Dark Star Hophead (was 3.8%) brewed by Fuller's

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.

Jolly Drayman, Gravesend, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Hogan Sampling		20 Dec 2025	Good head and lacing and lasting on this now Fuller's brewed hoppy golden ale in Chiswick, London, but no longer at 3.8% as the pump clip suggests. A very hoppy first bite. A good fruity hoppiness jumping up from its lashings of Cascade hops lending it a citrusy hint among its gentle malts. A subtle floral and elderflower flavouring aiding the abseil down the Christmas tree's branches. Slightly over fruited for my slightly discerning taste buds but I do like to give them a dose of Hophead every now and again to wake them up!
Hogan Sampling	Not Tried	18 Oct 2025
Hogan Sampling	Not Tried	13 Sep 2025
Hogan Sampling	Not Tried	07 Jun 2025
Hogan Sampling	Not Tried	15 Feb 2025
Hogan Sampling		08 Feb 2025	Good head and lacing on this golden ale from Dark Star and brewed by Fuller's in Chiswick, London. A very bitter first hit. A dry, hoppy mouthfeel with a slight hint of elderflower in the aftertaste.
Hogan Sampling	Not Tried	11 Jan 2025
Hogan Sampling	Not Tried	04 Jan 2025
Hogan Sampling	Not Tried	21 Dec 2024
Hogan Sampling	Not Tried	14 Dec 2024
Hogan Sampling		02 Nov 2024	Came with a good head and lacing. A lightly hoppy mouthfeel with a mildly bitter aftertaste.

The Miners Arms, Dunton Green, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Hogan Sampling		13 Dec 2025	Very good head and lacing and lasting on this now Fuller’s brewed session golden ale from their Griffin Brewery in Chiswick which now belongs to the Japanese firm, Asahi Breweries, following their January 2019 takeover. A pleasurably hoppy first hit. A dry fruitiness rising with elderflower and citrus flavours. A dry lingering hoppiness pervading aided by its Cascade hops with a bitter aftertaste.

The Cow & Stout (formerly The Quiet Man), Hertford, Hertfordshire

The Anchor Inn, Wingham, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William		29 Nov 2025

The Crown Inn, Finglesham, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisatSturry		09 Nov 2025	Happy but never sure you want another pint of it.
ChrisatSturry		10 Jul 2025	Citrus hit then becomes quite bland.
Jack William		05 Jun 2025	Condition good and a full pint served. This ale is only a shadow of its former self though. The ABV has been reduced but I also think the other ingredients have also been cut back - it really is a very weak flavoured beer now lacking in body.
ChrisatSturry	Not Tried	13 Mar 2025
Jack William		02 Feb 2025	In very good condition.
Jack William		15 Dec 2024
ChrisatSturry	Not Tried	15 Dec 2024
ChrisatSturry	Not Tried	07 Nov 2024

The Garibaldi, St Albans, Hertfordshire

Who	Score	When	Notes
Hogan Sampling		01 Nov 2025	This golden ale from the Chiswick-based brewery was literally being pulled up afresh following another cask running dry. Our timing therefore was spot on. It exhibited a truly frothy head and lacing you would have been immensely proud of for aiding covering the windows for the old wartime blackouts. A dry fruity first hit. A fruitiness rising from its citrus, orange, lemon and blackcurrant hoppy notes. A good dose of hoppy bitterness winning over from its blend of English and American hops before ebbing downwards in that sea of frothiness it was supremely holding onto.

The Parcel Yard, King's Cross / St Pancras, Central London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Magnus Greel		22 Oct 2025	Would've been an easy 4* had it not been served so damn cold!! Grrrr.....

Larkins' Alehouse, Cranbrook, Kent

The Haywain, Bramling, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William		18 Sep 2025	In top form.
Magnus Greel		18 Jun 2025	Hoppy zesty refreshingly chilled.

The New Inn, Canterbury, Kent

Parkerville, Herne Bay, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew		29 Aug 2025	Nice

The Good Intent, Petersfield, Hampshire

Who	Score	When	Notes
Hogan Sampling		09 Aug 2025	Head and lacing, very good, and lasting, good, on this Asahi UK-brewed beer from the old Fuller's Griffin Brewery in Chiswick, London. A dry fruit-infused first bite. A slightly sweet malty note or two rising and among its dry hoppiness. A citrus-fruitiness winning over and a dry hoppy bitterness sailing off into the early evening sunset.
Hogan Sampling		05 Jul 2025	Came with very good head and lacing and lasting on this Asahi UK-brewed beer from the old Fuller's Griffin Brewery in Chiswick, London. A fruit-infused first bite. A slightly sweet maltiness rising and competing with its dry hoppiness. A citrus-infused fruitiness pervading and a dry hoppy bitterness lingering.

Two Sawyers, Canterbury, Kent

The Monument, Canterbury, Kent

The Magnet (formerly The Magnet Micropub), Broadstairs, Kent

The Bull Inn, Benenden, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Wittenden		10 Jul 2025	In good order, but not a patch on how it once was.
Wittenden	Not Tried	15 Jun 2025
Wittenden	Not Tried	12 Apr 2025
Magnus Greel	Not Tried	11 Nov 2024

The Partridge, Bromley, Greater London

The Elgin, Ladbroke Grove, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Hogan Sampling		22 Feb 2025	Good head and lacing. A dry and fruity first hit. A mildly fruity and dry hoppy mouthfeel and lingering in the aftertaste.

The Plough Inn, Stalisfield Green, Kent

Pearson's Arms, Whitstable, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William		04 Jan 2025

Ship Centurion, Whitstable, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William		04 Jan 2025	Was very good.
Andrew		24 Sep 2024	Hugely drinkable. Really happy, and in great condition

The Quay (formerly Swan & Harlequin), Faversham, Kent

Blythe Hill Tavern, Forest Hill, Greater London

Bell Inn, St Nicholas-at-Wade, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisatSturry		28 Nov 2024	Pleasant, hoppy but a little tired.

Rose & Crown, Halstead, Kent