From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Chris Hunter, 7 February 2022.

Dartford's new Growler Stop taphouse will send ale lovers in a spin.

A new Dartford taphouse is aiming to become a destination for beer lovers throughout Kent and beyond, offering brews from around the world.

The Growler Stop at Westgate House in Spital Street is the brainchild of brewer Nick Byram - owner of Caveman Brewery and formerly in charge of the ales at Dartford Working Men's Club.

Left to right: Cllr Richard Welles, Dartford Council leader Jeremy Kite, Growler Stop owner Nick Byram, deputy council leader Chris Shippam, and Cllr Tom Oliver.

Rather than starting a conventional pub, Nick says the taphouse concept puts beer at the centre of the business - and the Growler Stop will offer 30 different taps of beer at any given time. And don't worry if you can't choose, because the bar's 'random spinner' will make the decision for you.

As well as offering a social location, it gives drinkers the option to fill up and take home their favourite beer - the name Growler itself coming from the refillable containers used for take away beers, so named because of the sound of escaping carbon dioxide when you release the air-tight seal.

Nick praised the hard work of his team in getting the venue up and running, and said its reputation was fast growing around Dartford.

"We are really encouraged by the interest that's been shown and by the number of people, both familiar faces and new friends, who have come in to see what it's all about," he said. "Word of mouth is already spreading fast.

"The Growler Stop offers variety and choice that's difficult to find anywhere else in the area. But we don't want people to feel self-conscious about choosing drinks, and about all the styles and varieties. We want people to be interested... curious... but the end goal is that they can find, and relax with, a drink that they really enjoy.

"Our selection approach is all about quality - giving people some slow time, to savour good things. We're aiming for a fun but relaxed atmosphere - and we've already had groups and families in saying, 'This place is great, we want to make it our local'. It's amazing how people strike up conversations, with strangers, about the beer... 'I've just had one of those, you'll love it!', or 'If you like that one, try this one next'. I'm sure some new friendships are being created that way."

With small breweries starting up all over the UK, some of which have been established for several years, Nick says the UK brewing industry is flourishing and believes there has never been a better time to open a bar like his new venture.

Of the international beers, the furthest to travel is Big Wave, from the Kona Brewery in Hawaii, while the nearest is from No Frills Joe Brewery Greenhithe. There are also beers from Norway, Belgium, Germany, Sweden, Estonia, Ireland, as well as all the best breweries the UK has to offer - such as Thornbridge, Deya, Cloudwater, Marble, Tiny Rebel, and Fyne just to mention a few. Ales from Nick's own Caveman Brewery will also soon be making an appearance.

Nick adds: "I don't want to get complicated and 'beer snobby' about all this - but comparing things, and finding out what the drinks you enjoy have in common, is all part of the experience.

"'I'm imagining a future where, over time, when someone comes in that I know, and whose preferences I know, I will be able to introduce them to something newly arrived... that they will love! That's when you feel real satisfaction in this business.

"For the same reason I'm looking to strengthen the connections I already have with a lot of the most successful and innovative brewers.

"That way they can alert me to new products, and even give my customers previews to new lines. Our aim would also be to have 'meet the brewer' sessions where producers can come and present their range, talk about how and why they are made, and take our customers through tastings."

With seasonal releases of beers, the offer at the taphouse will vary to include winter porters, light summer ales, green hop harvest beers and autumnal beers for colder days and darker nights.

And there will even be a "random spinner" on the bar's projection wall, selecting a tap number to help people try something new - a process the Growler Stop calls 'tap dancing'.

Nick's also looking forward to welcoming the best street food vans to take a guest spot outside the bar, and speaking to chefs about their knowledge of food and drink.

Behind the scenes at the Growler Stop taphouse.

"What's the ultimate goal?" he adds. "I opened the Growler Stop because I love brewing and beer, and people and socialising. I think we will need to keep evolving as the product and the market changes. But the main thing is to listen to people - let the customers drive what we do and how we do it.

"I would like to think we can build a community, and also build links with the wider community and local clubs and organisations. A good example is Dartford Arts Network, I've offered to display members' artwork on our screens, but I also want to help support their activities and projects, and connect them with new audiences... because they, in turn, are all about Dartford.

"That said, I think we have a very special offering here and I would like to think that we become known across the wider region as somewhere worth travelling to visit, or somewhere worth dropping in on when people are visiting Dartford."