SPOTLIGHT ON SUMMERTIME THIRST QUENCHERS

Whether it’s medieval mead or the latest brews from micropubs, we have all the latest food & drink news to whet your appetite for the weekend. By Angela Cole

Mead time in Canterbury...

You can get the sights, sounds and smells of medieval times at the Canterbury Tales – and now you can get the taste too.

The attraction in Margaret Street allows visitors to immerse themselves in the authentic surroundings of 14th century England. Adding to the experience will be a new evening, launching on Friday, July 21, in partnership with The Canterbury Ales, a micropub which has been making hand-crafted ales for pubs across the country since 2010. Visitors will be able to take a tour where each room has a new ale tasting opportunity, in keeping with the theme of the room.

Duty manager Anna Sampson said: “In medieval times, often the only thing people would drink was mead as the water was largely unhygienic so this new event really offers an authentic medieval experience, and of course, is also a great excuse to get together with friends to try something a little different.”

Tour times will be at 7pm, 7.40pm and 8.20pm and the experience costs £20. To book call 01227

696 002, email info@ canterburytales.org.uk or visit canterburytales. org.uk

Second helping of food festival

After the success of last year’s first Hythe food and drink festival, it’s back for a second year this weekend.

The festival, which aims to promote the cultural identity of the area against the historic setting of the Royal Military Canal, will have regional food and drink as well as a range of family entertainment. It runs from Friday, July 21 to Sunday, July 23 at Holman’s Field canal side. There will be a programme of live music and a craft beer bar. Organised by Market Square Group, there will also be Hythe’s own micro brewery and ciders from Kent producers Turners and Wise Owl.

For details go to marketsquaregroup.co.uk/ pages/hythe-food-anddrink-festival

Raise your glass to the Pilgrims

The Woolpack Inn in Smeeth near Ashford is set to hold its first charity beer festival in aid of the Pilgrims Hospice.

The festival runs from Friday, July 21, to Sunday, July 23 and features Kentish real ale, cider, food and family fun. Live music comes in the shape of 1970s disco from Pussyfoot on the Friday, with four live acts on Saturday plus a bouncy castle and hog roast, while on the Sunday, there will be some jazz.

For details visit woolpacksmeeth.co.uk

Beers, barbecue and live music

The biggest event of the year comes to Hollingbourne’s Windmill Pub this weekend.

The pub’s beer and music festival will be held on Saturday, July 22, in conjunction with Linton-based micro brewery the Musket Brewery. There will be a range of beers, a barbecue and children’s play area, plus live music from noon to 8pm.

Entry is £3, with under sevens free.

For details go to thewindmillhollingbourne.co.uk

Just a quid to feed your kid

With the school holidays upon us, Carluccio’s in Kent is helping keep kids – and parents – happy with a Kids Eat for £1 offer from Tuesday, July 25 to Thursday, August 31. Children ages 10 and under can order a main dish, dessert and soft drink, all for £1, between 9am and 5pm at participating Carluccio’s branches. For details and to check which branches are taking part go to carluccios.com

on right track for micropubs

A trail revealing the best of the county’s micropubs that are a stone’s throw from a station has been published.

The Kent Rail Ale Trail features 37 watering holes which are a 10-minute walk from the railway.

It follows the tracks from the high-speed service from St Pancras in London in a circular route that goes around the Thames and the Kent coast.

The county is the birthplace of micropubs, with the Butcher’s Arms starting the trend back in 2005 in Herne.