The Kent Messenger group of local newspapers here in Kent has a regular column in which a 'Secret Drinker' visits different pubs across the county and then publishes a detailed review of his impressions together with a score for Decor, Drink, Price, and Staff. I have never taken much notice of this weekly column but when I heard my favourite local pub, the Thomas Tallis alehouse in Canterbury, was featured recently I was intrigued to know how it had fared. You can see the full article here. Have a look and see what you think.
Clearly this is not a very serious 'inspection' report and I guess as much as anything the column is a long-running feature that helps to keep readers on board when there is limited local news. But there are a number of sweeping assertions in the piece and I felt it gave an inaccurate impression of a unique and popular watering hole. In order to put the record straight I felt compelled to respond. This is on the website, but good luck in finding it easily given the dodgy links and plethora of adverts! Here was my response …..
"Delighted you are featuring Thomas Tallis aleshouse in Canterbury and on the evidence of a single visit that SD appreciates some of its charms. In particular, the ever-changing range of beers (2 x cask and 12 x keg) is appreciated by the discerning beer drinkers here in Canterbury and, without doubt, it offers the most comprehensive rotation of beers in the city (if not the whole of East Kent). In my opition the prices of the drinks are reasonable. The cask ales are cheap and, rightly, you pay a premium for the beers with higher ABVs. By way of comparison, I have been in York this week where the highly-rated House of Trembling Madness alehouse is charging £5.35 for a HALF pint of a Rivington 8% DIDA (£10.70 a pint!). However, what I find most ridiculous in this review is the suggestion that the Thomas Tallis is somehow cliquey, full of weirdos, and hostile to tourists, and then further amplified by an irrational aversion to anyone sporting a beard. As a reflection of society pubs are patronised by all sorts. In my experience then one of their charms is the opportunity to chat to a random stranger, local or otherwise. With particular regard to tourists they are more than welcome, including a good many visitors from abroad. Long may they recognise a good thing when they see it and be sufficiently open-minded to engage with the natives of Canterbury in order to further appreciate British beer, society and culture”
My rebuttal was probably a waste of time but it was good to attempt to put the record straight. After all, at the moment pubs need all the support they can get. And I did say at the outset that the Thomas Tallis is my favourite pub in Canterbury!
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