retiredmartin

August 2024. Sandwich.

Quite a lot of inductees into the Top 100 recently, so any fair I should kick one out occasionally, so let’s say “bye for now” to the Town Wall Tavern* in Coventry, Bass and all.

That releases a space (No. 566) for a gem that has somehow escaped the attention of the GBG despite similar homely characteristics and good beer to the Tavern.

I was convinced I must have been to the New Inn before and missed it off my 14,000 strong GBG tick spreadsheet, but seemingly not.

OK, there’s fifteen (15) pubs in this tiny town of less than 5,000 so you might expect a bit of Guide rotation, but what has the New Inn done to get the nod in 2024 ?

Why ! Add Britain’s favourite beer, of course, though if you think I’m choosing Doom Bar over Gadds while in east Kent…

You can judge a pub by the characters seated at the bar, and when one Old Boy responds to the young barmaid smashing a glass** with “I won’t have that one, looks a bit sharp” you know you’re in safe hands (apart from the broken glass, obviously).

It’s a Thorley Tavern, the mini chain that have kept pubs proper in Thanet for 50 years and made Ramsgate in particular such a draw for our American visitors.

It’s simple, but spotless, from décor to cask, a cool, rich pint of Gadds Seashells (3.5) to erase the memory of a few lesser pints in Deal.

The pub is thriving on a Friday afternoon, including large parties of gentlefolk about to question the bill and probably request the revised total be split six ways.

We feel obliged to have a sandwich, two fish fingers on malted bread that will defeat us. Almost.

£21 for two substantial meals, a quality pint and a lime and soda, served with a smile by a landlady who calls you “me darling“.

If that’s not a Top 100 pub I don’t know what is.

*Yes, I know it’s closing soon (but not yet !). Duh.

**Yes, the Old Boys DID all shout “Wahey“.