Bake and Brew Awards 2026 | 13 Best Coffee & Craft Beer Venue 2026 – Kent If you take one man with two passions, the first for coffee and the second for craft beer, what you get is Craft Brewed. Based in Maidstone, Kent, this independent venue is a specialist destination that offers something a little different from the norm. Throughout the day, it offers breakfast, lunch, mains, and desserts, as well as its famous locally sourced roasted coffee. But alongside all of this, patrons can enjoy its choice selection of draught and canned beers, regardless of if it is 10 am or 10 pm. Ajay Davis, Craft Brewed’s owner, was on hand for more. “Come for the coffee, stay for the beer.” Opening its doors in August 2022, Craft Brewed has carved out a name for itself as one of Maidstone’s best independent venues over the last four years. Blending all of the hallmarks of a local café with a selection of craft beers sourced from across the UK and beyond, two worlds collide here at Craft Brewed, and its customers cannot get enough. Growing up, Ajay had always wanted to own his own bar, and his journey began as soon as he got his licence. By this time, he was drawn more to the idea of a pub than a bar, and so set about gaining as much experience as he could within the multifaceted hospitality industry. Over the years, he has had a number of jobs across the sector, from coffee shops and fastfood restaurants to holiday parks and travel agents. His four years managing a local pub chain in Kent proved especially crucial in his decision to establish Craft Brewed. After a few years at the Esquires Coffee down the road in Maidstone, where he worked as a barista, Ajay recognised the opportunity to combine his experience in the world of coffee with his lifelong passion for owning a bar/pub. Craft Brewed was born shortly after, with Ajay’s leap of faith thankfully paying off. Today, Craft Brewed is a place where community comes first, and where a delightful blend of experiences can be enjoyed by all, at any time of the day. Whether a customer here wants a cosy coffee after a long day of work or a refreshing craft beer with their early lunch, this space welcomes them. Ajay’s mission with Craft Brewed is to provide this unique and enjoyable atmosphere to patrons young and old, affording them a place to gather with their family and friends and make lasting memories. To this end, the venue has hosted a variety of events over the last few years, from beer tastings and board game evenings to poetry nights and live entertainment. The team here are vital in setting the tone of the venue, and their diversity is a reflection of the varied experiences available here at Craft Brewed. As Ajay told us: “Our team come from all walks of life, from a guy who used to teach dance in London and now has been training to run a 100k race in a day, to a lady who got bored in retirement so decided to work for us one day a week. She loves the social aspect and the ability to try new beers every week. We also have students studying a number of different subjects, and they use the space we offer even when they are not working.” The culture this creates is what defines Craft Brewed, which is not interested in being just another café or bar, and instead wants to be known as a place where people feel at home. The more than 180 reviews it has on Google, giving it an overall rating of 4.8/5, suggest that it has achieved this goal with its customers from across Maidstone and beyond, a number of whom come back every week to enjoy the great service and lovely coffee. A review from one customer typifies what Craft Brewed means to people in the community: “Places like this should be a requirement of all town centres. I now genuinely look forward to being dragged around Maidstone, as this place sits like a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, with a beer I’ve never had before…” To see what all the fuss is about, stop by Craft Brewed in the heart of Maidstone for a coffee, a craft beer, or to sample something from its expansive and acclaimed menu. Contact: Ajay Davis Company: Craft Brewed Web Address: https://craftbrewedltd.co.uk/
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