Eighteen Kent pubs have been added to the list of the country's finest boozers for the first time.

In all, 145 taverns across the county have made their way into the hallowed pages of the Good Beer Guide 2022.

The book published by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) also shows the number of breweries across the Garden of England has risen to 50 over the last year.

CAMRA national chairman Nik Antona says the figures underline the “resilience of pubs and brewers” during the pandemic – but warns more needs to be done to support businesses.

“The industry is still vulnerable in the aftermath of Covid-19 lockdowns,” he said.

“Breweries still face issues around cost of goods and lack of business rate relief.

“We are calling on the government to make sure the new draught duty rate applies to containers 20 litres and up so all our small and independent brewers can benefit.”

Last year’s guide included the likes of the County Hotel in Ashford, the Unicorn in Canterbury, the Just Reproach in Deal and Corner Tap in Faversham.

The Admiral’s Arm in Queenborough has been a serial award winner, having been named the local CAMRA Pub and Cider Pub of the Year 2018-2020 and Kent Pub of the Year 2019.

The new taverns in this year's guide...

Mariner in The Stade, Folkestone

Potting Shed in High Street, Hythe

Earl of Clarendon in Brewer's Hill, Sandgate

Dog House Pub in Evegate Business Park, Smeeth

Old Dairy Tap Room in Station Road, Tenterden

Twelve Taps in High Street, Whitstable

Eight Bells in Cannon Street, Dover

Elephant & Hind in Market Square, Dover

Hoptimist Taproom and Bar in Bench Street, Dover

Freed Man in Dover Road, Walmer

Anchor Inn in High Street, Wingham

Earl Grey in Vale Road, Northfleet

Iron Pier Taproom in May Avenue, Northfleet

Cotton Mill in Station Road, Swanley

White Swan in Reading Street, Broadstairs

Hopbine in Petteridge Lane, Petteridge

Fuggles Beer Cafe in High Street, Tonbridge

Real Ale Way in High Street, Westerham

To find out more about this year’s Good Beer Guide, which is released today, click here.

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