Buxton Gatekeeper

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.

Great Northern, St Albans, Hertfordshire

Who	Score	When	Notes
Hogan Sampling		26 Sep 2026	Came with superb head and lasting lacing on this dark porter from brewing launched in 2009 in a family garage in Buxton, Derbyshire, before expanding to a custom-built brewhouse to handle the extra volume. A dry bitter first bite from its British hops lending an earthy fruity kick. A malty bitterness rising from its mix of barley, aiding roasty notes of coffee grounds, its thick oats aiding its silky mouthfeel for me and wheat aiding its tan head on top. A bitter dark chocolatey malt shining with hints of malt toffee and molasses. A dry bitterness lingering. Served in top nick with plenty of conditioning.

Halfway House, Brenchley, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Hogan Sampling		23 May 2026	9th and final half-pint of beer of this visit: Served with a very good head and lasting lacing with a creamy top on this dark porter from Buxton and said to be inspired by the misty landscapes and storied history of the Peak District in Derbyshire. A dry malty first hit. A fruited bitterness rising from its mix of traditional bittering hops and the odd fruity hop to complement the complex blend of barley, oats and wheat primarily driving its flavours. A caramelised chocolatey flavouring rising alongside hints of coffee grounds. A slice of dried fruit tap dancing on my taste buds. Caramel flavours presenting in the malty bitterness paddling out with a touch of sweet treacle from its mix of barley, oats and wheat. Served in very good nick and my third-best beer of this visit.
Hogan Sampling		24 May 2025	4th beer: A superbly creamy head and plentiful lacing and lasting on this Buxton, south-east of Manchester, dark porter. A pleasantly dry bitter first hit. A malty dryness rising up and presenting coffee-infused and chocolatey flavourings. A moreishly bitter dryness lingering on.

Pelton Arms, East Greenwich, Greater London

Bethnal Green Tavern, Bethnal Green, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Stephen Harris		14 Mar 2020	This beer always totally hits the spot.

Fez, Margate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE		28 Nov 2019

The Compass Alehouse, Gravesend, Kent

The Rusty Bucket, Eltham, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Stephen Harris		17 Mar 2019	A very nice black Porter.