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Lobster Shack (formerly The Whitstable Brewery Bar) (Whitstable Oyster Company)

Beer (sort)Average Score (sort)No. Samples (sort)
Milestone - Miss Sippy Jazz AleExcellent1
Dark Star - Hylder BlondeExcellent1
Tring - Nathaniel TitlarkExcellent1
Nethergate (was Nethergate Growler for a while then name reverted) - Lemon HeadExcellent3
Whitstable - Go For GoldExcellent2
Dark Star - Partridge Best BitterExcellent1
Whitstable - Faversham CreekExcellent1
Tring - Fanny Ebbs Summer AleExcellent1
Dark Star - SunburstExcellent1
Whitstable - Renaissance Ruby MildExcellent1
Brentwood - Marvellous Maple MildExcellent1
Nethergate (was Nethergate Growler for a while then name reverted) - Lord of the RingsExcellent1
Dark Star - Over The MoonExcellent1
Whitstable - East India Pale Ale (or EIPA)Good2
Wolf - Coyote BitterGood1
Whitstable - Oyster StoutPoor1
Whitstable - Native BitterPoor1
Crouch Vale - Summer BreezeNot Tried0
Nethergate (was Nethergate Growler for a while then name reverted) - Old GrowlerNot Tried0
Dark Star - Old Ale (aka Old Chestnut)Not Tried0
Nethergate (was Nethergate Growler for a while then name reverted) - Essex BorderNot Tried0
Dark Star - Hophead (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)Not Tried0
Whitstable - Pearl of KentNot Tried0
Whitstable - Kentish ReserveNot Tried0
Dark Star - Dark Star The OriginalNot Tried0
Brentwood - Hope & GloryNot Tried0
Whitstable - Wheat BeerNot Tried0
Nethergate (was Nethergate Growler for a while then name reverted) - 3.9Not Tried0
Whitstable - Raspberry Wheat BeerNot Tried0
Whitstable - Winkle PickerNot Tried0
Dark Star - American Pale Ale (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)Not Tried0
Brentwood - LumberjackNot Tried0
Crouch Vale - Brewers GoldNot Tried0
Brentwood - Heavenly BodyNot Tried0
Nethergate (was Nethergate Growler for a while then name reverted) - Suffolk County Best BitterNot Tried0
Crouch Vale - Yakima GoldNot Tried0
Nethergate (was Nethergate Growler for a while then name reverted) - AugustinianNot Tried0
Brentwood - Gnome BrewNot Tried0
Crouch Vale - Blackwater MildNot Tried0
Brentwood - Pacific Pale AleNot Tried0
Dark Star - FestivalNot Tried0
Crouch Vale - AmarilloNot Tried0
Crouch Vale - Golden DuckNot Tried0
Picture 1. Lobster Shack (formerly The Whitstable Brewery Bar), Whitstable, Kent

Visits Details

27 May 2013 (Stephen Harris)
‘Closed for renovation until further notice’, according to a sign on the door.
BeerABVScoreNotes
21 Jul 2012 (Alenomore)
14:00 visit. Our second stop today and my first time at this event. Having walked all around the incredibly busy harbourside area, to look at all the different food and drink stalls, we finally found this place. Very impressive selection of over 30 ales on from the likes of Tring, Brentwood, Milestone, Nethergate, Dark Star and of course Whitstable, plus 6 Kentish Ciders. Bit of an odd building but plenty of room as most drinkers were out on the beach enjoying the sun. We stayed until 16:30 then departed, fighting our way to the car park ahead of the parade winding it's way through the centre of town. All the usual pubs that should of been visited here were avoided today due to the crowds. Another time for those ones. Recommended.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Dark Star - Sunburst4.80ExcellentVery good.
Nethergate (was Nethergate Growler for a while then name reverted) - Lemon Head4.00ExcellentVery refreshing. Ginger spiced too,
Nethergate (was Nethergate Growler for a while then name reverted) - Lord of the Rings4.20ExcellentAnother light type.
Milestone - Miss Sippy Jazz Ale5.50ExcellentOne of the few stronger types here today. Again, light, very nice too.
Tring - Nathaniel Titlark3.90ExcellentA new ale. Very good too.
Whitstable - Go For Gold4.40ExcellentA new ale. Light and very good too.
20 Jul 2012 (Pedro)
Afternoon - Just beers I tried, as late entering the 31 beers now!
BeerABVScoreNotes
Tring - Fanny Ebbs Summer Ale3.90Excellent
Brentwood - Marvellous Maple Mild3.70Excellent
Nethergate (was Nethergate Growler for a while then name reverted) - Lemon Head4.00Excellent
Whitstable - Go For Gold4.40Excellent
22 Jul 2011 (Pedro)
Afternoon visit for beer festival - met Rafik (the Whitstable brewer) who was there with the three awards he'd picked up at last week's SIBA (SE) judging. Best bitter Gold for EIPA and standard Bitter Gold for Native which went on to scope Gold for the overall champion as well ! Well done Rafik, well deserved success!
BeerABVScoreNotes
Dark Star - Over The Moon3.80Excellent
Dark Star - Hylder Blonde4.20ExcellentBut not to my taste-buds !
Nethergate (was Nethergate Growler for a while then name reverted) - Lemon Head4.00ExcellentLemon and ginger yum!
Dark Star - Partridge Best Bitter4.00ExcellentDidn't particularly like the taste though it was in good nick !
Whitstable - East India Pale Ale (or EIPA)4.10Not Tried
Dark Star - American Pale Ale (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)4.70Not Tried
Crouch Vale - Brewers Gold4.00Not Tried
Nethergate (was Nethergate Growler for a while then name reverted) - Suffolk County Best Bitter4.00Not Tried
Dark Star - Hophead (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)3.80Not Tried
Nethergate (was Nethergate Growler for a while then name reverted) - Augustinian4.50Not Tried
Crouch Vale - Blackwater Mild3.70Not Tried
Dark Star - Festival5.00Not Tried
Crouch Vale - Amarillo5.00Not Tried
Crouch Vale - Golden Duck3.80Not Tried
Crouch Vale - Summer Breeze4.20Not Tried
Nethergate (was Nethergate Growler for a while then name reverted) - Old Growler5.00Not Tried
Whitstable - Raspberry Wheat Beer5.20Not Tried
Whitstable - Native Bitter3.70Not Tried
Dark Star - Old Ale (aka Old Chestnut)4.00Not Tried
Nethergate (was Nethergate Growler for a while then name reverted) - Essex Border4.80Not Tried
Whitstable - Pearl of Kent4.50Not Tried
Whitstable - Kentish Reserve5.00Not Tried
Brentwood - Hope & Glory4.50Not Tried
Nethergate (was Nethergate Growler for a while then name reverted) - 3.93.90Not Tried
Whitstable - Winkle Picker4.50Not Tried
Brentwood - Lumberjack5.20Not Tried
Brentwood - Heavenly Body4.30Not Tried
Whitstable - Renaissance Ruby Mild3.80Not Tried
Crouch Vale - Yakima Gold4.20Not Tried
Brentwood - Gnome Brew3.80Not Tried
Brentwood - Pacific Pale Ale4.70Not Tried
24 Jul 2010 (Pedro)
Lunchtime visit to beer festival but stuck to Whitstable's beers
BeerABVScoreNotes
Whitstable - Faversham Creek3.80Excellent
Whitstable - Renaissance Ruby Mild3.80Excellent
05 May 2008 (Andrew)
A big crome warehouse-shak like thing on the beach. The big white-yellow benches didn't really go with the grey slate floors. Anyway, Ian tried something called "Kentish Lager". He should have know by the name that it would be terrible.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Whitstable - East India Pale Ale (or EIPA)4.10GoodToo cold and in plastic. Bit of rose petal with sharp bitter finish
07 Mar 2008 (Blair)
Came to see the band Hullabaloo. Great atmosphere. Loved the walk to the place, really quirky.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Whitstable - Oyster Stout4.50PoorServed ice cold in a plastic cup. Tasted nothing, might as well of been a pint of guinness extra cold.
Whitstable - Native Bitter3.70PoorIce cold, plastic up. No body or taste.
Whitstable - Wheat Beer5.20Not Tried
Whitstable - Raspberry Wheat Beer5.20Not Tried
10 Aug 2007 (Steve)
stop two on our mini tour eagerly awaiting another pint or two of east india pale ale but alas wasn't on, sat outside some of the more brave ones including gail and dan went for a paddle
BeerABVScoreNotes
Wolf - Coyote Bitter4.30Goodi think my taste buds were affected by the beer being served in plastic glasses didn't seem as nice as the first beer
Dark Star - Dark Star The Original5.00Not Tried
Whitstable - Native Bitter3.70Not Tried
23 Nov 2006 (Ian)
Came here with Phil after The Butcher's Arms and wow what a contrast. This was a little cold in terms of atmosphere and service and we weren't quite sure that the decor quite worked. On tap/keg were the Whitstable Pilsner, Harbour Light, Wheat beer, Raspberry Wheat beer and Oyster Stout.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Whitstable - East India Pale Ale (or EIPA)4.10AcceptableAroma of US hops is alright, but the malts aren't right, thin, not exactly right. Bit watery. Hops fade, very false dry finish. Bit of fruit. Man, this is a bad version, bit of cat's pee on the end. Oh dear.
Dark Star - Hophead (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)3.80Not TriedI had a perfect pint of this earlier in the evening at The Butcher's Arms and I didn't want to spoil the memory
Whitstable - Native Bitter3.70Not Tried

About the Lobster Shack (formerly The Whitstable Brewery Bar)

The pub sign. Lobster Shack (formerly The Whitstable Brewery Bar), Whitstable, Kent

Summary of Beer Scores

 Total
Exceptional-
Excellent16
Good2
Acceptable1
Poor2

Website.

The pub is found in Whitstable, Kent, CT5 2BP.

It's a little difficult to find, but it is signposted from the main road out onto the East Quay. This bar is behind the oyster bar and looks out onto the sea. The location is superb on the pebbley beach. The bar takes up most of the rear of the building including a 15 barrel stillage as well as a couple of tap dispensers. Light pine tables, dark brown sofas and stone flagged floors. Will be very popular during the warm weather. Seasonal winter hours are shorter.

We have visited this pub 9 times, seen 43 different beers and tried 17 of them.

Map location

Postcode: CT5 2BP