I’ve passed this pub before without noticing it and I now realise there’s something of the ‘hole-in-the-wall’ about the Thomas Tallis on Northgate in Canterbury.

The open door leads to a narrow passageway and, as well as having several rooms giving you every appearance you’re still at home, this pub is unusual as there is no bar.

Feeling like the converted house it is, there is a very comfortable sitting room at the back and through the delightful leaded glass window at one side there is an even more delightful view.

You know from the moment you walk in you will encounter more beards in this place than you ever will females and there is a strong possibility you could be bored to within an inch of your life by an ale snob.

While we were in, three of the most boorish individuals I’ve seen in a pub for a long while were gathered at a high table in the corner, but fortunately they entertained each other rather than inflicting themselves upon the rest of us.

From the start this place feels like a cross breed, a strange misfit sitting squarely within an area between the traditional old boozer and the trendiest new micropub.

There are heavily beamed ceilings, tiled floors and fairly rustic hefty chairs and tables.

However, there is also a sign warning against unsolicited use of mobile phones and chalkboards listing beer prices.

I avoided anything by Work Shy and also swerved Moose Mousse by Fierce, selecting instead a 5.5% You Can’t Trust A Swan from the Downlands Brewery.

Having scanned all the boards Mrs SD chose a Bombay Sapphire gin and tonic and, for the first time in living memory, her drink was less expensive than mine.

Flying in the face of micropub tradition, no cash is allowed on the premises and all purchases are strictly card only - there is no such thing as a till here.

The IPA was extremely cloudy with plenty of body and packed full of fruity flavours, it had a decent head and zingy aftertaste – a very decent pale ale.

The only pint like it I can remember was a 6.5 One Ski from Pontoon Brewing in Sandy Springs, Atlanta – another excellent citrusy American IPA.

In keeping with its split personality there were two very different barmen on duty, a good cop, bad cop combo if you will.

The first fellow to greet us, who appeared to be senior, was grumpy at best, surly and rude at worst – maybe he’d decided we were tourists as he seemed to treat anyone who fell into this bracket with complete disdain. The second guy on duty was the polar opposite, friendly, chatty, pleasant and welcoming in equal measure. Both were, of course, heavily bearded and although I’ve called them barmen it’s a misnomer as there is no bar, they’re really servers.

I liked lots of little touches here: A H&S notice in the fireplace reading ‘Fire may be hot’; tankards hung from the ceiling; a beer towel on each table and a pile of beer mats; cushions dotted about on wooden seats.

However, the place does feel as if, to some extent, it’s been created for tourists.

I’m told it’s existed in its present incarnation for six years and has a sister pub, the Just Reproach, in Deal.

With wooden boarded and tiled floors dogs, unlike tourists, are obviously welcomed as there were several mutts in and one was even enjoying a snack – food as such isn’t available but there was a sign assuring peckish punters that pork pies, Scotch eggs and cheese are just the ticket.

There’s no room, and it’s not the sort of place, for such things as darts, a pool table, a jukebox or screens of any sort but I noticed you are observed by CCTV and they’ve managed to squeeze in a set of coloured fairy lights.

The toilet is a male/female shared affair, which Mrs SD noticed was a little smelly, but it is brightly decorated and has an informative sign explaining the state of the plumbing and requesting all users to be mindful.

There are several benches with umbrellas out front and the pleasant barman reported that on its busiest Saturday he had needed to re-chalk the names of no fewer than 14 new beers on the board so there’s no denying this is an incredibly popular venue.

And, this unusual crossbreed pub/micro pub is only going to become ever busier with both locals and ‘just-about-tolerated tourists’ alike.

The Thomas Tallis Alehouse, 48 Northgate, Canterbury CT1 1BE

Decor: Lots of shabby chic charm with some great features, heavily beamed walls and ceilings. It would have scored top marks, but you can’t help feeling some elements have been created specifically as a trendy tourist trap. ****

Drink: With a list as long as your arm of very decent beers and ciders, plus back-up from a whole host of other drinks, this has to be a winner. My IPA was absolutely top notch. *****

Price: The cost of the drinks is set to the city in which it’s located, these are very much Canterbury prices. I’m sure they have no difficulty securing customers despite the charges. My pint was £6.30, though Mrs SD’s G&T a slightly more reasonable £5.50. **

Staff: Mr grey beard was about as miserable and intolerant of tourists as it’s possible to be, Mr darker, more-gingery, beard is the complete opposite and was a joy to meet – you pays your money and takes your chance. ***

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