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2nd Spa Valley Railway Beer Festival (Beer Festival)

Beer (sort)Average Score (sort)No. Samples (sort)
Dark Star - Green Hop IPAExceptional2
Hepworth - Pullman First Class AleExcellent1
Kent - Black GoldExcellent1
Kissingate - Black Cherry MildExcellent1
Caveman (latterly a cuckoo at Leatherbritches) - Citra (brewed at Kent Brewery)Excellent1
Black Cat - OriginalExcellent1
Dark Star - OriginalExcellent1
Tonbridge - RusticExcellent1
Dark Star - American Pale Ale (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)Excellent1
Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Fresh HopExcellent1
First In Last Out (FILO) - Crofters Best BitterGood2
Westerham - Spirit of Kent XXX Pale AleGood1
Colchester - DieselGood1
Tonbridge - Capel Pale AleGood1
Long Man - Old ManGood1
Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Silver TopGood1
King Beer (formerly W.J. King) - Old SmokeyAcceptable1
Kent - KGBNot Tried0
Cronx - StandardNot Tried0

Visits Details

20 Oct 2012 (Martin the Mildman)
Somewhat milder than last year, so beer temperatures were much better. Seemed to be busier this year too.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Dark Star - Original5.00ExcellentClassic strong fruity mild style ale with toffee malt and a fruity hop character. My score 15/20.
Dark Star - Green Hop IPA6.50ExcellentSuperbly hoppy and citrussy strong pale ale. Good malt balance too giving a full bodied smooth mouthfeel. Long, hoppy finish. My score 16/20.
Kissingate - Black Cherry Mild4.20ExcellentFull bodied cherry fruitness in this black mild. Some malt for balance, the finish is big cherry fruit flavours. My score 16/20.
Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Silver Top4.50GoodNot the best sample I've had of this. Colour was dark brown, not black and there was a lack of strong roast malt flavours. Dry finish. My score 15/20.
Colchester - Diesel3.80GoodA red/brown bitter with a bittersweet combination of hop and malt. My score 15/20.
Tonbridge - Capel Pale Ale4.50GoodAmber coloured with crisp citrus hop character and some malt balance. Finish is hoppy and bitter. My score 15/20.
Long Man - Old Man4.30GoodA typical Sussex old style ale, like a strong mild, this one with fruity and coffee notes. Some bitterness in the finish. My score 15/20.
First In Last Out (FILO) - Crofters Best Bitter3.80AcceptableTraditional amber bitter with hop bitterness and slight maltiness. Fairly dry finish. My score 14/20.
King Beer (formerly W.J. King) - Old Smokey5.10AcceptableReddish strong smoked ale with a rather cloying smoked malt taste. Dry finish. My score 14/20.
20 Oct 2012 (oz11)
BeerABVScoreNotes
Dark Star - Green Hop IPA6.50ExceptionalAvailable at Groombridge
Dark Star - American Pale Ale (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)4.70ExcellentBack to Tunbridge Wells for this.
Hepworth - Pullman First Class Ale4.20ExcellentAt Groombridge
Black Cat - Original4.20ExcellentAt Eridge.
Tonbridge - Rustic4.00ExcellentTunbridge Wells
Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Fresh Hop4.00ExcellentTunbridge Wells
Kent - Black Gold4.00ExcellentAvailable from the small bar on the train.
Caveman (latterly a cuckoo at Leatherbritches) - Citra (brewed at Kent Brewery)4.10ExcellentStill being brewed at Kent brewery according to those behind the bar. Found at Tunbridge Wells.
First In Last Out (FILO) - Crofters Best Bitter3.80GoodTunbridge Wells
Westerham - Spirit of Kent XXX Pale Ale4.00GoodGroombridge
Dark Star - Original5.00Not Tried
Kent - KGB4.10Not TriedAt Tunbridge Wells
Cronx - Standard3.80Not Tried

About the 2nd Spa Valley Railway Beer Festival

Summary of Beer Scores

 Total
Exceptional1
Excellent10
Good6
Acceptable2
Poor-

Website.

The Beer Festival is found in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN2 5QY.

Second year of this event. Main event is held at Tunbridge Wells West station with smaller bars at each station on the route and on the train.

We have visited this Beer Festival twice, seen 18 different beers and tried 16 of them.

Map location

Postcode: TN2 5QY