The Thomas Tallis, Canterbury

I turned up to this place with the owner on holiday and a stand in who was totally pleasant and friendly but didn't seem to have the authority or knowledge to deal with any problems so my score may not be what this place deserves. As noted below it's an attractive old beamed building rather than the usual micropub shop conversion. There were just two casks on but a whole raft of "Craft" keg. The two casks were Romney Marsh Mellow and Musket Matchlock Mild. I had to send the Marsh Mellow back as it was rank but the Mild was fine. Both were priced at £3.60 which is expensive for a micropub. The "Craft" keg were silly prices starting from £4.50. The few micropubs I've visited that serve "Craft" keg do it as an addition to a decent range of cask whereas this place seems to have things the other way round. I doubt that I would return here.

A delightful heavily timbered pub adjacent to, and perhaps forming part of the curtilage of the ancient Hospital of St John in the Northgate area of Canterbury.Opened earlier this year as an Alehouse, it may or may not be an East Kent Micropub. Coming off the street, where there are, in Summer at any rate, tables and chairs for al fresco drinking,one gets the impression of going down into the pub.The first little room has the beer menu on a blackboard-on my brief visit, cask beers from Goacher's and Tonbridge, though I gather that the choice is often wider, and a large array of beers in keykeg. Beer is stillaged and tapped in an inner sanctum, and brought out to the customer by informative and attentive staff.I found table service somewhat disconcerting, as I'm fairly fidgety, and like to see my beer being pulled, though the hidden tap room can be a feature of a Micro. To the left of the servery room is a larger parlour, with woodburner and a collection of board games much in demand by the earnest , bearded clientele.Further on is an attractive and cosy snug, overlooking the grounds of the Hospital,still used as Almshouses.I sat in the parlour at a high table and drank a Saison l'Hiver from the inspirational Burning Sky brewery from East Sussex. I really enjoyed this pub on a clammy Saturday early afternoon:calm and tranquil,monastic even.

Canterbury's first micropub. Opened 22.03.16.