Hopdaemon Golden Braid

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 Man of Kent Ale House, Rochester, Kent

Sawyers (formerly Barbers Arms), Wye, Kent

The Bowl Inn, Hastingleigh, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Magnus Greel	Not Tried	20 Jul 2019
Wittenden		16 Jan 2016	Great condition.Pale.Nettles and bitter herbs.
Mick	Not Tried	13 Jan 2013
Mick		06 May 2012	Very nice, crisp and hoppy, lovely condition.
Mick		01 Apr 2012	Super pint, fresh on and delicious.

The Timber Batts, Bodsham, Kent

The Black Dog, Whitstable, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Wittenden	Not Tried	22 Jun 2019
Archie14		13 Apr 2014

Carpenters Arms, Coldred, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William		30 May 2019	Fresh on and very pleasing.

Kipps' Alehouse, Folkestone, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		11 Apr 2019

The County Hotel, Ashford, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE		05 Feb 2019

The Broken Drum, Blackfen, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		04 Feb 2019	Not what it was, thin gruel with little distinctive taste

The Eight Bells, Dover, Kent

Kings Arms, Elham, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William		19 Apr 2018
Jack William		09 Feb 2018	Nice fresh example of this.
Magnus Greel		11 Jan 2017
Mick	Not Tried	22 Oct 2012
Mick		14 Aug 2012	A bit tired and past it's best. Confirmed when a new barrel had to be put on for the next pint.
Mick		27 Feb 2011	A nice pint but a close second to the skrimshander in my opinion.
Wittenden		06 Feb 2011	A revelation-I hadn't tried this before,an epitome of East Kent .Great hops, followed by a floral , aromatic taste very reminiscent of Fremlins back in the 70's. In my personal rating scheme, I gave it 4.5 stars.
Mick	Not Tried	11 Sep 2010
ChrisE	Not Tried	28 Jul 2010
Mick		21 May 2010	Pale and mellow, OK
ChrisE		25 Nov 2009

The Kentish Belle, Bexleyheath, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		09 Apr 2018	Had been alternating sips with the Whitstable Mosaic. This was poured with no head and had lost its bitterness with a caramel smell and taste. Left a third
Magnus Greel	Not Tried	08 Apr 2018

The Elephant, Faversham, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William	Not Tried	28 Nov 2017
Philip Pirrip		21 Aug 2014
Philip Pirrip		23 Jul 2013	Felt this was a little bland but in good enough condition
Ian	Not Tried	26 Aug 2006

The Leading Light, Faversham, Kent

The Robert Pocock, Gravesend, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		30 Sep 2017

The Paper Mill, Sittingbourne, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		24 Aug 2017	Bittersweet balance
Dosser		11 Jan 2014	Ok ish
Archie14		11 Jan 2014	Lovely session ale
ChrisE	Not Tried	18 Nov 2013
Archie14	Not Tried	16 Nov 2013
Archie14		15 Nov 2013	Great flavour but lacking condition for a fresh cask also a slight haze.
Judy G Garland		09 Nov 2013
Archie14		09 Nov 2013	Lovely
Archie14		02 Nov 2013	In fine form:)

Harbour Arms, Margate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Magnus Greel		31 Jul 2017	Disappointing

The Firkin Frog, Herne Bay, Kent

The Admiral's Arm, Queenborough, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE		03 Dec 2016	Sweetish session beer.

The Lifeboat Ale & Cider House, Margate, Kent

Red Lion, Badlesmere, Kent

The Thomas Ingoldsby, Canterbury, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew		25 Jul 2016	Bit cold and a touch apply but also very drinkable.
Alenomore	Not Tried	23 Sep 2013

The Phoenix, Canterbury, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew	Not Tried	27 May 2016
Andrew	Not Tried	05 Dec 2014
Andrew	Not Tried	17 Oct 2014
Andrew		28 Nov 2013	Lacking a bit of condition bit drinkable. Interestingly this is the first pub I had this beer in
Brian	Not Tried	10 Nov 2012
Andrew		09 Mar 2012	Umm, not in the greatest condition (cloudy and some floaters) but still drinkable.
Andrew	Not Tried	22 Jun 2011
Andrew	Not Tried	20 May 2011
Andrew	Not Tried	19 May 2011
Blair	Not Tried	13 Apr 2011
Martin the Mildman	Not Tried	26 Mar 2011

Parrot, Canterbury, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew		26 Feb 2016	Top session quality
Andrew		05 Mar 2012	Really lovely. Fresh, with a leafy, pink grapefruit hop. Top stuff.

The Just Reproach, Deal, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE	Not Tried	02 Feb 2016
Philip Pirrip		01 Aug 2013
HSB		05 Sep 2012
ChrisE		05 Sep 2012	We finished the cask.

The Cellars Alehouse, Maidstone, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		19 Dec 2015

The Conqueror Alehouse, Ramsgate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	26 Nov 2015
ChrisE		22 Jan 2014
Philip Pirrip		22 Sep 2012

Furlongs Ale House, Faversham, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew	Not Tried	12 Sep 2015
Philip Pirrip		20 Dec 2014	A very bland liquid with little taste

The Peter Cushing, Whitstable, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew		20 Aug 2015	Bit lack lustre
Tobes	Not Tried	07 Mar 2015
Baymart	Not Tried	13 Jun 2014

Louis Armstrong, Dover, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Vacuous		11 Aug 2015	nicely kept. had a few
Vacuous		15 May 2015	An unusually hoppy version of this beer, which is pretty hoppy anyway. No bad thing, but a bit much after the second one.
Philip Pirrip		27 Aug 2014	Proves beer does not have to be overchilled. Best beer of Dover trip

The Wrong Turn, Barfrestone, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Mick		22 Jul 2015	Nice pint of this golden bitter.

Artillery Arms, Ramsgate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Dosser	Not Tried	09 Jul 2015
HSB		27 Nov 2012
ChrisE	Not Tried	23 Aug 2012
Blair		03 Jun 2011	Good refreshing ale.
Blair	Not Tried	01 Jun 2011

The Society Rooms, Maidstone, Kent

Wye Beer Festival 2015, Wye, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew		26 Jun 2015

The Unicorn, Canterbury, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William	Not Tried	10 Jun 2015
Ian	Not Tried	11 Jun 2011
Ian		19 Mar 2010	One of the best pints of this I've had in some time. Fresh and lovely. Yes, hoppy, but not overly so with a little biscuit malt on the swallow.
Blair		01 Nov 2008	Really light, sweet bitter. Very refreshing and easy to drink.
Ian		21 Dec 2006	I haven't had this in a bit and had forgotten how good it was. Lots of hop and good pale malt base. But this is about the hop.

The Haywain, Bramling, Kent

The Handsome Sam, Whitstable, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		06 Nov 2014	Rather flat. In fact it soon ran out

Rack of Ale, Dover, Kent

The Mash Tun, Dover, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		06 Sep 2014

The Old Brewery Tavern, Canterbury, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William	Not Tried	06 Sep 2014
Andrew		03 Aug 2009	In good condition. Slightly rich, tangy, nutty-nettle hopped bear. Nice
Ian	Not Tried	24 May 2009
Andrew	Not Tried	11 Sep 2008	I miss read the pump clip and thought this was Skrim otherwise I may well have had it instead of the Otter.

Elephant & Hind (formerly The Burger Bros Bar & Grill; The Port of Call), Dover, Kent

Five Bells Inn, Brabourne, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew		12 Apr 2014	Excellent condition. Drying. Astringent. Tangy. Lemon & lime bite.
Wittenden	Not Tried	19 May 2012	Coming next.Frustrating, as I love this beer.

Bake & Alehouse, Westgate-on-Sea, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew	Not Tried	29 Mar 2014
Philip Pirrip		07 Jun 2012	One of the last out if not the very last one out of the cask
Blair	Not Tried	16 Jun 2011

The Sir Norman Wisdom, Deal, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Ian	Not Tried	23 Mar 2014
Philip Pirrip		01 Aug 2013

The Oxted Inn, Oxted, Surrey

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		20 Mar 2014

Six Bells, Woodchurch, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Ian	Not Tried	22 Feb 2014
ChrisE	Not Tried	11 Jan 2014
Ian	Not Tried	11 Jan 2014
Pedro	Not Tried	09 Aug 2013
ChrisE		21 May 2013
Pedro	Not Tried	22 Feb 2013
ChrisE	Not Tried	22 Nov 2012
ChrisE		02 Nov 2012
Pedro	Not Tried	19 Oct 2012
Wittenden		02 Jul 2012	Hops to the fore, with stone fruit to the finish.Excellent stuff.On consideration, I've upped this to 5 star.
Pedro	Not Tried	19 May 2012
Pedro	Not Tried	11 May 2012
Pedro	Not Tried	18 Feb 2012
Pedro	Not Tried	17 Feb 2012
ChrisE	Not Tried	30 Nov 2011
Pedro	Not Tried	13 Aug 2011
Pedro	Not Tried	12 Aug 2011
Pedro	Not Tried	19 Jun 2011
Pedro	Not Tried	04 Jun 2011
Pedro	Not Tried	06 May 2011
Pedro		23 Apr 2011
Pedro	Not Tried	18 Feb 2011
Pedro		28 Dec 2010

The Heritage, Halfway (Sheppey), Kent

The Great Tree, Ramsgate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE		22 Jan 2014
Philip Pirrip		22 Sep 2012	My palate was jaded by mountains of cough sweets but my colleague confirmed it was perhaps the best Braid he had quaffed for a long time

The Hop Pocket, Bossingham, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Mick	Not Tried	04 Jan 2014
Mick		16 Mar 2013	I like Hopdaemon beers, the Skrimshander and Incubus are superb but this is always a bit underwhelming.
Mick		02 Feb 2013	fresh and spicy, a good pint.

The Dolphin, Canterbury, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew		02 Sep 2013
Eddie		06 Oct 2012	Not had this for a while and very nice it was to :)
Andrew		01 Jul 2012	Bit too soapy in the mouth and a bit dull for this usually nice beer.
Blair		30 Jun 2012	Yup perfectly good pint of braid.
Pedro		29 Apr 2012
Ian		10 Jul 2010	Very drinkable session bitter
Andrew		10 Jul 2010	Good condition. Reminded me of Swale Kentish Admiral (which of course isn't brewed anymore)
Andrew		15 Aug 2009	Excellent condition. Slightly creamy with body. This felt like an oaty best bitter. Nothing like the Golden Braid of years ago which would blow your socks off with its dry, hoppy, blast. Still, a good session bitter.
Ian	Not Tried	24 May 2009

The Bouncing Barrel, Herne Bay, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		07 May 2013	Lacking body and a little flat

Stile Bridge, Marden, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
thebrewingman	Not Tried	02 Apr 2013
Magnus Greel		29 Sep 2011	A golden Helles style beer with luscious tropical fruit aromas and a crisp clean finish. Delicious!
ChrisE		29 Sep 2011

The Humphrey Bean, Tonbridge, Kent

Leas Lift Beer Festival, Folkestone, Kent

Royal Cinque Ports Yacht Club, Dover, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	02 Mar 2013
HSB		02 Mar 2013
ChrisE	Not Tried	02 Mar 2013
Pedro	Not Tried	02 Mar 2013
Ian	Not Tried	01 Nov 2006	Phil sat and drank this all night, so it must have been in pretty good nick

The Butchers Arms, Herne, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Blair		16 Nov 2012	As good as braid gets.
Andrew	Not Tried	16 Mar 2012

The Flower Pot, Maidstone, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Pedro	Not Tried	07 Nov 2012
Alenomore	Not Tried	21 Sep 2012
Pedro		21 Sep 2012
Pedro	Not Tried	19 Sep 2012
Alenomore		18 Sep 2012	Came on at 22:00. And very good too.
Alenomore	Not Tried	20 Nov 2011
Ian	Not Tried	19 Nov 2011
Alenomore	Not Tried	19 Nov 2011
MattY1	Not Tried	19 Nov 2011
Pedro		18 Nov 2011
Angie		14 Oct 2011	Ran out
Pedro		12 Oct 2011
Angie	Not Tried	18 Jun 2011	Ran out

East Malling Beer & Cider Festivals 2012 and 2013, East Malling, Kent

Halfway House, Brenchley, Kent

Kent County Cricket Canterbury - CAMRA Beer Tent, Canterbury, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
oz11		10 Aug 2012

Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway Beer Festival 2012, Sittingbourne, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Alenomore		07 Jul 2012

Crabble Corn Mill Beer Festival 2012, Dover, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Mick		01 Jun 2012	I like this beer, a well balanced session bitter.

The Olde Wine Vaults (formerly The Vaults Cask & Kitchen), Faversham, Kent

The Three Mariners, Hythe, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Stephen Harris		21 Jan 2012	A golden, hoppy, well-carbonated and refreshing pint.
Ian	Not Tried	28 May 2009

The Padwell Arms, Seal, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Sessionstar		04 Oct 2011	Simply stunning pint.
Sessionstar	Not Tried	25 Aug 2011
Sessionstar		01 Jan 2011	Simply stunning pint.

The Railway Hotel, Appledore, Kent

Shipwrights Arms, Faversham, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
thebrewingman	Not Tried	23 Jun 2011
Andrew		08 May 2011	Excellent condition. Melon and fruit cocktail. Hint of bubblegum. Nice nettle hop finish
Andrew	Not Tried	02 May 2009
Andrew	Not Tried	20 Jul 2008	Jane had this and it tasted excellent (...if a little unnervingly like Goachers Light)
Andrew		21 Jan 2006	Mandarin and lychee flavours followed by a bitter elderflower bite. Shame most other pubs have Incubus rather than this!
Ian	Not Tried	29 Aug 2005
Andrew		26 Aug 2005	Light and hoppy.
Andrew		09 Apr 2005	A bit tired for this usually excellent beer
Ian		09 Apr 2005	Golden ale, some citrus fruit, thin in mouth , some hops and a bit tart/acid on finish.
Andrew		28 Aug 2004

The Yeoman (formerly Lion of Kent; Kentish Yeoman)., Bearsted, Kent

East Cliff Tavern, Folkestone, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE		12 Apr 2011	The finest pint of Golden Braid that I have ever had.

East Malling Beer & Cider Festival 2010, East Malling, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Alenomore		04 Sep 2010	Very refreshing.

2nd K&ES Railway Beer Festival 2010, Tenterden, Kent

Lenham Working Mens Club, Lenham, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Alenomore		22 May 2010
Pedro		22 May 2010

The Parrot (Young's), Canterbury, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Ian		10 Apr 2010	All agreed this had a bit of burnt plastic, rubber to it.
Andrew		10 Apr 2010	Bit of an odd flavour to it; kind of like the essence of perspex or rubber or something. The condition wasn't great either. I drank it all though so it was okay.

The Samuel Peto, Folkestone, Kent

The Unicorn, Bekesbourne, Kent

Blakes of Dover, Dover, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Dubbel	Not Tried	06 Feb 2009
Brian		22 May 2006	No head at all, slight golden tinge. Excellent full hop flavour.
Ian		24 Sep 2005	Bit like the Skrim really. In fact I had the last pint of this and it was taken off to be replaced by the Crouch Vale Best Bitter. Golden Braid was flat and dull.

Simple Simon's, Canterbury, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew	Not Tried	23 Apr 2008	Went off as I ordered it
Blair		01 Dec 2007	Sweet and refreshing, good session bitter.
Andrew		24 Nov 2007	Liked this -I think. I remember thinking afterwards that it was good. It was the last pint I had so to be honest I don't remember much about it except it was excellent.
Ian		24 Nov 2007	Everyone else thought that this was good. Perhaps I expect more hop from my golden ales. Fine, tasty and easy drinking.
Andrew		31 Oct 2007	Bit too cold. Rich oatiness with a hint of strawberry with a straw mellow bitter finish.
Andrew		19 Oct 2007	A touch too cold but excellent. Fresh, hoppy and dry.
Ian		20 May 2007	I had this because sometimes it can be sublime. This is perfectly drinkable, no off flavours, decent dry citrus finish, lacks a bit of condition maybe.
Ian		27 Dec 2006	Not as good as I was hoping for, but the hop was still good.
Andrew	Not Tried	27 Dec 2006
Brian		11 Nov 2006	Superb fresh cut grass and hay. Straw coloured and livelier than I remember. Perfect balance of bitter fruit and malt. It has the feel of a summer pint though, not one for a grey November day in front of a wood fire.

Red Lion, Snargate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew	Not Tried	31 Jul 2006	Had a sip of Jane's and it was a bit flat and lifeless
Ian		24 Jun 2006	Very easy drinking golden session bitter

The Yew Tree Inn, Barfrestone, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew		04 Jun 2006	A lovely lime smell is followed by some subtle mellon on the front of the tounge and then rich mellon and well ballanced pineapple hop flavours dominate. Rich syrupy pineapple bitter finish. Ace!

The Duck, Pett Bottom, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew		23 Aug 2005	Lovely and hoppy with a slightly orangy flowery nose. Great rich, sweet malt finish. An excellent pint.

Rare Breeds Beer Festival 2005, Woodchurch, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Ian		03 Jun 2005	The type of beer I love. Golden, good hop nose, with citric/lemon flavours. Good sherberty flavour with tangy lemon on the tongue. Superb

Crabble Corn Mill Beer Festival 2005, Dover, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Ian		27 May 2005	Blond session beer. Not as hoppy as it can be, but still has some nice citrus notes

Rose & Crown, Elham, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Ian		14 Dec 2004	A bit too cold and not with its normal hoppy bite
Ian		12 Nov 2004	Golden session beer. Hops to the fore. Just so well made, you wonder why other brewers can't make beer this good.
Ian		12 Nov 2004	Refreshing, typical Hopdeamon hops and yeast bringing a very drinkable session bitter

Coastguard, St Margaret's at Cliffe, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Martin		05 Nov 2004	Impressive still, but had better here a couple of weeks before