Tonbridge Traditional

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 George, Bethersden, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Magnus Greel		03 Nov 2026	Traditional no frills cooking bitter.
Jack William		06 May 2025	Couldn’t fault it.

The New Inn, Canterbury, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew		30 Oct 2026	Stuck on this the whole session until it ran out. A good session beer.
Magnus Greel	Not Tried	18 Jul 2023
Jack William	Not Tried	16 Jul 2023

The River Ale House, East Greenwich, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Hogan Sampling		09 Oct 2026	Fresh on and exhibiting an excellent head and lasting lacing on this Kentish session bitter from brewing set up in 2010 in Capel, just on the outskirts of Tonbridge, before in April 2013 moving to Branbridges Industrial Estate in East Peckham, Kent, and roughly 7 miles north-east of Tonbridge. A lightly fruited hoppy first hit on this light brown hued brew. A very gentle bitterness rising from its Kent-grown leaf hops. First Gold behind its zesty tang, Goldings behind its floral notes and Challenger behind its crisp bitterness. Married together in the boil, releasing for me a fruity and floral aroma and taste to delight my old sniffer and palate. Its floral hoppiness prevailing. The odd malty note joining in with a blend of classic malted barley lending an earthy foundation alongside roasted grains giving off a mild toffee flavouring. A hoppy fruitiness lingering on its outflow. A tad fresh perhaps as slightly tingly on the tongue and caused me a good few belches along the way unlike the average drop in this micropub.
Philip Pirrip		21 Nov 2025	Good value basic bitter
Hogan Sampling		20 Nov 2025	Fresh on and a head foaming like you cannot believe! Head and lacing, superb, and lasting to the very end on this East Peckham session bitter, brewed north-east of Tonbridge itself. An old-fashioned very bitter first bite. A slightly fruited hoppy bitterness scurrying up for a gentle pat care of its Kentish hops: First Gold, Golding and Challenger. A hint of malt but only the merest with a toffee note! A dry moreish hoppiness bounding downwards.
Hogan Sampling		10 Jun 2025	Third night on and still holding its head and lacing well on this East Peckham Kentish bitter, north-east of Tonbridge. A dry bitter first hit. A touch of toffee-infused maltiness in the mouthfeel and a bitterness winning over and lingering.
Philip Pirrip		09 Jun 2025	Good basic bittering
Philip Pirrip		08 Jun 2025	A good basic bitter
Hogan Sampling		08 Jun 2025	Fresh on and very good head and lacing and lasting on this East Peckham Kentish bitter, north-east of Tonbridge. A superbly hoppy bitter first hit. A moreish bitterness gracing the taste buds, mixed with the odd toffee note rising up. A pleasant hoppy aftertaste aided by its Kentish Golding and Challenger hops. Would have easily stuck to it but for another recommendation freshly on today.
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	16 Jan 2025
Hogan Sampling		16 Jan 2025	Very good head and lacing on this East Peckham, northeast of Tonbridge, bitter. A very malty first hit with a sweetish mouthfeel from the odd toffee added to the flavouring. A slightly fruity and dry aftertaste.
Philip Pirrip		19 Sep 2024	Bitterer than expected. A lively pint
Hogan Sampling		19 Sep 2024	Fresh on and in very good form with frothy head and lacing. Great old-fashioned bitter taste and lingering hoppiness. All that I want was there and so almost top marks for this!
Hogan Sampling	Not Tried	02 Aug 2024
Philip Pirrip		01 Aug 2024	Refreshing lower ABV job. No great USP?
Hogan Sampling		01 Aug 2024	In fine form this bitter and thirst-quenching on such a warm evening. Nice citrus and toffee-malt flavours.
Philip Pirrip		18 Apr 2024	Tonbridge beers seem to have improved significantly of late
Philip Pirrip		29 Feb 2024	Basic English bitter, perhaps slightly fresh
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	22 Jan 2023
Philip Pirrip		25 Sep 2022	More sour than good clean bitterness
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	20 Apr 2022
Philip Pirrip		19 Apr 2022	Basic staple of a low ABV bitter
Philip Pirrip		16 Jan 2022	Staple basic bitter
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	14 Dec 2021
Philip Pirrip		13 Dec 2021	Clean on palate
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	04 Aug 2019
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	05 May 2019
Philip Pirrip		01 Apr 2018

Halfway House, Brenchley, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Magnus Greel		20 Aug 2026	No excuses needed here for quality, temperature and condition!
oz11	Not Tried	25 May 2013

The Real Ale Way, Hayes (SE London), Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Hogan Sampling	Not Tried	15 Aug 2026
Hogan Sampling		23 Nov 2024	Good head and lacing. A bitter mouthfeel.
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	11 Feb 2023	Badged here as a house ale
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	12 Dec 2019
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	12 Dec 2019	Badged here as the house beer

The Kings Head, Wye, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Ian		29 Jul 2026	Malty
Trevor	Not Tried	24 Jul 2026

Larkins' Alehouse, Cranbrook, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Wittenden		25 Jul 2026	Reliable farmyard bitter.
Wittenden		06 Jun 2026	Earthy farmyard goodness in grand condition.
Wittenden	Not Tried	25 Oct 2025
Wittenden	Not Tried	09 Nov 2024
Wittenden	Not Tried	31 Aug 2024
Wittenden	Not Tried	20 Jul 2024
Wittenden	Not Tried	29 Jun 2024
Wittenden	Not Tried	26 May 2024
Wittenden	Not Tried	06 Apr 2024
Wittenden	Not Tried	24 Jun 2023
Wittenden	Not Tried	01 Apr 2023
Wittenden	Not Tried	11 Feb 2023
Wittenden	Not Tried	30 Apr 2022
Wittenden	Not Tried	17 Dec 2021
Wittenden	Not Tried	13 Nov 2021
Wittenden	Not Tried	05 Jun 2021
Wittenden	Not Tried	17 Apr 2021
Wittenden	Not Tried	12 Sep 2020

Parkerville, Herne Bay, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew		18 Jul 2026
Magnus Greel		10 Jan 2023	Found this rather cloying and acetic despite its clarity.

The Waterworks, Rye, East Sussex

The Haywain, Bramling, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William	Not Tried	19 Mar 2026
Jack William		29 Nov 2025	Superb old school bitter. Punching above its weight.
Jack William	Not Tried	15 May 2025
Jack William		31 May 2023	Superb session ale in top condition.

The Woodcock, Iden Green, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Wittenden		22 Feb 2026	In fine earthy condition.

The Rose & Crown, Mundy Bois, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew	Not Tried	10 Jan 2026
Wittenden		25 Aug 2022	Pleasantly earthy,but seems to have been "cleaned-up".
Wittenden		03 Feb 2022	Reliable farmyard bitter.

George & Dragon, Tonbridge, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Hogan Sampling		03 Jan 2026	Good head and lacing and sticking most of the way to the bottom of the glass of this light brown session bitter from north-east of Tonbridge at East Peckham. A hoppy, fruited first hit. A dry bitterness rising. A hoppy note winning over aided by its Kentish hops: First Gold, Golding and Challenger. Hints of mild toffee from its maltiness paddling out.

The Broken Drum, Blackfen, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		20 May 2025	Good basic sharp bitter
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	27 Dec 2023
Philip Pirrip		09 May 2022	Tired and flat, bar Guv agreed with me
Philip Pirrip		21 Nov 2017	First rate for condition, nor overly bitter just old fashioned in taste

Hoptics (formerly The Real Ale Way), West Wickham, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Hogan Sampling	Not Tried	23 Nov 2024
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	14 Jul 2023
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	23 Jun 2023	Misleadingly branded here with no provenance
Philip Pirrip		04 Feb 2023	Given a house beer name with no true brewing provenance shown anywhere. Rather creamy head on this one
Philip Pirrip		16 Jul 2022	Sold here as The Real Ale Way Tradition Ale with no clearly stated provenance

The Door Hinge, Welling, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		22 Nov 2024	Rather sour hopped I thought

Rose & Crown, Halstead, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Hogan Sampling	Not Tried	24 Oct 2024
Hogan Sampling		01 Aug 2024	Good head and thirst-quenching bitter and accompanied a delicious home-made beef and ale pie with mash and veg.
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	07 Dec 2022

Weald of Kent Ploughing Match 2024, Pluckley, Kent

The Thomas Tallis Alehouse, Canterbury, Kent

The Society Rooms, Maidstone, Kent

Nelson Arms, Tonbridge, Kent

Fez, Margate, Kent

Bowl Inn, Charing, Kent

Kipps' Alehouse, Folkestone, Kent

The Beer Seller, Tonbridge, Kent

The Real Ale Way, Westerham, Kent

The Lanes, Dover, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William	Not Tried	21 Nov 2019
Jack William	Not Tried	23 Aug 2019
ChrisE		02 Nov 2018
Jack William	Not Tried	27 Jul 2017

The Man of Kent Ale House, Rochester, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	14 Sep 2019
Stephen Harris	Not Tried	15 Nov 2014
Philip Pirrip		16 Jul 2013	Just right for a sweltering night

The Hidden Treasure, Dymchurch, Kent

Lighthouse, Walmer, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew		24 Aug 2019

The Gate House, Tonbridge, Kent

Harbour Arms, Margate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Dosser		13 Jun 2019	Even less interesting but drinkable.

The George & Dragon, Fordwich, Kent

Copper Pottle, Beltinge, Kent

The Milk House, Sissinghurst, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Wittenden		19 May 2018	Tincture of Sarsons.Exchanged and taken off with good grace.

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

The Lifeboat Ale & Cider House, Margate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Magnus Greel		17 Oct 2017
Andrew		20 Feb 2016
Ian	Not Tried	20 Feb 2016

The Hopbine Inn, Petteridge, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Wittenden		05 Aug 2017	Earthy,farm yard hops.Spicy finish.What I look for in a Tonbridge beer.

The Dog House Pub (formerly The Dog House & Vinyl Micropub), Smeeth, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		29 Feb 2016	More cloying than previous examples
HSB		29 Feb 2016

Ye Olde Thirsty Pig, Maidstone, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Tobes	Not Tried	11 Jul 2015
Alenomore		22 Sep 2013	My guest's final selection tonight and went down well.

The Potting Shed, Hythe, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William		29 May 2015	A bit more life than the Alsace.

The Duck, Pett Bottom, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William		28 Apr 2015	Gravity fed - Good malt/hop balance - session ale.

The Chequers, Sevenoaks, Kent

One Inn The Wood, Petts Wood, Greater London

The Firkin Alehouse, Folkestone, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE		20 Nov 2014

The Distillers, Hammersmith, Greater London

Bake & Alehouse, Westgate-on-Sea, Kent

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

Two Sawyers, Canterbury, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew		17 May 2014	Bit too cold. Sweet malt with reedy body. Condition was ok.

The Flower Pot, Maidstone, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Dosser	Not Tried	29 Mar 2014
Tobes	Not Tried	28 Mar 2014
Dosser	Not Tried	10 Nov 2013
Toby		01 Jun 2013
Dosser	Not Tried	07 May 2013
Dosser	Not Tried	07 May 2013
Dosser	Not Tried	28 Apr 2013	Ran out

The Paper Mill, Sittingbourne, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Archie14		24 Jan 2014	Great tasting standard bitter, what a change to have a pint of bitter that is exactly that, no quirky flavours just a good honest pint served here in tip top condition :)

King's Head, Canterbury, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William		18 Jan 2014	Pleasant enough, very drinkable.

Bell & Crown, Canterbury, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew		21 Dec 2013	Light brown bitter. Tangy.

The Padwell Arms, Seal, Kent

St Mary's Chapel Bar (formerly The Chapel), Broadstairs, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		08 Aug 2013

The Poet at Matfield, Matfield, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
oz11		02 Jul 2013	Very drinkable.