And yet more positive news...
Kent pub through to final of CAMRA pub of the year competition
[Article in full...]
"The launch of this year's Good Beer Guide has seen a Kent pub star as a regional finalist in CAMRA's Pub of the Year competition.
The Berry pub in Walmer has been named as the Kent winner of the Campaign For Real Ale contest.
The boozer in Canada Road was described in the guide as a "Far from an ordinary pub, with its 10 handpumps alongside two ciders and a perry. Entertainment includes darts, pool, a monthly quiz and live music on some Saturdays. There is a real ale festival in February, a cider festival in May, and a continental flavour is assured at the Oktoberfest."
The top 16 pubs will go forward and have a chance to win the National Pub of the Year competition, won last year by The Baum in Rochdale. Pubs are judged on their atmosphere, decor, welcome, service, value for money, customer mix, but most importantly -quality of beer.
The Good Beer Guide's Editor, Roger Protz, said: "The Good Beer Guide 2014 is the most up to date guide to the best real ale pubs in the UK and is compiled solely through recommendations and independent judgement.
"Unlike other guides which charge pubs to feature, the Good Beer Guide lists pubs on their merit alone and doesn't charge any pub or brewery for entry in the guide. If you're a lover of real ale and want to know where the best places in the UK to drink are, then the Good Beer Guide is an invaluable resource."
In total Kent has 152 pubs listed in the guide including 33 new pubs and 25 breweries.
But the 2014 guide also features three new Kent micro-breweries including the Caveman Brewery from Swanscombe, the Mad Cat Brewery at Faversham and Walter Spencer & Sons Ltd from Ashford.
Roger Protz says that there has been a boom in microbrewing during the last 12 months with Kent one of the leaders.
He said: "There has been phenomenal growth in the number of breweries producing real ale across the UK, which is fantastic news for drinkers as this creates more choice and more opportunity to buy locally produced beers.""
http://www.yourdover.co.uk/news/kent_pub_through_to_final_of_camra_pub_of_the_year_competition_1_2409330