Harvey's Dark Mild (or Sussex XX Mild)

Tasting Summary

These comments are the opinion of the individual reviewer and represent what they thought of the beer on a particular day in a particular pub. If a review is less favourable, it may be because the beer suffered somewhere in the supply chain between them and the brewery.

Royal Oak, Borough, Central London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	13 Apr 2024
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	06 Apr 2024
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	27 Mar 2024
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	20 Feb 2024	Ran out
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	31 Jan 2024
Philip Pirrip		09 Jan 2024	The price differential between this and the other ales has closed considerably here
Magnus Greel		04 Dec 2023	Everything from temperature, condition and bursting with ripe fruit flavours was perfect.
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	29 Nov 2023
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	07 Oct 2023
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	27 Sep 2023
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	02 Sep 2023
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	06 Aug 2023
Philip Pirrip		26 Jul 2023	A really wet and humid night. This went down as a great thirst slaker
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	15 Jul 2023
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	31 May 2023
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	24 May 2023
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	29 Mar 2023
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	21 Mar 2023
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	04 Mar 2023
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	25 Jan 2023
Philip Pirrip		09 Jan 2023	New cask just on, a tad fresh
Magnus Greel		05 Dec 2022
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	30 Nov 2022
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	28 Sep 2022
Philip Pirrip		07 Sep 2022	Good on taste but did lose head quite quickly
Philip Pirrip		27 Jul 2022
Philip Pirrip		06 Jun 2022	Long wait whilst cask changed. Found new one fresh and rather thin
Philip Pirrip		27 May 2022	Very refreshing first pint, did dissipate on condition a tad as the glass emptied
Wittenden		14 May 2022	Delicious on a warm day.
Philip Pirrip		09 Mar 2022	Good starter ale
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	17 Jan 2022	£3 a pint on Mondays apparently, after I had ordered A N Other
Philip Pirrip		24 Nov 2021	A very refreshing low gravity job - just what I needed
Philip Pirrip		29 Jun 2021	In fine form
Philip Pirrip		29 Jan 2020	Most refreshing
Philip Pirrip		20 Jan 2020	Gloriously refreshing in a hot sweaty packed pub
Philip Pirrip		27 Nov 2019	Refreshing indeed in a sweatbox
Philip Pirrip		25 Sep 2019	In lovely cool nick
Philip Pirrip		31 Jul 2019
Philip Pirrip		29 May 2019	Tasty and nutty. getting dear at £3.90pp for such low gravity however
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	27 Mar 2019
Philip Pirrip		30 Jan 2019	Drank without really noticing
Philip Pirrip		26 Sep 2018
Philip Pirrip		04 Sep 2018	Lovely mild, ideally refreshing
Philip Pirrip		21 Jun 2018
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	30 May 2018
Stephen Harris	Not Tried	04 May 2018
Philip Pirrip		12 Apr 2018	Superb nick, an English mild as it should be
Philip Pirrip		29 Mar 2018	Best I've had of this for a very long time
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	31 Jan 2018
ChrisE		09 Dec 2017
Philip Pirrip		29 Nov 2017
ChrisE		16 Nov 2017
Philip Pirrip		31 Oct 2017	Best Harvey's Mild I have had in a long time. Conditioning gave superb mouthfeel
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	27 Sep 2017
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	26 Jul 2017
Philip Pirrip		31 May 2017	Temporarily re-named here as "Archivist Ale" in memory of a recently lost local Stephen Humphrey
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	30 Mar 2017
Stephen Harris	Not Tried	20 Jan 2017
Philip Pirrip		30 Nov 2016
Philip Pirrip		28 Sep 2016
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	10 Aug 2016
Philip Pirrip		27 Jul 2016
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	25 May 2016
Philip Pirrip		30 Mar 2016
ChrisE		30 Jan 2016
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	27 Jan 2016
ChrisE		07 Jan 2016	Very good indeed.
Philip Pirrip		25 Nov 2015
HSB	Not Tried	14 Nov 2015
Philip Pirrip		30 Sep 2015
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	29 Jul 2015
Stephen Harris	Not Tried	15 Jul 2015
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	11 Jun 2015
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	27 May 2015
HSB	Not Tried	21 May 2015
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	25 Mar 2015
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	17 Feb 2015
Philip Pirrip		28 Jan 2015
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	11 Dec 2014
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	26 Nov 2014
HSB	Not Tried	08 Nov 2014
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	03 Nov 2014
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	07 Oct 2014
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	25 Sep 2014	Ran out
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	14 Aug 2014
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	30 Jul 2014
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	28 May 2014
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	12 Apr 2014
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	26 Mar 2014
Philip Pirrip		12 Feb 2014
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	29 Jan 2014
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	11 Dec 2013
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	28 Nov 2013
oz11	Not Tried	09 Nov 2013
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	09 Oct 2013
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	25 Sep 2013
Philip Pirrip		04 Sep 2013
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	14 Aug 2013
Ian	Not Tried	03 Aug 2013
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	31 Jul 2013
Stephen Harris		31 Jul 2013	Dark and scrumptious.
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	15 Jun 2013
Philip Pirrip		30 May 2013	Pretty much the only Mild I enjoy these days
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	11 Apr 2013
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	30 Mar 2013
Philip Pirrip		16 Feb 2013	Earthy and malty
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	30 Jan 2013
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	03 Dec 2012
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	29 Nov 2012
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	27 Sep 2012
Philip Pirrip		26 Jul 2012	No head retention
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	22 Jun 2012
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	01 Jun 2012
Martin the Mildman		31 May 2012	Low hop rate, sweet and malty with some fruit in the finish. My score 16/20.
oz11	Not Tried	19 May 2012
Stephen Harris		08 Mar 2012	Sweet and malty.
oz11	Not Tried	17 Dec 2011
Martin the Mildman		29 Sep 2011	Sweet, fruity and malty with hints of grain and very little hopping. My score 16/20.
oz11	Not Tried	14 Jul 2011
oz11		21 May 2011
Martin the Mildman		12 May 2011	Sweet and malty just as it should be. My score 16/20.
Martin the Mildman		25 Nov 2010	Sweet and malty with grainy malt and some caramel. My score 16/20.
Ian	Not Tried	18 May 2010
Martin the Mildman		13 May 2010	Sweetish and malty dark brown mild with a grainy malt character. My score 16/20.
Martin the Mildman		17 Dec 2009	Sweet and malty with hints of graininess. Long malty finish. My score 16/20.
Blair	Not Tried	14 Mar 2009
Dubbel	Not Tried	05 Dec 2008
Ian	Not Tried	27 Nov 2008
Ian	Not Tried	21 Oct 2008
Ian	Not Tried	20 Jun 2008
Ian	Not Tried	09 Apr 2008
Steve	Not Tried	03 Jul 2007
Ian	Not Tried	26 Jan 2007
Ian	Not Tried	29 Nov 2006
Ian	Not Tried	31 Mar 2006

Two Sawyers, Woolage Green, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William	Not Tried	25 Feb 2024
Andrew		02 Feb 2024	Lovely stuff. I like low ABV beers like this. Dark, hint of roasted malt, watery. Shame we could only stay for one.

Nelson Arms, Tonbridge, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		31 Oct 2023	Tasted rather tinny
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	16 May 2023

Queens Head, Kingsnorth, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Magnus Greel		18 Oct 2023	Rich flavoursome dark fruits for such a low ABV

The New Inn, Canterbury, Kent

Lord Nelson Inn, Brighton, East Sussex

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		06 Feb 2020
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	25 Nov 2019
Andrew	Not Tried	08 Oct 2016
Philip Pirrip		11 Mar 2016
Andrew	Not Tried	14 Nov 2015
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	20 May 2015
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	04 Sep 2014
HSB	Not Tried	17 Jul 2014
Andrew	Not Tried	26 Mar 2014
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	03 Dec 2013
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	30 Oct 2013
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	17 Aug 2013
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	11 Aug 2013
HSB	Not Tried	23 Jul 2013
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	22 May 2013
Andrew	Not Tried	26 Jan 2013
Andrew		06 Oct 2012	Excellent weak mild. Had that distinctive Harvey's yeast flavour on the finish and hints of malt in the body.
ChrisE		01 Apr 2011	Very good, and selling well tonight.
Martin the Mildman		21 Oct 2010	Sweet and malty with a hint of graininess and very low hop presence at it should be. My score 16/20.
Brian	Not Tried	23 Nov 2008
Ian	Not Tried	03 Mar 2007

John Harvey Tavern, Lewes, East Sussex

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	12 Oct 2019
Philip Pirrip		12 Oct 2019
ChrisE		30 Jun 2018
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	31 Oct 2016
Andrew		20 Sep 2014	Very cold but very refreshing.
Eddie		02 Nov 2012	Never my most favourite of milds this, but I always seem to order it and give it another go, not that good really I had a much better example in a Harvey's pup in Maidstone Kent.
Andrew	Not Tried	14 Nov 2008

The Pilot, Maidstone, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE		10 May 2019	Returned and exchanged for Best Bitter, the pump clip was not turned round however.
Tobes	Not Tried	26 Sep 2015
Tobes	Not Tried	11 Jul 2015
ChrisE		28 Jun 2015
Archie14	Not Tried	12 Apr 2014
ChrisE		07 Dec 2013
oz11	Not Tried	25 Oct 2013
Alenomore	Not Tried	22 Sep 2013
Tobes	Not Tried	10 Aug 2013
ChrisE		30 Mar 2013	A most enjoyable beer to start with.
Pedro	Not Tried	31 Jan 2013
Alenomore		31 Dec 2012	Top condition.
Alenomore		28 Dec 2012
Alenomore	Not Tried	26 Dec 2012
Alenomore		15 Dec 2012	As ever, in top condition.
Alenomore		14 Dec 2012	Perfect.
Alenomore		09 Dec 2012	A top Mild.
Pedro	Not Tried	01 Dec 2012
Alenomore		01 Dec 2012	A good down to earth Mild.
Alenomore	Not Tried	03 Nov 2012
Alenomore		28 Oct 2012
Alenomore		20 Oct 2012
Alenomore	Not Tried	14 Oct 2012
Eddie		26 Sep 2012	Not my most favourite of milds but this was a fine example
Pedro	Not Tried	28 Aug 2012
Martin the Mildman		03 Aug 2012	Good as ever, quite fruity but little hop character. My score 16/20.
Pedro		17 Jun 2012
Pedro		24 May 2012
Pedro		07 Apr 2012
Pedro		13 Mar 2012
Pedro		04 Mar 2012
Pedro		19 Feb 2012
Pedro		10 Feb 2012
Alenomore		29 Dec 2011
ChrisE		23 Dec 2011
Alenomore		27 Nov 2011	A top Mild in top condition.
Alenomore	Not Tried	25 Nov 2011
Alenomore	Not Tried	19 Nov 2011
Pedro	Not Tried	26 Oct 2011
Pedro		23 Oct 2011
Alenomore		09 Oct 2011	Excellent. A superb Mild.
Pedro		06 Oct 2011
Pedro		16 Sep 2011
Pedro		16 Jul 2011
ChrisE	Not Tried	03 Jun 2011
Pedro	Not Tried	26 May 2011
Ian	Not Tried	19 May 2011
Pedro		14 Apr 2011
Pedro		25 Feb 2011
Ian	Not Tried	16 Oct 2010
Alenomore		03 Oct 2010	A top mild ale.
Pedro	Not Tried	17 Sep 2010	Ran out
Pedro		27 May 2010
Ian	Not Tried	11 Apr 2010
Ian	Not Tried	13 Feb 2010
ChrisE	Not Tried	13 Feb 2010
Pedro		06 Jan 2010
Ian	Not Tried	16 Sep 2009
Pedro		20 Aug 2009
Martin the Mildman		18 Jun 2009	Drier than it used to be, without that caramelly sweetness it used to have. My score 16/20.
Andrew	Not Tried	17 Apr 2009
Ian	Not Tried	14 Feb 2009
Ian	Not Tried	04 Sep 2008
Ian	Not Tried	09 Dec 2006
Andrew		12 Aug 2005	Black beer that tasted of very little.
Ian	Not Tried	12 Aug 2005
Ian		19 Mar 2005	Dark ruby. Slight Harvey's yeasty nose. Some malt, thin in mouth and yeasty finish. A bit bland for me

Hurst Arms, Eastbourne, East Sussex

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE		20 Apr 2019
Magnus Greel	Not Tried	20 Apr 2019
ChrisE		15 Sep 2010	Served from the cask, a most enjoyable but rather thin mild.

The Alma Arms, Uckfield, East Sussex

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE		22 Mar 2019
ChrisE		03 Mar 2017	First one out of the pump and perfectly O.K.
Stephen Harris	Not Tried	26 Nov 2016
HSB	Not Tried	20 Aug 2015
Philip Pirrip		20 Mar 2014
ChrisE		14 Mar 2014	First on out of the pump for the day, and very good indeed.
ChrisE		08 Mar 2011	Very good indeed.

The Harp, Charing Cross, Central London

Rose & Crown, Burwash, East Sussex

Who	Score	When	Notes
Wittenden		28 Apr 2017	Nearly May,so time for mild.Dark,malty.Not cloying,a perfect session beer.

The Mitre Tavern, Brighton, East Sussex

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE		09 Apr 2017	Good Harvey's Mild.
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	17 Aug 2013
Andrew	Not Tried	26 Jan 2013
Martin the Mildman		17 Nov 2011	On form here, sweet, malty and grainy with a berry fruit finish. My score 16/20.

King George V, Brompton, Kent

The Victoria Hotel, Beeston, Nottinghamshire

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE		11 Jun 2016	A good session beer, and good value at £2.90 per pint.

The Buckingham Arms, Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex

Who	Score	When	Notes
Stephen Harris	Not Tried	14 Feb 2015
ChrisE		03 Jul 2014
Martin the Mildman	Not Tried	05 Nov 2011

3rd Angelfest Music and Beer Festival 2014, Tonbridge, Kent

The Garland, Redhill, Surrey

Who	Score	When	Notes
Stephen Harris	Not Tried	14 Dec 2013
Martin the Mildman		29 Nov 2012	Sweetish and malty with some fruit on the finish. My score 16/20.
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	06 Nov 2012
Martin the Mildman		12 Jul 2012	Sweet and malty with some dried fruit in evidence. A little thinner than usual. My score 16/20.
Martin the Mildman		15 Dec 2011	Top notch as ever. My score 16/20.
Martin the Mildman		09 Jun 2011	Top quality here as ever, with no perceptible change in flavour between cask changes. The usual fruity, grainy, malty mix of flavours. My score 17/20.
Martin the Mildman		23 Dec 2010	Probably the best sample of Mild you'll find in the Harvey's estate. Sweet and grainy malt with low hop rate and the Harveys yeast taste make this a classic. My score 17/20.
Martin the Mildman		10 Jun 2010	In good form here, sweet caramel and grainy malt flavours and the characteristic Harvey's yeasty flavour. My score 16/20.
Martin the Mildman		26 Nov 2009	On top form here, sweet, malty, grainy, fruity just like a good mild should be. My score 17/20.
Martin the Mildman		04 Jun 2009	Now shown as plain "Dark Mild" on the pump clip, this also seems to altered in character since earlier this year, being more dry with less of the usual caramelly malty sweetness and grainy malt taste. My score 16/20, previously 17-18.
Steve	Not Tried	08 Nov 2006

The Two Brewers, Hadlow, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
HSB		16 Oct 2013	Rather thin
oz11	Not Tried	15 Apr 2012
oz11	Not Tried	11 Mar 2012
oz11	Not Tried	29 Jan 2012
oz11	Not Tried	08 Jan 2012
oz11	Not Tried	11 Dec 2011
oz11		27 Nov 2011
oz11		23 Oct 2011	Very nice indeed, so didn't try any other beers.
oz11	Not Tried	09 Oct 2011
oz11	Not Tried	02 Oct 2011
oz11	Not Tried	07 Aug 2011
oz11	Not Tried	31 Jul 2011
oz11	Not Tried	24 Jul 2011
oz11		17 Jul 2011	On top form so stayed on this.
oz11		10 Jul 2011
oz11	Not Tried	03 Jul 2011
oz11		19 Jun 2011
oz11	Not Tried	12 Jun 2011
oz11	Not Tried	05 Jun 2011
oz11	Not Tried	29 May 2011
oz11	Not Tried	22 May 2011
oz11	Not Tried	15 May 2011
oz11	Not Tried	08 May 2011
oz11		01 May 2011
Pedro		26 Feb 2011

The Bouncing Barrel, Herne Bay, Kent

Harvey's Brewery, The Harvey Hoppers Club Annual Meet 2012, Lewes, East Sussex

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		06 Oct 2012

Stile Bridge, Marden, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Pedro		19 Apr 2012
Pedro	Not Tried	18 Apr 2012

Brecknock Arms, Bells Yew Green, East Sussex

Who	Score	When	Notes
Martin the Mildman		28 Jan 2010	Excellent as ever, good amounts of grainy, caramlly toffee malt and low hop rate. My score 16/20.

Elephants Head, Hook Green, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Martin the Mildman		16 Jul 2009	Back on form here with the juicy combination of berry fruits, grainy malt and a hint of toffee to produce a full flavoured mild for its strength. This was ordered specially and is not normally available here. My score 17/20.

The Terminus, Eastbourne, East Sussex

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew		14 Nov 2008	The barman poured off at least 1 and a half pints before serving me mine - so top marks there. The beer was dark chocolate brown with subtle hops and that great Harvey's yeast flavour.

The Wheatsheaf Inn, Marsh Green, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew		10 Feb 2007	It was vinegar. I took it back and they gave me another beer and took the mild off.