Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) Blue Top

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.

Old Dairy Taproom, Tenterden, Kent

The Kentish Rifleman, Dunk's Green, Kent

Bowl Inn, Charing, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew	Not Tried	29 Aug 2022
Jack William	Not Tried	06 Sep 2015
Jack William		02 Jul 2014	Excellent full bodied IPA - first of a new barrel and in top condition.
Alenomore	Not Tried	18 Jul 2010

The Monument, Canterbury, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William		26 Aug 2022

The Furze Wren, Bexleyheath, Greater London

The New Cross Turnpike, Welling, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		30 Jul 2022	Dubious, no off flavours but a haze

The Wrong 'Un, Bexleyheath, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		03 Jun 2022

The River Ale House, East Greenwich, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	10 May 2022
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	08 May 2022
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	06 May 2022
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	25 Feb 2022
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	24 Feb 2022
Philip Pirrip		23 Feb 2022	Flat, no condition. Disappointment
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	25 Jul 2021
Philip Pirrip		23 Jul 2021
Philip Pirrip		22 Jul 2021	Good old English hops
Philip Pirrip		03 Feb 2020	Went flat in the glass within a few sips

The Mechanical Elephant, Margate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Dosser		21 Apr 2022	Quality ale today

The Tankerton Arms, Tankerton, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Dosser		17 Feb 2022	In very good condition and £4 a pint.
Jack William		09 Nov 2017	An excellent, well balanced IPA in sparking condition.

The Freed Man, Walmer, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Magnus Greel		02 Feb 2022

The County Hotel, Ashford, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE		27 Dec 2021
ChrisE	Not Tried	12 Sep 2020	Ordered but it ran out.

The West Gate Inn, Canterbury, Kent

The Hoptimist Taproom & Bar, Dover, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William		18 Nov 2021	Superb full-body ale.

Three Sheets To The Wind, Rochester, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE		22 Jun 2021	Very good indeed.

The Hovelling Boat Inn, Ramsgate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Dosser		28 Oct 2020	Nice pint

Taproom (Formerly Taproom TN23; Vinnie's Bar & Club; Hortons Wine & Dine; Utopia), Ashford, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE		29 Nov 2019	Very good.

Carpenters Arms, Coldred, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William		27 Oct 2019	Lovely pint.

The Bouncing Barrel, Herne Bay, Kent

Robin Hood & Little John, Bexleyheath, Greater London

Bell & Crown, Canterbury, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew	Not Tried	03 Sep 2019
Andrew	Not Tried	18 Feb 2019
Blair	Not Tried	13 Apr 2011
Andrew	Not Tried	09 Apr 2011
Andrew	Not Tried	16 Mar 2011
Brian		15 Mar 2011	Another really good beer from Old Dairy. Worth seeking out.

The Eight Bells, Dover, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	31 Aug 2019
Philip Pirrip		14 Sep 2018	Difficulty pulling through, barmaid suspected end of cask. Overly malty and yeasty. Did not enjoy

The Waterworks, Rye, East Sussex

The White Lion Hotel, Tenterden, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE		26 May 2019	Spoiled by an over-tight sparkler.
Magnus Greel	Not Tried	26 Jul 2016
Jack William	Not Tried	21 Feb 2016
ChrisE	Not Tried	08 Aug 2014

Bake & Alehouse, Westgate-on-Sea, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William		11 Apr 2019	Hints of lavender? Definitely flowery notes.

The New Inn, Canterbury, Kent

Inkerman Arms, Rye Harbour, East Sussex

The Nevill Crest & Gun, Eridge Green, East Sussex

The Churchill Tavern, Ramsgate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Dosser	Not Tried	24 Jan 2019	One of our party loved this at £2.70. Excellent value.
Dosser		14 May 2015	Nice pint

The Hangar, Sidcup, Greater London

The Music Shop (formerly The Made Inn), Ashford, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Magnus Greel		13 Nov 2018	Not a great advocate of OD beers due to their sweetness, this example although fairly fresh would warrant a meddling Govt sugar tax levy.

Weald of Kent Ploughing Match 2018, Headcorn, Kent

The Bouverie Tap, Folkestone, Kent

The Long Pond, Eltham, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	28 Jun 2018
Philip Pirrip		23 Jun 2018	Slight haze, I do not seem to enjoy OD beers as in the days of their early incarnation
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	02 Jun 2018

The City of London, Dymchurch, Kent

Black Horse, Lewes, East Sussex

Opera House, Tunbridge Wells, Kent

Two Smoking Barrels, Sturry, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Magnus Greel		10 Apr 2018	Hazy and a tad sour, fresh barrel this morning was passed as explanation.
ChrisE		10 Apr 2018	Hazy, probably needed to be cellared for a bit longer.
Jack William	Not Tried	13 Mar 2018
Andrew	Not Tried	08 Jul 2016

Royal Victoria Pavilion, Ramsgate, Kent

The Milk House, Sissinghurst, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Wittenden		04 Feb 2018	Oatstraw:spicy,biscuity.Good pint of Blue.
Wittenden		12 Dec 2015	Best drop of Blue in ages. I'm sure they've upped the hops.Berries in the finish.

The Hare & Billet, Blackheath, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		25 Dec 2017

Docker Bar (formerly Inn Doors), Sandgate, Kent

The Black Robin, Kingston, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William	Not Tried	26 Sep 2017
Mick		26 Jun 2016	Nice IPA, always tastes a bit sweet to me on the first sip but spot on by the end of the pint.
Mick	Not Tried	06 Mar 2016
Mick		24 Feb 2016	Very nice, fresh on.
Mick		18 Feb 2016	super condition, very drinkable.
Mick		13 Dec 2015	First pint from new pin. Super
Brian		07 Nov 2015	Nice and clear, lacked a bit of the sweetness that you usually get with this beer.
Mick		01 Nov 2015	Superb IPA, perfect balance of hop and malt and in perfect condition.
Mick		04 Sep 2015	Perfect pale refreshing pint.
Mick		31 Aug 2015	Top condition, pale and hoppy.
Mick	Not Tried	29 May 2015
Mick	Not Tried	24 May 2015
Mick	Not Tried	17 May 2015
Mick	Not Tried	10 May 2015
Mick		20 Dec 2014	Nice IPA but a bit sweet for my taste.
Mick	Not Tried	03 Dec 2014
Mick		28 Nov 2014	Nice pint
Mick	Not Tried	27 Nov 2014
Mick		30 Sep 2014	A bit sweet for an ipa but very nice
Mick		24 Sep 2014	Perfect condition, pale refreshing, hoppy, creamy. good citrus, a bit sweet for an IPA? Easy drinking.

The Broken Drum, Blackfen, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		10 Jul 2017
Philip Pirrip		22 Aug 2016	Spot on

Furlongs Ale House, Faversham, Kent

The Robert Pocock, Gravesend, Kent

Copper Pottle, Beltinge, Kent

Ales of the Unexpected, Westbrook, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Dosser		15 Jan 2017

Louis Armstrong, Dover, Kent

Weald of Kent Ploughing Match 2016, Sissinghurst, Kent

The Steam Packet, Strood, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		16 Sep 2016

The Chequers on the Green, High Halden, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Wittenden		12 Mar 2016	Spicy,not stunning.

The Ship Inn, Rye, East Sussex

The Mariner, Folkestone, Kent

The Lion and Lobster, Brighton, East Sussex

The White Swan, Charlton, Greater London

Falstaff Hotel, Canterbury, Kent

The George Hotel, Ashford, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE	Not Tried	02 Oct 2015
ChrisE		29 Sep 2015
ChrisE		05 Aug 2015
ChrisE		09 Apr 2015
ChrisE	Not Tried	12 Feb 2015
ChrisE		19 Jan 2015
ChrisE		04 Nov 2013
ChrisE		15 Oct 2013

The George & Dragon, Fordwich, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William		05 Sep 2015

Wye Beer Festival 2015, Wye, Kent

The Shepherd & Crook, Burmarsh, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE		16 May 2015

Woolpack Hotel, Tenterden, Kent

The Flower Pot, Maidstone, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Dosser	Not Tried	30 Mar 2015
Dosser	Not Tried	16 Feb 2013	Ran out
Pedro	Not Tried	11 Dec 2012
Pedro	Not Tried	23 Mar 2012
Pedro		21 Dec 2011
Pedro	Not Tried	09 Oct 2011
Dosser	Not Tried	08 Oct 2011
Pedro	Not Tried	15 Dec 2010
Pedro	Not Tried	14 Dec 2010
Dosser	Not Tried	12 Dec 2010
Pedro	Not Tried	12 Dec 2010
Pedro		10 Dec 2010
Pedro	Not Tried	06 Oct 2010
Pedro	Not Tried	03 Oct 2010
Ian	Not Tried	11 Sep 2010
Alenomore	Not Tried	11 Sep 2010
Pedro	Not Tried	11 Sep 2010	ran out
Pedro		10 Sep 2010
Pedro	Not Tried	08 Sep 2010
Pedro		07 Sep 2010	Replacement
Pedro		22 May 2010	New one for me and very interesting way to start the day!

The George (formerly The Barrow House, The George Inn), Egerton, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Dosser		21 Mar 2015	Pleasant enough
Andrew	Not Tried	17 Aug 2014
Andrew	Not Tried	20 Oct 2013

Three Chimneys, Biddenden, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Wittenden		07 Mar 2015	OK Blue Top: a touch sharp.
Wittenden	Not Tried	04 Oct 2014
Wittenden	Not Tried	25 Nov 2013

The Bedford, Tunbridge Wells, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
thebrewingman		04 Feb 2015
thebrewingman	Not Tried	19 Jan 2015

The George, Aldwych, Central London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Stephen Harris		03 Dec 2014	A full-bodied, Hoppy IPA.

The George in Rye, Rye, East Sussex

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		29 Oct 2014	Just about acceptable. Very tired pint

The Plough Inn, Stalisfield Green, Kent

Blacksmiths Arms, Willesborough, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew		03 Aug 2014	Really tasty. Excellent leafy hop. Creamy.

The Butchers Arms, Herne, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		24 Jul 2014	Fine full bodied form
Mick	Not Tried	15 Jun 2013
Mick		26 Jan 2013	Nice dark bitter, perfect balance of hop and malt.
Mick	Not Tried	26 Nov 2011
Ken		12 Jun 2011	An excellent pint or two or....
Andrew		01 Jun 2011	The condition on this was superb. Great beer. Well constructed and complete in terms of it's body. Very drinkable.
Ian		27 Aug 2010	Having had this before in not great nick I was really interested how the beer would taste under Martyn's excellent cellarmanship. The hops really come through, peppery and pungent. The malts still need some work though by the brewer. Still it really was surprisingly good.

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

Bull Inn, West Malling, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Tobes		20 Apr 2014
Alenomore		15 Nov 2012	Top class. One of there best ales. (We got it early while it lasted!).
Pedro	Not Tried	15 Nov 2012	ran out
Pedro		25 Oct 2011
Pedro		02 Jul 2011

The Vine Goudhurst, Goudhurst, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
thebrewingman		16 Jan 2014

The Hop Pocket, Bossingham, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Mick	Not Tried	12 Jan 2014
Mick		10 Jan 2014	Excellent pint. Malt with balanced hops. Very drinkable.
Mick		20 Apr 2013	Peppery malt with some hops, nice.

Ye Olde Thirsty Pig, Maidstone, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
oz11	Not Tried	25 Oct 2013
Pedro		12 Aug 2013	Stayed on this till closing!
Eddie	Not Tried	25 Nov 2012

The Star, Rolvenden, Kent

The Jolly Tanners, Staplefield, West Sussex

Who	Score	When	Notes
Edbeck		26 Aug 2013	Followed an excellent pint of Harveys so may have seemed better if it was my first pint

The Bowl Inn, Hastingleigh, Kent

Halfway House, Brenchley, Kent

The Gun & Spitroast, Horsmonden, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
oz11	Not Tried	25 May 2013
oz11		04 Jun 2012	From the courtyard.
Wittenden	Not Tried	03 Jun 2012	Diamond top was on the chalk board, but not visible!

The Elephant, Faversham, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		07 May 2013

The Dirty Habit, Hollingbourne, Kent

The Door Hinge, Welling, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		06 Apr 2013	In first rate condition

The Man of Kent Ale House, Rochester, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		05 Mar 2013	Cask new on today but very hazy and more fruity than bitter I felt
ChrisE	Not Tried	12 Aug 2011

The Duck, Pett Bottom, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Mick		09 Feb 2013	Nice enough,on gravity, a bit tired perhaps.
Andrew		05 Jan 2013	Perfectly drinkable but lacking condition

The Firkin Alehouse, Folkestone, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		11 Dec 2012	A bit flat

The Red Cow, Sandwich, Kent

Stile Bridge, Marden, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Pedro		06 Dec 2012
Pedro	Not Tried	09 Feb 2012
Pedro	Not Tried	28 May 2010

The Phoenix, Canterbury, Kent

The Great Tree, Ramsgate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		22 Sep 2012	With my palate refreshed this had a full woody flavour

The Just Reproach, Deal, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Mick		15 Sep 2012	Good, full flavour with balanced hop bitterness.

The Chapel, Broadstairs, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	07 Aug 2012
Philip Pirrip		07 Aug 2012	Woody tasting - nothing like the condition of the Gold Top

Lower Bell, Blue Bell Hill, Kent

The Conqueror Alehouse, Ramsgate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		29 Jun 2012
Blair	Not Tried	05 Feb 2011

George & Dragon, Headcorn, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Pedro	Not Tried	15 Apr 2012
Pedro		12 Apr 2012

The Robin Hood, Icklesham, East Sussex

The Berry, Walmer, Kent

Railway Tavern, Staplehurst, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE		29 Sep 2011
Magnus Greel		29 Sep 2011

The Red Lion, Hernhill, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Wittenden		11 Sep 2011	A fine pint of this prize winning example of a Kentish (India) Pale Ale.At the same time, hoppy and nutty.Great stuff.

Red Lion, Snargate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
thebrewingman		02 Sep 2011

Sissinghurst Castle Smallholders Fair, Sissinghurst, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Wittenden		14 Aug 2011	A fine pint of this prize winning IPA. As Ed the brewer says, sometimes you want malt and hops,not uberhops. I could have drunk this all day.

The Hawkenbury, Hawkenbury, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Alenomore		31 Jul 2011	Old Dairys' best ale I think.
Andrew		13 Feb 2011	In good condition. Copper brown colour. Toffee and orange flavours with a nice orange-hop finish.
Alenomore	Not Tried	01 Aug 2010
Dosser		09 Jul 2010	Too many bits. Bottom of the barrel stuff.

SIBA South East Beer Festival 2011, Tonbridge, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
oz11		16 Jul 2011

Artillery Arms, Ramsgate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Blair		24 Jun 2011	Very good beer. Will always dispute it being an IPA though...
Blair		01 Jun 2011	Great beer in great condition. Still not sure it's an IPA but whatever it is it's a jolly tasty beer.

The Cock Inn, Luddesdown, Kent

The Salehurst Halt, Salehurst, East Sussex

Who	Score	When	Notes
Pedro		20 Nov 2010

The Haywain, Bramling, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Brian		25 Sep 2010	Similar to the Gold Top but with a sherbert prickle. Really good condition and my first try of Old Dairy beers, very impressed with both of them.

King George V, Brompton, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Alenomore		05 Sep 2010	Top Class.

Smallhythe Place Beer and Music Festival 2010, Smallhythe, Kent

East Malling Beer & Cider Festival 2010, East Malling, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Alenomore		04 Sep 2010	There best Ale by far.

The Swan Inn (old entry now superseded), Wittersham, Kent

Cinque Ports Arms, New Romney, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE		17 Aug 2010	hoppy pale ale.

Blakes of Dover, Dover, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE		17 Jul 2010

2nd K&ES Railway Beer Festival 2010, Tenterden, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Alenomore	Not Tried	12 Jun 2010
Martin the Mildman		12 Jun 2010	Strong copper coloured bitter with strong citrus hop flavour and some malt balance. Dryish hoppy finish. My score 15/20.

The Crown, St Michaels, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE		19 May 2010	Amber coloured, slightly sweetish, and tasty beer.