Shepherd Neame Bishops Finger

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 Peacock, Goudhurst, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew	Not Tried	29 Feb 2024	Ian had this and it was in very good condition - but as Dosser has pointed out, it was £6 a pint!
Dosser		29 Feb 2024	At £6 a pint I'd want amber nectar. Good but not worth it.
Wittenden	Not Tried	04 May 2017
Pedro		25 Jul 2013
Pedro		16 Feb 2013
Pedro		27 Jan 2013
Pedro		19 Jan 2013
Pedro	Not Tried	27 Sep 2012
Wittenden	Not Tried	11 Jun 2012
Pedro		27 Oct 2011
Pedro		21 Oct 2010

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

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	23 Feb 2024	Ran out
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	05 Jan 2024
Philip Pirrip		23 Aug 2023	Bit of a distress purchase when Palmers IPA found to be duff. Not really to my taste but in excellent form
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	24 Aug 2022

The Bear Inn, Faversham, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew	Not Tried	19 Dec 2023
Jack William		22 Jul 2023
Magnus Greel		08 Nov 2022	In superb condition a joy to drink hence three pints went down very well.
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	26 Jan 2019
ChrisE	Not Tried	11 Oct 2018	I was tempted but decided not to start the day on a 5% beer.
Magnus Greel		15 Nov 2017	I've not seen this in a Sheps pub for ages and it didn't disappoint.
ChrisE	Not Tried	02 Feb 2017
Philip Pirrip		08 Jan 2015	Too malty for me but a beer in good nick

The Furze Wren, Bexleyheath, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		17 Nov 2023	Uninspiring condition
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	28 Jun 2023

The Vine Inn, Tenterden, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Magnus Greel		14 Nov 2023
Magnus Greel		24 Aug 2020
ChrisE	Not Tried	05 Feb 2020
ChrisE	Not Tried	23 Oct 2019
Trevor	Not Tried	30 Jan 2010
Andrew	Not Tried	02 Jan 2007

Royal Victoria Pavilion, Ramsgate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Dosser		03 Nov 2023	Nice pint. Not many places you can get this beer for less than £2.49 with a voucher.
Dosser		25 May 2022	Q good but I've had much better but not at this price.
Magnus Greel		17 Aug 2020
ChrisE		17 Aug 2020	A very good start to the day.

The Bishops Finger, Canterbury, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew	Not Tried	09 Sep 2023
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	20 Oct 2014
pavorossi	Not Tried	01 Oct 2010
Blair	Not Tried	27 Mar 2010
Ian	Not Tried	19 Mar 2010
Blair		03 Apr 2009	A lot of people don't like this beer but I actually think it's quite good. Rich, malty and satisfying. A good start to the night.
Brian	Not Tried	27 Feb 2009
Ian	Not Tried	31 Jan 2009
Ian	Not Tried	20 Jan 2009
Ian	Not Tried	17 Dec 2008
Brian	Not Tried	27 Oct 2007
Brian		23 Mar 2007	This was weird, it had a cherry cough mixture, medicinal aroma and taste. It was still nice enough but not like last week's version.
Brian		17 Mar 2007	Copper colour with lasting white head. A standard kind of beer but with smooth maltiness and a full mouth finish. Almost excellent.

The Watch House, Lewisham, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	19 Feb 2023
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	13 Sep 2020
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	03 Mar 2020
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	05 Jan 2020
Philip Pirrip		28 Dec 2019
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	04 Dec 2019
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	03 Dec 2019
Philip Pirrip		01 Dec 2019
Philip Pirrip		30 Nov 2019	Good full bodied strong bitter
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	01 Sep 2019
Philip Pirrip		18 Sep 2018	Just plain rank. Strong metallic smell and battery acid taste. Another customer alleged he had been forced to buy his replacement for one and another was grimacing in the corner and sticking with it. To be fair mine was swapped with good grace.
Philip Pirrip		10 Dec 2017
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	19 Feb 2017
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	19 Jan 2013

The New Cross Turnpike, Welling, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	14 Jan 2023
Philip Pirrip		05 May 2018
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	24 Nov 2016
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	21 Sep 2016	This was displaying a paper pumpclip showing 5.4% which is the bottle not cask version. And I nearly tried it thinking it was a new higher abv version. Most unprofessional
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	06 Mar 2013

The Queens Head, Boughton, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William		07 Sep 2022	I was looking forward to this rarity on hand pump. But the face pulled by the barmaid as she sniffed it and the soupy appearance of the pint led us both to declare it unfit for drinking.
Andrew		08 Jun 2009	I've not had this since I was about 20 (so a while ago) when I wrote it off. However, this was excellent. Bark, raspberry and water melon. Very drinkable.

Horse & Groom, Ramsgate, Kent

The Mackland Arms, Rainham, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Tobes	Not Tried	04 Jul 2021	Just went off.
Tobes		09 Mar 2019

The County Hotel, Ashford, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE		12 Sep 2020	At £1.99 per pint (£1.49 with voucher) Magnus would have loved this.
ChrisE	Not Tried	26 Aug 2010
Ian		26 Aug 2010	It's a decent premium bitter, with decent darkish fruits. It's a very decent beer. Just a bit thin on the finish, could do some more hops, but then I think 90% of UK beers could do with more hops. Some peppery Bramling Cross on the finish here would be perfect.
Ian		16 Mar 2008	Must have been good, I had 2 pints of it. Good condition. As always, all the pump clips turned to face the customer even when some weren't on.
Ian	Not Tried	16 Jan 2008
Ian		12 Jun 2007	I liked this. Good Sheps yeast aroma, full and fruity malt in mouth, smooth, drinkable, no harsh/off flavours. Very good.
Andrew		24 Dec 2006	Dark brown beer. Big burnt sugar taste with a hint of coffee. Base bitter resin bite to finish. Not a great beer.
Ian	Not Tried	17 Dec 2006
Ian	Not Tried	16 Nov 2006
Ian	Not Tried	11 Nov 2006
Ian	Not Tried	12 Mar 2006
Ian		16 Feb 2006	Ruby colour with lasting beige head. Fruity and yeasty aroma. Fine, just a bit odd. I mean nothing wrong with it. Been drinking too much foreign stuff lateley I guess. Bit of gingerish hopo. Smooth and bitter fruit malt is there but not over powering. I had more than 1, so it must have been ok
Ian	Not Tried	06 Sep 2005
Ian	Not Tried	30 Aug 2005
Ian	Not Tried	22 Aug 2005
Ian		31 Jul 2005	Good dark fruit malty nose with Sheps yeast. Good in mouth with more fruity malts, some burntness. Fine, nice enough pint served well.
Ian	Not Tried	28 Feb 2005
Ian	Not Tried	13 Feb 2005

The Old Mill, Ashford, Kent

The Gate Clock, Greenwich, Greater London

Kings Head, Shadoxhurst, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Magnus Greel		29 Feb 2020	Rare as rocking horse manure I wasn't disappointed
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	29 Feb 2020
ChrisE	Not Tried	16 Jan 2020	This ran out.

Bonny Cravat, Woodchurch, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Magnus Greel		30 Jul 2019	Rare as rocking horse manure I savoured every drop of this liquorice and cough candy nectar..
Alenomore	Not Tried	19 May 2013
Pedro		19 May 2012
Pedro		18 Feb 2012
Pedro		04 Jun 2011

The Society Rooms, Maidstone, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE	Not Tried	18 Jun 2019
Tobes	Not Tried	29 Aug 2015
Tobes	Not Tried	19 Jul 2014
Dosser		22 Jun 2013
Pedro		18 Jan 2013
Dosser	Not Tried	29 May 2012
Alenomore	Not Tried	26 Sep 2010
Alenomore	Not Tried	18 Jul 2010
Alenomore		06 Jun 2010	This is going down well in most JD's I note. Shep's top ale i.m.o. Why not make this available all year round!
Alenomore		05 Jun 2010	A top ale.
Pedro	Not Tried	08 May 2010
Alenomore	Not Tried	25 Mar 2010	Disappointed this week to have missed what is a rare beer round these parts!

Spark House (formerly The Drum), Leyton, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE	Not Tried	15 Mar 2019
Magnus Greel		03 Aug 2010	Its not often you get perfection with this under rated superb beer and I didn't get it this time. Disappointed.
ChrisE	Not Tried	03 Aug 2010	Jason Jones purchased a pint of this, and said it was OK but not as good as he used to have at the Bonny Cravat at Woodchurch.

The Capitol, Forest Hill, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		08 Jan 2019	Good English hops nose
Philip Pirrip		24 Oct 2017	Initial pleasures soon ran out of steam

Savoy Tap, Aldwych, Central London

The Globe Inn, Hythe, Kent

The Wilton Arms, Belgravia, Central London

The Eight Bells, Dover, Kent

Duke of Cumberland, Whitstable, Kent

Parrot, Canterbury, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE		23 Nov 2017	Very good Bishops Finger so I had a second one.
Jack William		21 Oct 2017	The expected Sheps flavour with a bit of a bite.
Andrew	Not Tried	20 Apr 2016
ChrisE	Not Tried	10 Nov 2014
Andrew	Not Tried	24 May 2013
Andrew	Not Tried	17 Nov 2012
Brian	Not Tried	10 Nov 2012
Ian	Not Tried	20 Oct 2012
Andrew	Not Tried	29 Nov 2011
Ian	Not Tried	29 Oct 2011
Blair	Not Tried	15 Sep 2011
Martin the Mildman	Not Tried	26 Mar 2011
Brian	Not Tried	15 Mar 2011
Ian	Not Tried	11 Dec 2010
Magnus Greel		27 Sep 2010	My eyes lit up when I saw this on and I wasn't disappointed - strong, fruity beer with a hint of liquorice.
Brian	Not Tried	24 Sep 2010

The Thomas Ingoldsby, Canterbury, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Dosser		24 Jul 2017	A good pint that I wasn't expecting.
Dosser		27 Sep 2015
Andrew	Not Tried	05 Nov 2008
Andrew	Not Tried	04 Nov 2008
Andrew	Not Tried	03 Nov 2008
Andrew	Not Tried	27 Dec 2006
Ian	Not Tried	04 Mar 2006
Ian	Not Tried	01 Sep 2005

Blacksmiths Arms, Willesborough, Kent

The Robert Pocock, Gravesend, Kent

Pig & Whistle, Stockholm, Sweden

Who	Score	When	Notes
Magnus Greel		10 Mar 2017	As I was expecting but too cold and lacking condition.

Tap 12 Blues Bar, Sofia, Bulgaria

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE		21 Feb 2017

The Anchor, Faversham, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE		02 Feb 2017
Andrew	Not Tried	23 Feb 2013
ChrisE	Not Tried	30 Jun 2010
Andrew	Not Tried	02 May 2009
Andrew	Not Tried	18 Sep 2008

White Horse & Bower, Westminster, Central London

The Gate Inn, Marshside, Kent

The Bishops Finger, Smithfield, Central London

Tom Cribb, Leicester Square, Central London

The Mechanical Elephant, Margate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Dosser		13 Sep 2016
Dosser		02 Aug 2015
Dosser		13 May 2015
Pedro		22 Jan 2011

Anchor Inn, Hastings, East Sussex

The Crown Inn, Sarre, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William		08 Jun 2016

Woodrow Wilson, Carlisle, Cumbria

Trafalgar Hotel, Ramsey, Isle of Man

Westminster Arms, Westminster, Central London

The George Staples, Blackfen, Greater London

The Crosse Keys, City, Central London

Origins Bar, Canterbury, Kent

The Acre, Windsor, Berkshire

Who	Score	When	Notes
Magnus Greel		09 Aug 2015	Delicious with a liquorice aftertaste.

The Robert Nairn, Kirkcaldy, Fife

The Golden Hope, Sittingbourne, Kent

The Wagon Works, Eastleigh, Hampshire

The Shakespeare, Canterbury, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William		26 Apr 2015	Thought this was a bit lifeless - pump clip turned as I left.

The Knights Templar, Bristol, Avon

Railway Telegraph, Forest Hill, Greater London

Mabel's Tavern, Euston, Central London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew	Not Tried	17 Mar 2015
Stephen Harris	Not Tried	27 Feb 2012
Ian	Not Tried	28 Dec 2010
Ron D		05 Mar 2010	As usual up to Shepherd Neames high standard
Ian	Not Tried	25 Feb 2010
Ian	Not Tried	30 Dec 2009

Trafford Arms, Norwich, Norfolk

The Lanes, Dover, Kent

New Flying Horse, Wye, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew		27 Dec 2014	Really good condition and lots of powdery coco chocolate

The Leading Light, Faversham, Kent

The Last Plantagenet, Leicester, Leicestershire

Hoop & Grapes, Farringdon, Central London

Piston Broke, Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex

Hastings Arms, Hastings, East Sussex

The Spanish Galleon, Greenwich, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		19 Oct 2013	Needed a fair old top up

East India Arms, City, Central London

The Evenhill, Littlebourne, Kent

The George Inn, Littlehampton, West Sussex

Olde Sun, St Neots, Cambridgeshire

The Salt Cot, Saltcoats, North Ayrshire

The Cock Inn, Boughton Monchelsea, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Alan30	Not Tried	14 Jun 2013
Pedro		05 Jun 2012
Pedro		15 Mar 2012	£3-70 /pint
Pedro		02 Jan 2011	Best I've had in ages !

The King's Head Inn, Salisbury, Wiltshire

Crabble Corn Mill Beer Festival 2013, Dover, Kent

The Dog & Gun, Maidstone, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Pedro		29 Apr 2013
Pedro		07 Mar 2013

The Sovereign of the Seas, Petts Wood, Greater London

The Swan, Maidstone, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Pedro		26 Feb 2013
Pedro		19 Feb 2013
Pedro		03 Apr 2011
Pedro		18 Mar 2011
Pedro		15 Mar 2011

The Crayford Arms, Crayford, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	03 Feb 2013
Pedro		03 Jul 2010

Old Doctor Butler's Head, City, Central London

The Cat & Custard Pot, Paddlesworth, Kent

Catford Bridge Tavern, Catford, Greater London

The John Laird, Birkenhead, Merseyside

The Belle Vue, Ramsgate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Blair		09 Nov 2012	Wonderful condition, you don't see this beer in many of sheps pubs, shame.
Blair	Not Tried	29 May 2011
Blair		18 Jun 2008	A reasonable pint of a reasonably good beer. Quite sweet with caramel and citrus. Alright.

The Two Brewers, Rochester, Kent

The Wheatsheaf, Maidstone, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Pedro		30 Sep 2012

The Bishop Blaize, Stretford, Greater Manchester

Castle in the Air, Manchester, Greater Manchester

Bull Inn, West Malling, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Pedro		13 Aug 2012	Ran out - replaced by Harveys

The Hop Pocket, Bossingham, Kent

The Magnet, Deal, Kent

The Yew Tree, Sandling, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Alenomore	Not Tried	31 Jul 2012	N/A.
Alenomore	Not Tried	24 Jun 2012
Pedro		27 Jul 2011	£3-60/pint

The Muggleton Inn, Maidstone, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Alenomore		18 Jul 2012	Must confess, this was spot on.
Pedro	Not Tried	25 Jan 2012
Pedro		19 Nov 2011
Ian	Not Tried	19 Mar 2005

Aviator (formerly The Hourglass), Sculthorpe, Norfolk

Wetherspoons, Victoria, Central London

The Ship Inn, Itchenor, West Sussex

The Kings Head, Staplehurst, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Pedro		09 Feb 2012

The Swatters Carr, Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire

The Rockingham Arms, Elephant & Castle, Central London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Martin the Mildman		29 Dec 2011	A sort of metallic bitterness to this which wasn't particularly pleasant. Not much else going for it. My score 13/20.

The Flower Pot, Maidstone, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Pedro		26 Oct 2011

Ye Olde Thirsty Pig, Maidstone, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Pedro		23 Sep 2011

The Admiral of the Humber, Kingston upon Hull, East Yorkshire

White Hart, Canterbury, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Blair		25 Apr 2011	A little flat, not in great condition which was a shame. Still perfectly drinkable though.
Andrew		15 Jul 2008	Tasted of vinegar. I returned it and they gave me a different beer instead

White Hart, Cuxton, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Pedro		22 Apr 2011

The Cricketers, Canterbury, Kent

Lenham Working Mens Club, Lenham, Kent

Red Lion, Kegworth, Leicestershire

The Flying Boat, Dartford, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Alenomore		05 Jun 2010	Great to see one of Shep's best ales available in many JD's recently, and this one in top condition. Good range on here too.

The Samuel Peto, Folkestone, Kent

Bramley's, Canterbury, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Ian		20 Mar 2010	Bit flat, some fruit. I enjoyed the Van Halen "Drop Dead Legs" more.
Andrew	Not Tried	15 Jan 2010

The Royal Oak, Mersham, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE		15 Dec 2009	Whilst there was nothing particularly wrong with this beer, it did not leave me wanting another one.

The Who'd Ha' Thought It, Rochester, Kent

The Duck, Pett Bottom, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew		29 Aug 2009	Very good condition to it. Malty, red fruit and low hoping. Very drinkable

The Tudor Rose, Upper Upnor, Kent

Prince of Wales, Herne Bay, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Glyn		09 Mar 2009
Andrew	Not Tried	07 Mar 2009
Glyn		03 Mar 2009
Andrew	Not Tried	28 Feb 2009	Was hoping they'd have on Early Bird by now.
Andrew	Not Tried	14 Feb 2009

The Churchill Tavern, Ramsgate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Trevor		20 Nov 2008	Nice clear drink which seemed to lack the body that I like. Still, a drinkable ale.

Bush, Blackbird & Thrush, East Peckham, Kent

The Humphrey Bean, Tonbridge, Kent

The West Gate Inn, Canterbury, Kent