrongs will have been righted.
Despite being keen to get down to Herne Bay for our supper we decided to stay for another pint; this is what I would call a "sticky" pub. Inevitably the conversation moved on to the Kentish brewing scene and a discussion of what we should look out for during our mini break. As we were about to leave one of our new chums remarked that she would not even clean her toilet with anything from Shepherd Neame (local industrial scale brewing company) - a remark which made me chuckle all weekend and nicely sums up the type of punter this pub attracts.
This little gem is well worth making a special trip to visit but beware it has unusual opening hours. Enjoy ......... read more