27 Jul 2016
Tags: Beer, beer fest, Festival, hog roast, Abergavenny, Pub
The refurbished Abergavenny Arms in Frant near Tunbridge Wells is to host a four-day beer festival over the August Bank Holiday, from Friday 26th to Monday 29th August. The highlight of the event will be live music in the pub garden with a hog roast on the Sunday.
During the festival the imposing 16th century pub, which is open all day for food, will serve 18 different beers. These will include many local craft beers and guest ales from around the UK and beyond.
“For me, the final bank holiday Sunday of the summer is the best day of the year,” said pub landlord Richard Burrell. “Party all day with no work to worry about the next morning – except for us poor pub workers.”
A popular destination for beer enthusiasts, the bar normally offers no fewer than six hand pulled ales from Kent and Sussex brewers, such as Harvey's Best, Tonbridge Coppernob, Long Man's American Pale Ale and Best Bitter, Larkin's Traditional and Dark Star's Hophead. Also stocked is Curious Brew from Chapel Down Brewery.
During the beer fest, the usual selection of premium lagers will be added to when the Abergavenny Arms becomes the first hostelry in south east England to serve newly imported gluten Goa Premium Beer from India. Until now the unique 4.8% pilsner had only been available at a few select restaurants.
The will be a barbecue available all day in the beer garden which seats 50 diners.
The pub, situated by the A267, is a popular stopping off point for Londoners visiting the Sussex coast.
In addition to the full a la carte menu, which is served all day, there are midweek specials. Tuesday is Gourmet Burger Night with gourmet burgers served with a choice of six toppings, chips and a pint of beer or glass of wine for only £10. Wednesday is Moules Night – with a choice of Provencal, A La Crème, Cider & Bacon or Thai for £14.95. On Thursdays a Seafood Paella is served at £14.95.
ENDS
Editors' Notes: Photos available.
A former 15th century coaching inn, the imposing Abergavenny Arms is located on Kent/East Sussex border outside Tunbridge Wells on the A267 to Eastbourne. Under new management, the food-fed pub is earning a reputation for its cooking and warm welcome. There is ample parking, three dining areas, a long L-shaped bar plus alfresco seating for 50 customers on the split-level decked terrace. The bar features comfy sofas and a cozy log fire.
The seasonal menu is a blend of traditional and modern British cooking. Fresh Colchester oysters and Orkney mussels are offered when available. Most of the food is sourced locally and the menus change with the seasons.
Opening hours 11am to 11pm Monday to Saturday and 12 from noon on Sundays. Food is served all day until 9.00pm.
History The original simple framed building which brewed its own beer, was built in 1441 during the reign of Henry VI. The first recorded keeper of the tavern then known as 'The Apsis' was William Appes, a former disciple of the Kentish rebel leader Jack Cade. In 1450 Cade's followers marched on London in an attempt to overthrow the Government. The uprising which began in May saw 5000 men gather in Blackhealth in June, who marched on London on 3rd July and were captured on 12th July.
Significant incidents in the rebellion (dramaticised in Shakespeare's Henry VI part II, where Cade's phrase 'dead as a door nail' originates), took place throughout Kent and Sussex in Heathfield, Sevenoaks, Lewes, Faversham, Dover, Canterbury and the Isle of Sheppey.
During the late 16th century the Apsis became 'The Bull', until the 18th century when the lounge bar became the parish courthouse and the cellars used to hold those accused of crimes. The cells, which still exist, were in use until the 19th century. In 1705, “commodious stables” were built and in the mid 18th century, it became a posting house offering refreshments, accommodation and fresh horses.
In 1823 The Bull was renamed the Abergavenny Arms hotel in honour of Lord Abergavenny, still a major local land owner, who owned the property until 1933.
Local folk lore has it that the pub is haunted by the ghost of a coachman who died on the premises in 1770 and was thrown from a window. Had the body been discovered on the premises, a bye law would have closed the inn until after an inquest into the cause of death could be heard. The pub was also situated in close proximity to Frant's 'hanging tree', used to lynch cattle rustlers until the penalty was abolished in 1832. One of the reasons the pub stopped offering B&B accommodation was because of guests complaining of their sleep being disturbed by strange noises and “ghostly apparitions”.
Media Contact: To review contact George Shaw at Avocado Media
T: 01892 750851 M : 07860 695555 E : geo@avocadomedia.co.uk
The Abergavenny Arms, Frant Road, Frant, Tunbridge Wells TN3 9EJ
T: 01892 750 233 Tw: @AbergavennyPub
