Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') Dark Conspiracy

Tasting Summary

These comments are the opinion of the individual reviewer and represent what they thought of the beer on a particular day in a particular pub. If a review is less favourable, it may be because the beer suffered somewhere in the supply chain between them and the brewery.

Furlongs Ale House, Faversham, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William		11 Feb 2023	This may have rated a “good” score - but as a dark beer with a good ABV I was rather disappointed by the lack of flavour and body. Went down easily all the same.

Artillery Arms, Ramsgate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Dosser		30 Dec 2022	Top pint
Dosser		11 Dec 2022	Top quality. £3.80 a pint.
Dosser		26 Sep 2021	Splendid
Dosser		14 Nov 2019	Theyve got 3 more casks in the cellar as its going down that well.
Dosser		11 Nov 2019	In fine nick
Dosser		07 Nov 2019	In top condition
Blair		13 Feb 2011	This beer seems to have become a local staple, I'm not complaining.
Blair		05 Feb 2011	Just fantastic really.
Blair		22 Jan 2010	I definitely preferred this beer last year, however, it is still top notch. Rich, dark and fruity.
Blair		04 Dec 2009	Thick dark and delicious.
Blair		13 Nov 2009	Rich and complex porter. Really is delicious.

The River Ale House, East Greenwich, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		19 Dec 2022	Slight loss of condition since yesterday
Philip Pirrip		18 Dec 2022	Quality Gadds'
Philip Pirrip		17 Dec 2022	Gadds' quality
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	29 Oct 2021	Ran out
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	28 Oct 2021
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	27 Oct 2021
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	26 Oct 2021
Philip Pirrip		25 Oct 2021
Philip Pirrip		24 Oct 2021	As it should be

The Hovelling Boat Inn, Ramsgate, Kent

The White Swan, Reading Street, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Dosser		09 Nov 2019	Nice pint.
Blair		09 Dec 2008	The best this beer has tasted! Rich, thick and exceptionally smooth. I had 3 and each one tasted better than the one before.

The Conqueror Alehouse, Ramsgate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Dosser		26 Oct 2019	My pint was better than Mr Ps I think.
Philip Pirrip		23 Oct 2019
Philip Pirrip		16 Oct 2018
Dosser		05 Jan 2018	Fine pint
ChrisE	Not Tried	02 Nov 2011
ChrisE	Not Tried	22 Mar 2011

The Paper Mill, Sittingbourne, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		28 Feb 2019

Mind the Gap, Broadstairs, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Dosser		28 Oct 2018
Dosser		08 Jan 2017	A little too cold for my liking. Served by the most polite barman ever.
Dosser		27 Dec 2016	Fine ale
Andrew		17 Dec 2016	Nice and dark-fruity if lacking a bit of condition

Leyton Orient Supporters Club, Leyton, Greater London

Larkins' Alehouse, Cranbrook, Kent

The Red Lion, Ramsgate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		16 Oct 2018
Dosser	Not Tried	28 Dec 2016
Dosser		12 Dec 2016	Yummy
Dosser		23 Nov 2016	Top beer

Montefiore Arms, Ramsgate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Dosser		29 Dec 2017	Very nice
Jack William	Not Tried	22 Nov 2015
Blair		07 Nov 2008	Black, american style winter warmer. Used to be known as 'Fall Over' but apparently that promoted irresponsible drinking so Eddie had to change it. Really nice beer, sweet and chocolatey with a fair amount of carbonation. I liked it a lot.

The Rose of England, Ramsgate, Kent

The Butchers Arms, Herne, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William		12 Dec 2017	Delicious full-bodied winter warmer.
ChrisE		21 Jan 2010
Andrew		20 Jan 2010	This was an excellent beer but the recipe has changed since last year. Why I don't know because last year's recipe was out of this world.
Blair		22 Dec 2009	Top form, rich dark and chocolatey.
Ian		20 Dec 2008	Towards the end of the barrel, but the flavours are still amazing. Choc is really good, good malty flavours, rounded.
Glyn		20 Dec 2008	Dark and strong
Mick		19 Dec 2008	Very nice, dark and rich. Roast malt, molasses, chocolate, very smooth, a bit sweet for me but still v nice.
Mick	Not Tried	02 Dec 2008
Andrew		02 Dec 2008	I'd seen on one of Phil's websites that he thought this was an "American Fireside Porter". Given that description I was expecting not to like it overly and had a fear it might be like Porterhouse's Celebration Stout. Fortunately it was nothing like it. It was black in colour and had a milky body with a slight sourness to it. The hops were superb, subtle yet pervasive. There was a slight hint of honey flavours and some mild burnt malt too. It reminded me of really good Larkin’s Porter combined with really good Black Cat Mild. Top stuff.
Mick		30 Nov 2008	My first taste of this, an excellent pint, dark with chocolate and roasted malt,superb.
Ian		29 Nov 2008	Brewed by Eddie, Steve and Phil Lowry. Nice pump clip. Black beer, ruby edges. Lasting beige head. Freshly tapped. Chocolatey beer. Good condition. Very drinkable. Dryish, dry choc finish, little bit of powder on finish, but good balance of juiciness and dryness. Juicy dark fruits, some dark cherry and plum. Some Gadd's typical hop finish. Good choccy aroma. Bit of coffee there too. Flavour grows. Good lasting flavour. I was recommending this to anyone coming in.

The Milk House, Sissinghurst, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Wittenden		11 Feb 2017	Probably 4.5. A lovely dark dry porter.
Wittenden		17 Dec 2016	Same line up as last week.Nowt wrong with that.Toasted blackcurrants.
Wittenden		10 Dec 2016	Dark brown,earthy berries.Intriguing and grown up beer.

Yard of Ale, St Peter's, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Dosser		08 Jan 2017

Bake & Alehouse, Westgate-on-Sea, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Dosser		05 Jan 2017	Quality beer. Beer quality as good as ever since new people took over. 5 ales on.
Philip Pirrip		06 Dec 2012
Philip Pirrip		06 Dec 2012	Moreish

The Bedford, Tunbridge Wells, Kent

Ales of the Unexpected, Westbrook, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		06 Jan 2015

The Tankerton Arms, Tankerton, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William		13 Dec 2014	Thick, black and liquoricy.

Bell & Crown, Canterbury, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Brian		13 Dec 2014	Best beer of the day for me.
Andrew	Not Tried	06 Jan 2012
Blair		19 Dec 2011	Not the best condition I've had this beer in, but it was still a nice pint.
Andrew		29 Nov 2011	Good condition but woah, what is this! Cough candy and tar combo. So thick it crawled out of the glass itself.

The Handsome Sam, Whitstable, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		20 Nov 2014

The Three Mariners, Hythe, Kent

The Phoenix, York, North Yorkshire

The Foundry Brew Pub, Canterbury, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Brian		08 Nov 2013	Nice. Dark, bitter chocolate.
Ian	Not Tried	20 Oct 2012

The Firkin Alehouse, Folkestone, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Alenomore		25 Nov 2012	In top condition. Genuine 5#. A rich, deep dark un'.
Ian		23 Nov 2012	Lots of choc, malt, character, smooth, complex, great condition, so drinkable. This beer was almost my downfall. But delightful.
ChrisE		23 Nov 2012	Magic

The Flower Pot, Maidstone, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Pedro	Not Tried	25 Nov 2012
Pedro		24 Nov 2012
Pedro		23 Nov 2012
Pedro	Not Tried	18 Jan 2012
Pedro	Not Tried	17 Jan 2012
Pedro	Not Tried	16 Jan 2012
Pedro	Not Tried	15 Jan 2012
Pedro	Not Tried	14 Jan 2012
Dosser		14 Jan 2012	Crackin
Pedro		14 Jan 2012
Pedro		13 Jan 2012

The Berry, Walmer, Kent

Jolly Drayman, Gravesend, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Pedro		11 Nov 2012
Pedro	Not Tried	10 Nov 2012

The George & Dragon, Fordwich, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Brian		29 Oct 2012	Really nice light porter. I prefer the Street Light for example, with more coffee and choc flavours but this was good stuff.

The Bowl Inn, Hastingleigh, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Mick		21 Oct 2012	Lovely porter type beer, coffee and toast. Really good.

The Man of Kent Ale House, Rochester, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE	Not Tried	22 Mar 2012
Blair		05 Dec 2008	Great condition. Lively black beer with lots of chocolate and roasted malt.

The Old Brewery Tavern, Canterbury, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Martin the Mildman	Not Tried	24 Dec 2011
Brian		15 Mar 2011	Foamy beige head. Great powdery choc/coffee flavour.
Martin the Mildman	Not Tried	27 Dec 2010
Brian	Not Tried	11 Dec 2008

The New Inn, Canterbury, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
MattyBoy		16 Dec 2011	This is just fabulous

The Crown of Broadstairs, Broadstairs, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Blair		22 Oct 2011	Not at it's best.

The Cat & Custard Pot, Paddlesworth, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Mick		21 Oct 2011	Dark with a cream/brown head, rich toasted malt, coffee and chocolate with some hops, a nice pint.

The Bull, Horton Kirby, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew		18 Mar 2011	Excellent condition. Like drinking milky toasted oysters. Not quite the same beer it was when it first came out but still jolly nice.
Dosser		24 Jan 2010

The Churchill Tavern, Ramsgate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Blair		01 Feb 2011	Still a top notch beer.
Blair		21 Nov 2009	Rich, full in the mourh, fruity and chocolatey this is a wonderful beer.
Blair		03 Dec 2008	This almost deserves 5 stars. rich and chocolatey with a fair amount of roasted malt, a little liquorice and a hint of smoke. Just lovely.
Blair		27 Nov 2008	Fantastic condition. Lots of roasted malt on this one. Once again quite a lot of carbonation. Really nice interesting dark ale.

City Arms, Canterbury, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Martin the Mildman		27 Dec 2010	Dark brown porter with good fruity flavours and some dark malt character. My score 16/20.

The Dolphin, Canterbury, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Ian		11 Dec 2010	very drinkable dark beer with very good malty flavour and mouthfeel
Andrew		11 Dec 2010	Great stuff. Low hopping, slightly milky, slightly roasted. Great body, great stuff.

The Samuel Peto, Folkestone, Kent