Long Man Best Bitter

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 Milk House, Sissinghurst, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Wittenden		22 Oct 2026	Well put together Best.
Wittenden	Not Tried	27 Jun 2026

Bake & Alehouse, Westgate-on-Sea, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Hogan Sampling		10 Oct 2026	1st beer of this visit: Came with very good head staying proud as a pearly king and lasting lacing on this amber-hued traditional best bitter. With the brewing operation hatched in 2011, the very first drop splashed out of the coppers in February 2012, having given a renovated 17th-century flint barn a new lease of life at Church Farm in Litlington, East Sussex, in the shadows of the South Downs. A sharp fresh bitterness on the first hit. A hoppiness rapidly winning over from its English whole-leaf green hops immersed straight into the boiling kettle. Its Fuggles imparting a woody earthiness with a herbal bite and the Goldings behind a honeyed floral spice and elegant orchard brightness. Sweet jam, cedar woodland and toffee predominating for me with hints of sharp marmalade and bitter orange punch. Not in the least too malty here but relying on home-raised Church Farm Pale Ale Malt behind its bready and crisp biscuit base alongside a healthy dose of Aromatic Malt lending a touch of caramelised toffee, and its Malted Wheat lending a hint for me of toasted-nuts alongside a biscuity note. An appley fruitiness prevailing before the sailing down my gullet. Served in good condition.

Bell & Crown, Canterbury, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Magnus Greel	Not Tried	03 Oct 2026
Andrew	Not Tried	12 Sep 2026
Andrew	Not Tried	18 Jul 2026
Andrew	Not Tried	11 Jun 2026
Andrew	Not Tried	28 Feb 2026
Andrew	Not Tried	21 Feb 2026
Andrew	Not Tried	12 Feb 2026
Hogan Sampling		26 Jul 2025	Head and lacing, very good, and lasting, good, on this Sussex amber best bitter from Polegate, north-west of Eastbourne. A somewhat caramel-infused first bite to it. A fruity bitter dry hoppiness from its Fuggles and Goldings hops rising up. A bittersweet maltiness lingering.
Jack William	Not Tried	04 Jun 2025
Andrew	Not Tried	02 Dec 2023
Magnus Greel		08 Nov 2023	Not as sulphurous as I remember
Magnus Greel	Not Tried	12 Oct 2023
Andrew	Not Tried	19 Nov 2022
Jack William	Not Tried	29 Oct 2022

Stile Bridge, Marden, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Magnus Greel		20 Aug 2026	Warm, cloying, malty and insipid. A chore to drink...
thebrewingman	Not Tried	09 Nov 2013

Carpenters Arms, Coldred, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William		19 Aug 2026	Rather tired.
Jack William		08 Apr 2026
Jack William		11 Feb 2026
Jack William	Not Tried	12 Mar 2025	Going down well with many of the locals.
Jack William		31 Jul 2024
Jack William		10 Jan 2024
Jack William		25 Jul 2023
Jack William		29 Jun 2023

The Signalman, Brighton, East Sussex

Who	Score	When	Notes
Magnus Greel		12 Aug 2026	Earthy peppery with a hint of yeast and a medium bitterness.

Jenny Lind, Hastings, East Sussex

Who	Score	When	Notes
Hogan Sampling		11 Jul 2026	Very good head and lasting lacing on this Sussex best bitter from Long Man Brewery, set up in 2012 in a converted flint barn at Church Farm in Litlington, East Sussex. A fruitiness rapidly rising with flavours of jam and orange marmalade, and earthy woodland fruits. A malty bitterness shining through with touches of toffee aided by its locally grown Church Farm Pale Ale Malt and Aromatic Malt. A hoppy fruited note winning over from its English Fuggles and Goldings hops, lending its earthiness, spice and bitter notes. A caramelised biscuity maltiness and nuttiness prevailing before the slide down. Served in very fine fettle.
Jack William		22 Jun 2026

Parkerville, Herne Bay, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew	Not Tried	11 Jul 2026
Hogan Sampling	Not Tried	29 Mar 2025	Now the third sighting of this bitter in Herne Bay's five micropubs in the town centre.
Andrew		18 May 2021
Magnus Greel		25 Sep 2020
Andrew		23 Sep 2020	Nice crisp brown bitter
Jack William	Not Tried	30 Mar 2018
Andrew	Not Tried	28 Oct 2017
Andrew	Not Tried	09 Aug 2017
Andrew	Not Tried	27 Jan 2017

The Elephant, Faversham, Kent

The Chequers Inn, Smarden, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Wittenden		13 Mar 2026	Fruity.
Wittenden		13 Feb 2026	Solid best bitter in very good condition.
Wittenden		17 Dec 2025	The only cask beer on, but in good condition.A solid earthy Sussex Best Bitter.

The South Park Tap, Sevenoaks, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Hogan Sampling		10 Jan 2026	3rd beer of this visit: Very good head and lacing presented and lasting on this Sussex amber-coloured bitter brewed at Polegate, north-west of Eastbourne. A hoppy bitter first hit from its Fuggles and Goldings hops. A healthy bitterness emerging with biscuity and caramel notes. A very dry bitter spicy maltiness mixed with, for me, a not too fruited hoppiness lingering on. Very moreish indeed!
Hogan Sampling		13 Dec 2025	2nd beer of this visit: This Sussex bitter brewed by the Long Man Brewery from Polegate, north-west of Eastbourne and set up in 2012, came on just the day before I was told by the barman. It certainly presented a very good head and lacing and lasting throughout. A dry, slightly fruited first bite. A very hoppy dryness rising from its Fuggles and Goldings hops. A malty taste emerging with a caramelised, biscuity hint mixed with some dark fruit flavours on its sleigh positioned on my palate for its downwards slide with a refreshing bitterness lingering.

Bowl Inn, Charing, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William	Not Tried	28 Sep 2025
Jack William		07 May 2023	Something rather ordinary about this. I was disappointed.
Andrew	Not Tried	29 Aug 2022

The New Inn, Canterbury, Kent

Claret & Ale (formerly Claret Free House), Addiscombe, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	20 Sep 2025
Philip Pirrip		16 Apr 2025	Held good head and lacing
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	30 Apr 2024
Philip Pirrip		22 Apr 2024	Good condition although a rather bland offering
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	15 Dec 2023
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	31 Jul 2023
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	12 May 2023
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	29 Apr 2023

The George, Tunbridge Wells, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Hogan Sampling		30 Aug 2025	Very good head and lacing and lasting throughout on this East Sussex Best Bitter, brewed in-land between Seaford and Eastbourne. A dry bitterness on the first bite. A malty bitterness rising and a fruity note or two revealing itself. A dry hoppiness from its Fuggles and Goldings hops playing out.

The Ragged Trousers, Tunbridge Wells, Kent

The Sussex Arms, Tunbridge Wells, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Hogan Sampling		30 Aug 2025	This East Sussex Best Bitter, brewed in-land between Seaford and Eastbourne, came with very good head and lacing and lasting throughout. A dry bitter first bite on this amber ale. A pleasant hoppy bitterness rising ably assisted by its Fuggles and Goldings hops and a malty note or two shining through. A moreish hoppiness winning over and a hoppy dry bitterness sailing off.
Martin the Mildman	Not Tried	31 Jul 2012

The British Queen, Lower Willingdon, East Sussex

Who	Score	When	Notes
Dosser		08 Aug 2025	A nice pint, good head and lacing. £4.80, so reasonable when compared to other local pubs.

Halfway House, Brenchley, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Hogan Sampling		17 May 2025	Very good head and lacing and lasted on this amber bitter from south-west of Polegate, near Eastbourne. A bitter and hop-infused first hit from those Fuggles and Goldings hops. A bitter maltiness then winning through and with nothing sweet about it; just an honest bitter with a malty dry bitterness lingering.
Magnus Greel	Not Tried	24 Sep 2024
Andrew	Not Tried	29 Feb 2024
Jack William	Not Tried	04 Oct 2022

The Prince Albert, Brighton, East Sussex

Who	Score	When	Notes
Magnus Greel		08 Apr 2025	Perfectly balanced with a complex bittersweet, malty taste, fragrant hops and a characteristic long smooth finish.
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	25 Nov 2024
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	04 Nov 2024
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	28 Oct 2024
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	09 Oct 2024
Magnus Greel	Not Tried	29 Sep 2024
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	24 Sep 2024
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	07 Sep 2024
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	27 Jul 2024
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	19 Aug 2019
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	23 Aug 2018
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	19 May 2018
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	19 Mar 2018
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	27 Aug 2017
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	11 Mar 2016
Stephen Harris		26 May 2012	Copper-coloured, warm and a bit sour.
Philip Pirrip		23 May 2012	Asked for a taster which made me splutter so declined a larger measure
Philip Pirrip		17 May 2012	As sour as old Harry. Exchanged for another choice without ado, pump clip turned round, pipes pulled through and a new cask placed.

The Bouncing Barrel, Herne Bay, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Hogan Sampling	Not Tried	29 Mar 2025
Hogan Sampling		29 Mar 2025	Came with very good head and lacing and a very bitter first hit. A dry hoppy mouthfeel and a maltiness coming to the fore on this Polegate, north-west of Eastbourne, best bitter. There was a pleasantly dry hoppy aftertaste.

The Pub Herne Bay, Herne Bay, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Hogan Sampling		29 Mar 2025	Fresh on and so this bitter's head and lacing was at its best. A bitter malty mouthfeel on this Best from north-west of Eastbourne and a moreish dryness lingering from those fragrant hops, Fuggles and local East Kent Goldings.
Andrew	Not Tried	18 Sep 2024

The Haywain, Bramling, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William		19 Dec 2024
Jack William	Not Tried	16 May 2024

The George & Dragon, Fordwich, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisatSturry		19 Oct 2024	Malty, lightly hopped

The Tankerton Arms, Tankerton, Kent

The Greyhound, Charcott, Kent

The Yew Tree Inn, Chalvington, East Sussex

Who	Score	When	Notes
Ian		05 May 2024	Proper brown bitter great condition and temperature.

This Ancient Boro', Tenterden, Kent

Marden Village Club, Marden, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Dosser		29 Feb 2024	Boss gave me this to compare to Harvey's. It was superb.

The Ship Inn, Rye, East Sussex

Who	Score	When	Notes
Magnus Greel	Not Tried	28 Mar 2023
ChrisE	Not Tried	09 Mar 2016
Andrew		15 Aug 2014	Ice cold to start with but after it warmed up the fruit came through and it was nice

The Bell & Jorrocks, Frittenden, Kent

Larkins' Alehouse, Cranbrook, Kent

The Ram Inn, Firle, East Sussex

Who	Score	When	Notes
Wittenden		24 Jun 2021	Still on stalwart form. I stayed with this one.
Wittenden		22 Jun 2021	First pint.
Wittenden		22 Jun 2021	Second pint: an old school malty best bitter.Almonds. Reassuring.

The Sekforde (formerly Sekforde Arms), Clerkenwell, Central London

The London & County, Eastbourne, East Sussex

George Hotel, Lydd, Kent

The Bull, Woolwich, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		28 Dec 2019	Good enough but pretty basic
Philip Pirrip		15 Dec 2017	Perhaps rather fresh, seemed caramel sweet, did not want a second one
Philip Pirrip		22 Apr 2017	Caramel taste, not one I like in a beer. Odd shaped Brains branded glass used

The Black Horse Inn, Thurnham, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William		25 Oct 2019	Traditional bitter in good nick.
Pedro		26 Jan 2013

The Beer Seller, Tonbridge, Kent

Parrot, Canterbury, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Magnus Greel		01 Apr 2019	Earthy traditional English bitter
Jack William		21 Oct 2017	A good best bitter.
ChrisE		01 Jul 2017

The Mucky Duck, Brighton, East Sussex

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew		10 Nov 2018
ChrisE		28 Aug 2018

The Unicorn, Canterbury, Kent

The Bedford, Tunbridge Wells, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Stephen Harris	Not Tried	23 Jun 2018
Judy G Garland	Not Tried	06 Nov 2013
Martin the Mildman		05 Jun 2012	New brewery to me, a typical Sussex style best bitter, quite bitter, aromatic, yeasty with a dryish finish. My score 14/20.

The Lanes, Dover, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		16 Jun 2018

Ladies Mile, Brighton, East Sussex

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew		24 Mar 2018	Sweet with winter fruits taste.

The Eagle, Eastbourne, East Sussex

The Lady Luck, Canterbury, Kent

The New Fox Inn (formerly The Windmill Inn), Willesborough, Kent

The Hopbine Inn, Petteridge, Kent

The Firkin Frog, Herne Bay, Kent

The Geese, Brighton, East Sussex

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew		08 Oct 2016	Marzipan.

The Victory Inn, Brighton, East Sussex

Lord Harrowby, Grantham, Lincolnshire

The Windmill, Sevenoaks Weald, Kent

The Tickled Trout, Wye, Kent

The Wenlock Arms, Hoxton, Central London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Stephen Harris	Not Tried	11 Jun 2013
Philip Pirrip		10 Jun 2013	Initial euphoria lead to disappointment

The Sussex Arms, Twickenham, Greater London

Black Horse, Nuthurst, West Sussex

Who	Score	When	Notes
Alenomore		13 Oct 2012	Another LocAle winner! This one from Litlington, E.Sussex. Top class too.
Pedro		13 Oct 2012

The Humphrey Bean, Tonbridge, Kent