10/05/22 - The Good Beer Guide Pubs of Faversham

Good Beer Guide Pubs - #668-#670

Our trail of Kentish towns along the A2 continues in Faversham.... home of Shepherd Neame.  A warning we received in the MicroPubs of Sittingbourne.

The Elephant, The Mall, Rother Valley Brewing Copper Ale

My limited pre-visit research indicated that the early publicity for this CAMRA award winning pub contained the missive "I see no Sheps".

From an aesthetic view point, this may be pub of the week. It has a fiercely independent feel, is interesting architecturally and covered in enough internal nick nacks to keep the casual visitor entertained for many visits.

Possibly our most handsome pub of the week

A covered walkway, between the bar and the garden

I think this would be my local, should I ever re-locate to Faversham.

Our visit was brief, for we were hungry.

The Bear, Market Place, Whitstable Bay Pale Ale

The signage details that this is Favershams Oldest Pub - dating from the C16th - and strategically placed on the main market square.

What's that sign - Shepherd Neame?

Regardless of more insipid beer, it simply had to be visited. Our research at the Elephant showed the menu contained "Homemade Suet Pudding". Day 4 on the Saxon Shore Way and we have been pie-less.

The entrance is wonderful - a long corridor with partitioned off rooms that seemingly all lead to the same place. With the exception of the bar, which has its own sealed off area.

Lifted from their Website.

The bear agreed the pie was better than the beer.

Our table was opposite

Furlongs Ale House, Preston Street, Gadds Number 5

Wouldn't be Kent without a micro.

Faversham's First Micro - since 2014 - once a Fish Shop

Odd little place. The first thing that you notice is the very high seating along both walls.  On entry, we felt like condemned men being paraded before the jury.

I'm not brave enough to take my own photos but I have found a fellow blogger (MicroPubBikeRide) who uses Flickr. I'm sure they won't mind a re-direction, provided a credit is detailed.

Hats off to their photo bravery. I was thinking of investing in Rayban Stories for my future micro pub visits.

Raised Seating...... what could be the reason?

Clue here - So those standing can look in the eyes of those seated

As well as the romanticism of the furnishings, the venue benefits from beers served from a proper hand pull. A relative rarity in micro land.

My Gadds Number 5 was full of life, lacings and contained a head.

Staying for another was momentarily considered. But the Limes had the football on.