Goacher's Silver Star

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
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	29 Jun 2026
Hogan Sampling		29 Jun 2026	Second day on for this Maidstone-brewed straw-coloured Kentish pale ale and presenting good head and lacing and almost lasting. A dry but also slightly zesty sweet hoppy first hit. A lightly fruited hoppiness rising from its locally sourced Kent Fuggles and East Kent Goldings. This pale ale was created in 2008 to celebrate the brewery's 25th anniversary, having launched in 1983. A dry hoppy resinous flavouring prevailing on its sliding downwards. Also aided by Maris Otter winter barley malt but not in the least malty to my taste buds and kilned very gently at a lower temperature to ensure the beer retains its pale straw, golden hue rather than turning amber or brown. Served in top condition on its second day on.
Hogan Sampling	Not Tried	28 Jun 2026
Philip Pirrip		28 Jun 2026	Minimal condition
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	14 May 2026	Ran out as I ordered
Hogan Sampling		14 May 2026	2nd beer of this visit: Second day on and presented with a good head and lasting lacing on this Maidstone pale first produced in 2008 to celebrate Goacher’s 25th anniversary. A dry hoppy first bite. A fruitiness climbing up. A lingering fruity hoppiness from its Fuggles hops. Served in top form and very moreish! Sadly it ran out after trying just one!
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	06 May 2026	Warned off for being flat
Hogan Sampling		05 May 2026	1st beer of this visit: Second day on and very good head and lacing and lasting on this Maidstone-brewed Kentish pale ale. A not too fruity first hit. A very quaffable hoppiness rising from its Kent Fuggles and prevailing with earthy, woody and grassy flavourings. A lingering hoppy floral fruitiness in the mouthfeel. Served in good condition.
Hogan Sampling		15 Jul 2025	Second night on and so presenting good head and lacing and lasting. A hoppy fruit-infused first bite on this Maidstone-based pale ale. A dry hoppy fruitiness rising and a dry hoppiness, emanating from its Kent Fuggles, lingering.
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	19 May 2025
Hogan Sampling		18 May 2025	Fresh on today and very good head and lacing on this Maidstone-based pale. A fruit-infused and hoppy first hit from those Kent Fuggles. A hoppy bitterness then pervading with a mildly fruity mouthfeel kicking in and a moreish dryness lingering.
Philip Pirrip		18 May 2025	Good condition but lacking any distinctive taste
Hogan Sampling		10 May 2025	Second night on for this Maidstone pale and still presenting good head and lacing and sticking throughout. A hoppy mouthfeel from those Kent Fuggles' hops alongside the odd hint of fruit thrown in. A dry hoppiness persisting.
Hogan Sampling	Not Tried	09 May 2025
Hogan Sampling	Not Tried	27 Sep 2024
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	26 Sep 2024
Hogan Sampling	Not Tried	26 Sep 2024
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	25 Sep 2024
Hogan Sampling		24 Sep 2024	Good head and lacing. Lacks the hoppiness of its baby brother, Goacher's Green Hop EKG Pale, but with a pleasantly dry finish.
Hogan Sampling	Not Tried	22 Sep 2024
Philip Pirrip		22 Sep 2024	Never a favourite of mine
Hogan Sampling		21 Sep 2024	In very good condition. A lasting, citrusy mouthfeel with a dry, hoppy aftertaste.
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	08 Aug 2024
Hogan Sampling		08 Aug 2024	Low on carbonation but with some fine hoppy flavours in this pale and nice dry aftertaste. Apparently only its second night on.
Hogan Sampling		02 Aug 2024	In very fine form and a superb dry, hoppy finish that lingers and makes it very moreish and so stuck to it for whole visit.
Philip Pirrip		01 Aug 2024	Cask newly on today. Possibly fresh as held little head or lacing
Hogan Sampling		01 Aug 2024	Very moreish and best so far was this pale with dry hoppy aftertaste.
Philip Pirrip		23 Jun 2024	Undistinguished bitter
Hogan Sampling		23 Jun 2024	In good form is this pale with dry, crisp aftertaste.
Philip Pirrip		12 Jun 2024	Poured quite flat and remained so
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	16 Jun 2022	Ran out
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	15 Jun 2022
Philip Pirrip		13 Jun 2022	Rather flat in glass
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	12 Jun 2022
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	24 Jun 2021
Philip Pirrip		23 Jun 2021	Usually no fan but this was well rounded albeit with light hopping. New cask on this evening
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	26 Aug 2020	Ran out
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	23 Aug 2020
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	22 Aug 2020
Philip Pirrip		26 May 2019	Ran out shortly after I ordered

The Paper Mill, Sittingbourne, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew		05 Jun 2026

Larkins' Alehouse, Cranbrook, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Wittenden		02 May 2026	Crisp, willowy Pale Ale
Wittenden	Not Tried	05 Oct 2024
Wittenden	Not Tried	01 Aug 2020
Wittenden		21 Sep 2019	Pale and earthy,floral.Ah,Fuggles.

The Chequers, Loose, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisatSturry		26 Dec 2025	Medium hopped light bitter.

Montefiore Arms, Ramsgate, Kent

The Long Pond, Eltham, Greater London

The Little Gem, Aylesford, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Magnus Greel		09 May 2025	Unexpectedly bland and watery compared to the lower ABV ales.
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	31 Jul 2021	On a gravity cask

Rifle Volunteers, Maidstone, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Magnus Greel	Not Tried	01 Mar 2023
ChrisE	Not Tried	01 Feb 2020
ChrisE	Not Tried	30 Jul 2019
Magnus Greel	Not Tried	30 Jul 2019
Magnus Greel	Not Tried	30 Jul 2019
ChrisE	Not Tried	20 Apr 2018
ChrisE		01 Aug 2015
Andrew		23 Jul 2015	Nice
Pedro		01 Aug 2009
Pedro	Not Tried	28 Jul 2009
Pedro	Not Tried	26 Jul 2009
Pedro	Not Tried	11 Jul 2009
Pedro	Not Tried	14 Jun 2009
Pedro		13 Jun 2009
Pedro	Not Tried	11 Jun 2009
Ian		04 Sep 2008	I had a half of all three beers one. This is more my kind of style of beer and glad I had it once more whilst it's still available.
Ian		23 Jun 2008	Chris said that this barrel had been excellent and it was getting near the end. I had the last 2 pints. This was a bit maltier than the two versions I've had before, a bit more like the Fine Light than the Gold Star. Tasty.

The New Inn, Canterbury, Kent

Parkerville, Herne Bay, Kent

Red Lion, Snargate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE	Not Tried	01 Jun 2021
ChrisE	Not Tried	08 May 2019
ChrisE		25 Jul 2015
Ian		21 Jun 2008	Still very very good. Bit of tea but right in the middle of Gold Star and Fine Light.

The Man of Kent Ale House, Rochester, Kent

The Beer Seller, Tonbridge, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Stephen Harris		21 Jun 2019	Fuggles-hopped beers can often be too soft and malty. This is fresh and crisp and lovely.

The Just Reproach, Deal, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Magnus Greel		22 Aug 2018	A taster - not at all sickly sweet unlike its big brother Gold Star, more dry light refreshing pale ale.

The Broken Drum, Blackfen, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		20 Sep 2017

Kings Head, Kingsdown, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William		13 Jun 2016	Condition was fine - but this really didn't have much taste or body.

The Tankerton Arms, Tankerton, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William		17 May 2016	Very pleasant, excellent condition.

The Bouncing Barrel, Herne Bay, Kent

Bull Inn, West Malling, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Tobes		09 Aug 2014
Pedro	Not Tried	27 Oct 2012
Pedro	Not Tried	26 Oct 2012
Pedro		23 Oct 2012

Kipps' Alehouse, Folkestone, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Richard F		09 Jul 2014	Really crisp and refreshing.

6th K&ES Railway Beer Festival 2014, Tenterden, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Archie14		14 Jun 2014

Bridge Arms (formerly The White Horse Inn), Bridge, Kent

Five Bells Inn, Brabourne, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Wittenden		10 Sep 2013	Stone fruit, long hop finish. Slightly sweet after the Dark.

Friars, Aylesford, Kent

The Firkin Alehouse, Folkestone, Kent

The Flower Pot, Maidstone, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Alenomore		26 Oct 2012	Another excellant Green Hopped type.
Pedro		24 Oct 2012
Eddie		07 Sep 2012	I've not been a huge fan of this brew from the Tovil brewery but I was impressed today by this example.
Pedro	Not Tried	06 Sep 2012
Pedro		07 Jul 2009
Dosser	Not Tried	05 Jul 2009

Shipwrights Arms, Faversham, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Pedro		20 Oct 2012	This was the Green Hopped version, very nice flavour.
Andrew		22 Jul 2010	Excellent condition. Fruity and light with a kind of mild Goacher's Gold Star about it.
Andrew		20 Jul 2008	Like buses, I don't see this for 6 months and then 2 come along at the same time. In fantasitc condition. Light and refreshing with a good lemony hop finish. There's no real body to this though and I was left feeling I'd just drunk a german lager.

The Black Lion, Lynsted, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Wittenden		20 Oct 2012	Badged as a Green Hop Ale.As pale as something from Yorkshire, but with that wonderful earthy Goacher's character.A long aromatic hop finish.

Kent Green Hop Beer Festival 2012, Canterbury, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
oz11		29 Sep 2012
ChrisE	Not Tried	28 Sep 2012	Brewed with Kentish Green Hops. I did not try this but people seemed to be impressed with it.

The Royal Paper Mill, Maidstone, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Pedro		21 Sep 2012
Pedro	Not Tried	26 Aug 2010

Lord Raglan, Staplehurst, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Pedro		21 Sep 2012

The Elephant, Faversham, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		19 Sep 2012

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

The Lifeboat Ale & Cider House, Margate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Blair	Not Tried	08 Nov 2010
ChrisE		19 Jul 2010	This beer is extremely popular with the regulars in this pub, and I have to say, it was very good.
beery steve		07 Jul 2010	First time for this beer Superb colour

The Unicorn, Bekesbourne, Kent

The Woolpack Inn, Warehorne, Kent

Kent Beer Festival 2008, Canterbury, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew		18 Jul 2008	Pale straw coloured beer. Quite spicy which implied to me that it just needed to mellow a bit in the barrel. Slight hint of Goacher's Light but mainly it tasted of Gold Star without the malt.
Brian		17 Jul 2008	Bright golden beer. A bit of fierce tang and a foamy head. Excellent condition.

The Bohemian, Deal, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Ian		12 Jul 2008	Served slightly warm. Not quite at it's best, bit of lager puke malt on aroma which was odd. Hop finish is stunning though.

Rare Breeds Beer Festival 2008, Woodchurch, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Ian		07 Jun 2008	As good as the previous day and the second best beer of the festival behind the Dark Star APA
Ian		06 Jun 2008	Clear gold, lasting white head. That's excellent. Just great condition, bit creamy and lovely hops. One of the best Goacher's beers. Just lovely. Like Gold Star but as a bitter strength, same flavours, just less alcohol. I had it twice this evening and again on the Saturday.