Kent Session Pale

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.

The River Ale House, East Greenwich, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Hogan Sampling	Not Tried	23 May 2025
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	22 May 2025
Hogan Sampling		22 May 2025	Second night on and full of head and lacing and lasting on this pale from Birling in Kent, north of West Malling. A gentle hoppy and citrusy first hit. The hoppy flavouring then hits the mouthfeel with the odd hint of elderflower pervading. A hoppy fruitiness lasting in the aftertaste.
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	21 May 2025
Hogan Sampling	Not Tried	17 May 2025	Just went off shortly after getting in.
Hogan Sampling		16 May 2025	Second day on but only belatedly the night before was this Kentish pale put on and from Birling, north of West Malling. Presented with very good head and lacing and holding. A dry hoppy first hit. An oily hoppiness coming to the fore with the odd subtle hint of citrus and elderflower and followed by a moreish dryness lingering.
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	15 May 2025	Came on late into the session
Hogan Sampling	Not Tried	15 May 2025	Came on at about 23.30 to replace Time and Tide's Smesh pale which left us at about 23.15.
Hogan Sampling	Not Tried	07 Feb 2025
Philip Pirrip		30 May 2024	Came on towards end of evening
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	10 Mar 2024
Philip Pirrip		17 Aug 2023	Spot on form
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	16 Apr 2023
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	14 Apr 2023
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	26 Jan 2023
Philip Pirrip		25 Jan 2023	Tasty brew - best of evening
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	24 Jan 2023
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	23 Jan 2023
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	22 Jan 2023
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	27 Sep 2022
Philip Pirrip		17 Jun 2022
Philip Pirrip		17 Mar 2022
Philip Pirrip		16 Mar 2022	Quality Kent as always
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	24 Nov 2021
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	23 Nov 2021
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	22 Nov 2021
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	21 Nov 2021
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	16 Sep 2021
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	15 Sep 2021
Philip Pirrip		09 Jul 2021	First rate but I was not in the mood for the flavour
Philip Pirrip		17 Feb 2020	No need to try any other here tonight
Stephen Harris		04 Sep 2019
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	03 Sep 2019
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	21 Aug 2019
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	16 Jan 2019
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	31 Dec 2018
Philip Pirrip		10 Oct 2017

Halfway House, Brenchley, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Hogan Sampling		17 May 2025	Came with good head and lacing to begin with did this pale from Birling, north of West Malling, but not lasting well. A hoppy citrusy first hit. A dry hoppy mouthfeel then presented itself with a hint of spiciness in the elderflower-flavoured aftertaste.
Jack William		06 May 2025
Magnus Greel	Not Tried	24 Sep 2024
Andrew	Not Tried	29 Feb 2024
Jack William		04 Oct 2022
Wittenden		07 Oct 2018	Muted.

The Hovelling Boat Inn, Ramsgate, Kent

The Conqueror Alehouse, Ramsgate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew		18 Apr 2025	Solid Kent Session.

The Haywain, Bramling, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William		27 Mar 2025	Top form.
Jack William	Not Tried	16 May 2024
Jack William	Not Tried	19 May 2023
Jack William		29 May 2022

The Butchers Arms, Herne, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Magnus Greel		16 Jan 2025
Magnus Greel		29 Nov 2024
Philip Pirrip		22 Dec 2014
Philip Pirrip		23 Oct 2014
ChrisE		07 Aug 2014	As its name suggests, a good session ale.
Philip Pirrip		24 Jul 2014	Seemed a bit fresh
Mick		05 Jul 2014	Nice pint of this pale hoppy beer.
Dosser		21 Jun 2014
Mick		21 Jun 2014	Perhaps better than Wednesday, Very good condition.
Mick		19 Jun 2014	A super pint of this pale hoppy beer, super condition.
Jack William		08 Mar 2014	Bright and lively - well named.
Philip Pirrip		26 Feb 2014
Andrew		21 Dec 2013	Rich hoppy session bitter in the Hophead style
Philip Pirrip		16 Jul 2013	Very Hopheadish
ChrisE		16 Jul 2013
Mick		15 Jun 2013	Very nice, very pale with a good hop presence, some citrus notes.

The Three Pillars, Gravesend, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Hogan Sampling		11 Jan 2025	Very good head and lacing on this pale brew from Birling, north of West Malling. A very dry first hit. A pleasantly lightly fruity mouthfeel alongside a lingering dryness which made it very moreish.
Hogan Sampling	Not Tried	02 Nov 2024
Magnus Greel		01 Dec 2018	Superb nick refreshing hints of tropical loveliness.
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	24 Nov 2017

The Hoptimist Taproom & Bar, Dover, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William		12 Dec 2024
Jack William		21 Feb 2024	Fresh on
Jack William		22 Nov 2023

The Penny Farthing, Crayford, Greater London

Larkins' Alehouse, Cranbrook, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Wittenden	Not Tried	30 Nov 2024
Wittenden	Not Tried	24 Aug 2024
Wittenden		09 Mar 2024	Sublime,flinty,floral.
Wittenden	Not Tried	25 Nov 2023
Wittenden	Not Tried	04 Nov 2023
Wittenden	Not Tried	13 May 2023
Wittenden	Not Tried	25 Feb 2023
Wittenden	Not Tried	18 Jun 2022
Wittenden		26 Mar 2022	Lovely zesty pint,punching way above its weight.
Wittenden	Not Tried	20 Nov 2021
Wittenden	Not Tried	15 Feb 2018
Wittenden		23 Dec 2017	Sublime, in tiptop nick.Floral hops. Magic.
Wittenden	Not Tried	02 Dec 2017

Ales & Antiques, Tankerton, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William		12 Oct 2024	Looked bright but was rather tired.
Jack William		06 Sep 2024
Magnus Greel		08 Aug 2024	A light and hoppy session beer with hints of citrus and elderflower.
Magnus Greel	Not Tried	02 Aug 2024
Andrew		03 Feb 2024	Really good condition. Very nice.

The New Inn, Canterbury, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William	Not Tried	14 Sep 2024
Jack William		29 Feb 2024
Jack William		12 Jul 2020	Sparklingly fresh.
Jack William	Not Tried	09 Jul 2019

The Brickfield Micropub, Swalecliffe, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Magnus Greel		02 Aug 2024	A light and hoppy session beer with hints of citrus and elderflower.

The Cellars Alehouse, Maidstone, Kent

Copper Pottle, Beltinge, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William		30 May 2024
Jack William		12 May 2024	Bit disappointed with this, rather tired (the beer that is)
Jack William		02 May 2024
Andrew	Not Tried	05 Apr 2024
Jack William		28 Dec 2023
Jack William		14 Sep 2023
Jack William		16 Jun 2022
Jack William		12 Aug 2021	Must have been good - we finished with a gallon of this.
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	13 Feb 2020
Andrew		21 Aug 2018	Lovely stuff.
Andrew		18 May 2018	Top stuff.
Andrew		20 Apr 2018	Quite smokey on the finish. This ran out soon after we had our pints
Andrew		10 Mar 2018
Andrew		27 Feb 2018	Superb
Andrew		20 Feb 2018	Awesome stuff.
Andrew		10 Nov 2017	Top banana!
Gareth		26 Oct 2017	End of the barrel but still superb!
Andrew		07 Oct 2017	Superb
Magnus Greel		17 Aug 2017	Spot on but thin, watery and bland. My palate had been accustomed to 3 pints of No5!
Andrew		13 May 2017	Yum yum
Andrew		22 Apr 2017	Superb
Andrew		18 Feb 2017
Andrew		16 Nov 2016	Jugs of this stuff were had
Andrew		19 Oct 2016	Really very very good.
Andrew		05 Oct 2016	This stuff's to die for.
Andrew		24 Aug 2016
Andrew		13 Aug 2016
Andrew		08 Jul 2016	Top stuff
Andrew		29 Jun 2016	Absolutely lovely
Baymart	Not Tried	08 Jun 2016
Andrew		18 May 2016	Top stuff
Andrew		05 May 2016	Lovely
Andrew		19 Feb 2016
Andrew		03 Jul 2015	Really good condition and very drinkable.
Philip Pirrip		30 Jun 2015

Furlongs Ale House, Faversham, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Archie14	Not Tried	26 Apr 2024
Jack William	Not Tried	08 Nov 2023
Jack William	Not Tried	04 Oct 2023
ChrisE	Not Tried	18 May 2019
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	06 Sep 2018
Philip Pirrip		06 Aug 2016
Philip Pirrip		05 Apr 2016

The Broken Drum, Blackfen, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		29 Mar 2024	Session Pale as it should be
Philip Pirrip		03 Nov 2015

The Bat & Ball, Mottingham, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		02 Dec 2023	Clean and bitter

Carpenters Arms, Coldred, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William		27 Oct 2023

The Cockpit, Chislehurst, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Magnus Greel	Not Tried	01 May 2023
Philip Pirrip		27 Apr 2023	In top form in all ways

The Just Reproach, Deal, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William	Not Tried	25 Mar 2023
Magnus Greel		22 Aug 2018	Ticked all my boxes for a perfect pint..
ChrisE		01 Jul 2014

The Unicorn, Canterbury, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William		23 Feb 2022	I do like Kent ales. This in superb condition.
ChrisE		10 Dec 2021
Jack William	Not Tried	26 Dec 2019

The Long Haul, Bexleyheath, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		29 Dec 2021	1st out of new cask. Very creamy, condition good but rather chilled

The Firkin Alehouse, Folkestone, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William		07 Dec 2021	Three perfect pints for us.
Jack William		13 Feb 2020	Consistent high quality.
Ian		18 Mar 2014	Best I have had it for some time.
Ian		31 Dec 2013	Best I have had this in a long time. Highly drinkable with a good bitter finish
Ian	Not Tried	13 Jun 2013

Harbour Arms, Margate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE	Not Tried	19 Nov 2021
Jack William	Not Tried	31 Aug 2021
Jack William		01 Aug 2015	fitted the ambience perfectly - cool and tasty.
ChrisE		01 Mar 2015

East Cliff Tavern, Folkestone, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE		05 Sep 2021
ChrisE		03 Feb 2018	In top condition here tonight.

Parkerville, Herne Bay, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew		03 Sep 2020	Superb stuff
Andrew	Not Tried	23 Nov 2018

The Admiral's Arm, Queenborough, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Archie14		13 Aug 2020	Near end of cask but still very good
Archie14		09 Aug 2020	Lovely light hoppy pint

The Stag (formerly The Sun), Maidstone, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE		17 Feb 2020

The Good Intent, Rochester, Kent

The Lanes, Dover, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William		23 Jan 2020
Stephen Harris	Not Tried	03 Feb 2018
Jack William		14 Dec 2017	Rather flowery and oversweet.
Jack William		07 Apr 2017

The Black Dog, Whitstable, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Wittenden		21 Dec 2019	Full of herbal flavours-a classic.
Wittenden	Not Tried	28 Sep 2019
Wittenden	Not Tried	14 Sep 2019
Wittenden	Not Tried	24 Aug 2019
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	22 Aug 2019
Wittenden	Not Tried	10 Aug 2019
Wittenden	Not Tried	27 Jul 2019
Jack William	Not Tried	16 Jul 2019
Wittenden		13 Jul 2019	Ever reliable.
Wittenden		22 Jun 2019	What could be better on a Summer's day?
Wittenden	Not Tried	08 Jun 2019
Wittenden	Not Tried	25 May 2019
Wittenden	Not Tried	11 May 2019
Wittenden	Not Tried	27 Apr 2019
Magnus Greel	Not Tried	05 Apr 2019
Wittenden	Not Tried	13 Oct 2018
Jack William		10 Oct 2018
Wittenden	Not Tried	22 Sep 2018
Wittenden	Not Tried	08 Sep 2018
Archie14		02 Sep 2018
Wittenden		25 Aug 2018	Top notch today Excellent floral,herbal beer.
Wittenden	Not Tried	11 Aug 2018
Wittenden	Not Tried	28 Jul 2018
Wittenden	Not Tried	14 Jul 2018
Wittenden	Not Tried	23 Jun 2018
Wittenden	Not Tried	09 Jun 2018
Wittenden	Not Tried	26 May 2018
Wittenden	Not Tried	12 May 2018
Wittenden		28 Apr 2018	Pretty near perfect:so complex for its strength.
ChrisE	Not Tried	23 Apr 2018
Wittenden	Not Tried	14 Apr 2018
Andrew		10 Mar 2018	Nothing wrong with it but once you've had it at the Pottle it's never going to be as good.
Jack William		09 Nov 2017	A very nice brew in tip top condition.
Wittenden	Not Tried	23 Sep 2017
Wittenden	Not Tried	26 Aug 2017
Wittenden	Not Tried	12 Aug 2017
Wittenden		22 Jul 2017	Always top notch here.Delicious, minty hops.
Joe Gargery		15 Jul 2017
Wittenden	Not Tried	08 Jul 2017
Wittenden	Not Tried	24 Jun 2017
Wittenden	Not Tried	10 Jun 2017
Wittenden	Not Tried	27 May 2017
Wittenden		13 May 2017	Thunderingly good.
Wittenden	Not Tried	22 Apr 2017
Wittenden	Not Tried	08 Apr 2017
Wittenden	Not Tried	25 Mar 2017
Wittenden		26 Nov 2016	Delicious. Marmalade. A modern Kentish classic.
Wittenden	Not Tried	24 Sep 2016
Wittenden	Not Tried	13 Aug 2016
Wittenden	Not Tried	23 Jul 2016
Wittenden	Not Tried	09 Jul 2016
Wittenden	Not Tried	25 Jun 2016
Wittenden	Not Tried	11 Jun 2016
Wittenden	Not Tried	14 May 2016
Wittenden		09 Apr 2016	A delicious, zesty pale ale.

The Long Pond, Eltham, Greater London

The Barrel Vault, King's Cross / St Pancras, Central London

The Surrey Oaks, Newdigate, Surrey

One Inn The Wood, Petts Wood, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE	Not Tried	27 Jul 2019
oz11		20 Jan 2015
oz11		17 Dec 2014
oz11		24 Jun 2014

The Long Dog (formerly The Dartford Jug), Dartford, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Stephen Harris	Not Tried	20 Jul 2019
Stephen Harris	Not Tried	15 Feb 2019
Philip Pirrip		20 Jul 2018

The Golden Lion Hotel, Rochester, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		14 Jun 2019	Flat scummy head so suspect was far too fresh

The Handsome Sam, Whitstable, Kent

The Rusty Bucket, Eltham, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		08 Mar 2019	First rate
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	21 Sep 2018

The Pilots' Rest (formerly The Flying Sheep Micropub), Sheerness, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Archie14		28 Aug 2018	Near end of cask so lacking condition but still a well flavoured pint

The Compass Alehouse, Gravesend, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	09 Jun 2018
Philip Pirrip		31 Dec 2016

Fez, Margate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Dosser		28 Feb 2018	Unbelievable for a low strength beer
beery steve	Not Tried	02 Feb 2018

The Malling Jug, West Malling, Kent

Pelt Trader, City, Central London

The Dodo Micropub, Hanwell, Greater London

Cranbrook Goes Nuts in May, Cranbrook, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Wittenden		29 May 2017	Selling well in the heat. Not in bad nick.On gravity dispense.

Kent County Cricket Tunbridge Wells - CAMRA Beer Tent, Tunbridge Wells, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Stephen Harris		26 May 2017
oz11		25 May 2014

Home Taproom (formerly The Tontine Tavern; The Troubadour of Kent), Folkestone, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	29 Apr 2017
ChrisE		29 Apr 2017

The Lady Luck, Canterbury, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE		21 Jan 2017	A good quaffable pint in excellent condition.

The Tankerton Arms, Tankerton, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William		27 Aug 2016	Superb condition and flavour.
Jack William		16 Aug 2014	Zesty - went down very easily.
Archie14		13 Apr 2014	Delicious session blonde ale, served here today in great condition with a nice head. A very polished pint and great lacing.
ChrisE		01 May 2013

The Robert Pocock, Gravesend, Kent

Smugglers' Alehouse, New Romney, Kent

The Flower Pot, Maidstone, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE	Not Tried	23 Jan 2016
Tobes	Not Tried	23 May 2015
Tobes	Not Tried	06 Mar 2015
Dosser		15 Feb 2015
Dosser	Not Tried	14 Feb 2015
Tobes	Not Tried	13 Dec 2014
Tobes	Not Tried	29 Aug 2014	Ran Out.
Dosser	Not Tried	23 Jun 2013	Ran out

Euston Tap, Euston, Central London

The Firkin Frog, Herne Bay, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William		15 Aug 2015	Delicious.

Ravensbourne Arms, Lewisham, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		19 Jul 2015

The Paper Mill, Sittingbourne, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Archie14		13 Jan 2015
Archie14		25 Apr 2014	Delicious :)
Archie14		22 Apr 2014	Stunning pint served in top condition
Archie14		09 Mar 2014	Wonderful stuff :)
Archie14		23 Nov 2013	So quaffable!

The Door Hinge, Welling, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		30 Sep 2014
Philip Pirrip		02 Aug 2014
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	28 Dec 2013
Philip Pirrip		09 Nov 2013

The Windmill, Sevenoaks Weald, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
thebrewingman		16 Aug 2014

The Wrong 'Un, Bexleyheath, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		20 Jun 2014	Beautiful clarity and condition but could not be bothered to try to fight the queues for another

The Sovereign of the Seas, Petts Wood, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
oz11		27 Mar 2014

The Vigo Inn, Fairseat, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
HSB		08 Sep 2013

Old Fountain, Old Street, Central London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Stephen Harris		26 Jun 2013	Lovely, light and hoppy.
Martin the Mildman		04 Oct 2012	A fruity pale bitter with the flavour of New Zealand hops. Good fuity hop finish. My score 15/20.
Philip Pirrip		11 Jun 2012	A great contrast to the Sun Top I had first

5th K&ES Railway Beer Festival 2013, Tenterden, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
oz11		15 Jun 2013	A new beer to me. Good stuff from a great brewery.

Egham United Services Club, Egham, Surrey

Who	Score	When	Notes
thebrewingman		28 Mar 2013	A double hopped version. Superb.

Five Bells Inn, Brabourne, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Wittenden		17 Feb 2013	Pale 'n' hoppy, fruity,fairly aggressively citric.

The Kings Arms, Offham, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Pedro		18 Nov 2012
Pedro		17 Nov 2012

The Lifeboat Ale & Cider House, Margate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Blair		03 May 2012	Really good session pale ale, not quite a hophead but it's not far off.