Pilgrim Progress 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 Garibaldi, Redhill, Surrey

Who	Score	When	Notes
Hogan Sampling		31 Oct 2026	2nd beer of this visit: Very good head and lacing and lasting on this locally brewed bitter from the Pilgrim Brewery at Reigate set up in 1982, making it the absolute oldest independent micro-outfit in the whole county of Surrey and found off West Street in the market town of Reigate, sitting on the ancient tracks where the old-time travellers used to trudge. A very dry bitter first bite on this lovely copper-amber hued drop going back to the brewery’s start, and named after the wandering souls who marched along the historic Pilgrims' Way. A biscuity maltiness rising from its Maris Otter behind its sweet, and crusty bread biscuit base, Crystal throwing down a heavy dollop of caramel sweetness, and Chocolate malt and Roast Barley rendering a toasted maltiness and baked pastry flavouring. A pleasantly fruity hoppiness joining in from the tossing of an international mixture of classic and modern varieties into the kettle. Its British Pioneer and Whitbread Golding Varieties from local soil exuding a sharp, woody cedar touch with a honeyed garden spice. Its American hops unleashing a vibrant punch of pears and orchard fruits, and its Slovenian hops behind its floral hoppiness. A day earthy hoppiness winning over for me with a bittersweet orchard fruit and spiced woodiness and floral notes on the slide out down my red lane. Served in very good form with plenty of carbonation in the mouthfeel.
Hogan Sampling		09 Nov 2024	Good head and lacing. A pleasantly hoppy amber bitter with a dry, moreish mouthfeel.

The Hatch, Redhill, Surrey

Who	Score	When	Notes
Hogan Sampling		25 Jan 2025	Good head and lacing on this Pilgrim Brewery bitter and from just up the road in Reigate. A bitter first hit. A lightly fruity mouthfeel with a moreishly dry aftertaste.
Hogan Sampling	Not Tried	30 Nov 2024
Hogan Sampling		09 Nov 2024	Very good head and lacing. A moreishly bitter mouthfeel made this a great pleasure to sup.

Pilgrim Brewery Tap Room, Reigate, Surrey

Who	Score	When	Notes
Hogan Sampling		30 Nov 2024	In fine form was the head and lacing and the first of the trio in my flight of thirds. A fine tasting hoppy, malty mix in the mouthfeel with a moreishly dry lingering aftertaste.
Hogan Sampling		09 Nov 2024	Very good head and lacing and as you would expect when drinking at the source. A very bitter, bitter and as I prefer. A good old-fashioned mouthfeel with a pleasing dryness in the aftertaste.

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

Chesham Arms, Homerton, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE		23 Jan 2017	Very popular in here tonight.

Royal Cinque Ports Yacht Club, Dover, Kent

The Harp, Charing Cross, Central London

The Merry Harriers, Hambledon, Surrey

Who	Score	When	Notes
Wittenden		14 Dec 2013	Tawny , fruity best bitter. Toffee malt.Bittersweet.
Wittenden		11 Jul 2012	A comforting best bitter,ruby brown.Sweet malt,some earthy hops,hint of bonfires. I really liked this.

The Bedford, Tunbridge Wells, Kent

The Humphrey Bean, Tonbridge, Kent

Blue Anchor, Reigate, Surrey

Who	Score	When	Notes
thebrewingman		15 Nov 2011	A really nice pint - so good I had another.