Tonbridge Country Best

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 River Ale House, East Greenwich, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Hogan Sampling		11 Oct 2026	1st beer of this visit: Fresh on with very good head and lasting lacing on this tawny-amber hued English best bitter from brewing set up in 2010. Starting life as a modest four-barrel operation in the heart of Tonbridge before in April 2014, the whole caboodle moved to a bigger twelve-barrel establishment in Branbridges Road, East Peckham, Kent, using an ancient, lively yeast strain originally pinched from the historic Barclay Perkins Brewery over in Southwark, London. A malty first hit. A hoppy bitterness rising with a dry hoppy fruitiness emanating from its Fuggles hops behind its earthy woodiness and herbal depth, and Pilgrim hops lending bittering and a sharpness. Its maltiness giving rise to caramelised biscuit and toffee-infusions from its UK-grown and kilned barley. Here the brewers completely omitting wheat to keep the liquor certified gluten-free for the modern drinker. The standard malted barley setting up a bready platform, and the sweeter specialty malts behind its caramel and toffee traits. An orchard fruitiness going out on a spicy finish that pleasingly lingered on my tongue and so demanded another pint from the barman. Served in good nick but a tad fresh with a slight fizz, Gee Whizz! And that was my polite way from the late 1800s of saying "Jesus" without getting cuffed by the parish beadle.
Philip Pirrip		11 Oct 2026	One of Tonbridge's best ales. New cask on today and zesty
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	10 Mar 2026
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	08 Mar 2026
Hogan Sampling		08 Mar 2026	1st beer of this visit: Second day on and still in excellent form was this Kent-based traditional amber-coloured bitter from East Peckham, north-east of Tonbridge itself. Very good head and lacing and lasting the whole performance in my glass. A moreishly dry bitter first hit. A hoppiness rising from its Kent-grown Fuggles and Pilgrim hops with ever so mildly fruited, floral and spicy notes. A not overly-done maltiness with gentle hints of caramel and toffee joining in for good measure. A markedly dry but pleasantly bitter hoppiness sliding out. Still in top form on its second day on.
Hogan Sampling		07 Mar 2026	First day on for this Kent-based amber-coloured traditional bitter from East Peckham, north-east of Tonbridge itself. Displaying a very healthy head and its lacing sticking to the glass the whole way. A hoppy bitter first hit. Its hoppiness climbing high. A gentle floral and spicy infusion mixed with hedgerow fruits such as the odd blackberry emanating from its Kent-grown Fuggles and Pilgrim hops. A gentle maltiness winning over with touches of caramel and toffee. A pleasantly dry bitter hoppiness paddling out. In top form in every way, to look at, to taste and the right sort of moreish mouthfeel. Many of the other Saturday regulars were also very taken by it. Interesting I should have had it so very recently in the Compass Ale House in Gravesend about an hour earlier where it seemed to taste slightly more sweet but just as good to my taste buds as here.
Hogan Sampling		04 Jan 2025	Good head and lacing on this East Peckham-based brewery's bitter, just outside Tonbridge, as only its first day on. A very sweet first hit which was not very welcome as in caramel and toffee flavours. The malty mouthfeel however made it moreish and so stuck with it and with a hint of spice and dark fruity malts in the dryish aftertaste.

The New Inn, Canterbury, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William		01 Oct 2026	Perfect traditional best bitter
Magnus Greel	Not Tried	11 Jul 2026
Jack William	Not Tried	11 Jul 2026
Andrew	Not Tried	29 Nov 2025
Andrew		31 Jan 2025	Rich light caramel

One Inn The Wood, Petts Wood, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		12 Sep 2026	A tasty brew with good bittering

Artillery Arms, Ramsgate, Kent

The Compass Alehouse, Gravesend, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Hogan Sampling		02 May 2026	Very good head and lacing indeed and lasting throughout on this traditional bitter from East Peckham, Kent. A dry hoppy first hit. A gentle spicy fruitiness rising from its locally grown Kentish Fuggles lending it hints of apple and pear alongside a touch of blackcurrant. Its Pilgrim hops lending for me also hints apricot. A dry bitterness lasting and balanced with a hint of maltiness from its UK-grown malted barley. A moreish hoppiness paddling out. Served in great nick and seriously drinkable.
Philip Pirrip		25 Apr 2026	In lovely condition. Tonbridge ales have certainly come up in the world of late
Hogan Sampling		07 Mar 2026	1st beer of this visit: Very good head and lacing presented and lasting throughout. A dry malty bitterness in its first bite from this Kent amber-coloured best bitter from East Peckham, north-east of Tonbridge, and formerly known as Countryman. An oaty, biscuity flavouring rising from its British malted barley. It was like a liquid flapjack to my taste buds. Malty caramelised notes winning over with its caramel mixed with toffee flavourings. A lingering bitterness from its Kentish hops, including Fuggles and Pilgrim, lending it herbal, spicy and mildly fruity notes and overcoming its maltiness on its sail downwards. Well presented and full of life.
Hogan Sampling		20 Dec 2025	1st beer of this visit: Presenting very good head and lacing and lasting on this East Peckham amber bitter, formerly known as "Countryman" and from north-east of Tonbridge itself. A dry bitter first hit. A malty note climbing up with caramel and toffee hints. A dry hoppiness winning over from its Kentish Fuggles and Pilgrim hops, lending it spicy hints and fruitiness on its final descent. Very moreish and in top condition.

The Haywain, Bramling, Kent

The Anchor, Sevenoaks, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Hogan Sampling		13 Dec 2025	This East Peckham-brewed Kentish best bitter from north-east of Tonbridge came with a very healthy head and lacing and lasting superbly. A dry moreishly hoppy first hit. A fruited bitterness looming up aided by its Kentish Fuggles and Pilgrim hops lending it a mild spiciness with touches of herb and fruit flavourings. A pleasant hoppiness paddling out on its downwards journey with a splash of maltiness.

The Thomas Tallis Alehouse, Canterbury, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Hogan Sampling		26 Jul 2025	Very good head and lacing and lasting on this best bitter from East Peckham, north-east of Tonbridge. A moreishly very bitter first bite. A dry hoppiness rising from its Kentish Fuggles and Pilgrim hops. A subtle maltiness coming to the fore alongside a hint of spice and fruit. A pleasantly lingering bitterness.

The Furze Wren, Bexleyheath, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		22 Apr 2025	Pretty mundane bitter

The Pub Herne Bay, Herne Bay, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew		24 Jan 2025	Strawberry fruity brown bitter. Nettle hops.

The Long Pond, Eltham, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		29 Nov 2024	A newish ale from Tonbridge with great hop balance