Tonbridge Ebony Moon

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	11 Nov 2025
Hogan Sampling	Not Tried	11 Nov 2025
Philip Pirrip		10 Nov 2025	Tiring a tad since yesterday's
Hogan Sampling		09 Nov 2025	3rd one tried on this visit: Pleasantly surprised as was expecting something as sweet, from reading the tasting notes, as the Tonbridge special best bitter. Second day on and very good head and lacing on this East Peckham-brewed porter and described on the tasting notes as a "bittered porter". Rightly, a very dry bitter first bite. An earthy maltiness rising with the merest slither of chocolate and coffee. A hoppy note or two ably sailing onwards with a hint of dark berry and honey thanks to its Kentish hops: Northdown, Bramling Cross and Golding.
Philip Pirrip		09 Nov 2025	Good but have had this in better condition
Hogan Sampling	Not Tried	08 Nov 2025
Hogan Sampling	Not Tried	17 Sep 2024
Hogan Sampling	Not Tried	15 Sep 2024
Philip Pirrip		15 Sep 2024
Hogan Sampling		14 Sep 2024	Good head and lacing. Chocolatey mouthfeel and a lingering bitterness.
Hogan Sampling		13 Sep 2024	Still got good conditioning with it being 2nd night on for me. Chocolate hits you on first tasting and with a lovely bitterness then remaining with you.
Philip Pirrip		12 Sep 2024	Even better once decanted between 2 pint glasses to add faux condition
Hogan Sampling		12 Sep 2024	Good head and lacing. Does not overpower you with chocolatey flavours and leaves you with a bitter aftertaste and so very moreish.
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	20 Jan 2022
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	18 Jan 2022
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	28 May 2021
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	27 May 2021
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	25 May 2021
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	23 May 2021
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	22 May 2021

Larkins' Alehouse, Cranbrook, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Wittenden	Not Tried	25 Oct 2025
Wittenden		05 Oct 2024	Roasty,smokey autumnal fare.
Wittenden	Not Tried	09 Mar 2024
Wittenden		12 Jan 2019	It's been a while since I've drunk this.A delightful easy drinking 'session'Porter.

The Compass Alehouse, Gravesend, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Hogan Sampling	Not Tried	18 Oct 2025
Hogan Sampling		18 Oct 2025	Very good head and lacing presented on this East Peckham-based porter from north of Paddock Wood in Kent. A very dry malty first bite. A good bitter chocolatey and coffee-infused maltiness veering up with touches of honey layered on. A hint of dark berry fruitiness from its Kentish hops, Northdown, Bramling Cross and Golding, adding to its malty appeal sailing out.

The Furze Wren, Bexleyheath, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		26 Feb 2025	Best I had here tonight

The Haywain, Bramling, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisatSturry		03 Nov 2024	Chocolate & coffee, very nice

Claret & Ale (formerly Claret Free House), Addiscombe, Greater London

The Waterworks, Rye, East Sussex

Who	Score	When	Notes
Magnus Greel		04 Oct 2024	Malty start, rich in roasty flavours in the middle, mildly bitter and fruity finish.

Halfway House, Brenchley, Kent

The Long Pond, Eltham, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	02 Feb 2024
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	07 Oct 2022
Philip Pirrip		30 Sep 2022	Fine form
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	22 Nov 2019
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	19 Oct 2018
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	18 Oct 2018
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	17 Oct 2018
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	19 Sep 2017

Nelson Arms, Tonbridge, Kent

Copper Pottle, Beltinge, Kent

The Thomas Tallis Alehouse, Canterbury, Kent

Parkerville, Herne Bay, Kent

Yard of Ale, St Peter's, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Dosser		24 Apr 2021	Very nice pint. First porter on cask for a good 6 months

The Door Hinge, Welling, Greater London

The New Fox Inn (formerly The Windmill Inn), Willesborough, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE		09 Jan 2019	Slightly acetic.
ChrisE		10 Dec 2018
ChrisE		06 Oct 2017	One of my favourite Tonbridge beers, a superb dark ale.
ChrisE		17 Sep 2017	Good dark ale with a nice flavour of chocolate malt.

The White Swan, Charlton, Greater London

The Great Tree, Ramsgate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Dosser		18 Dec 2016

The Lanes, Dover, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE		03 Nov 2016

Furlongs Ale House, Faversham, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	21 Jan 2016
Philip Pirrip		08 Jan 2015	Flat which made it slow to drink

Bake & Alehouse, Westgate-on-Sea, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Dosser		20 Dec 2015	Another beer in great shape

Three Daws, Gravesend, Kent

The Firkin Frog, Herne Bay, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		03 Sep 2015

The Man of Kent Ale House, Rochester, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	26 Aug 2015
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	18 May 2015
Dosser		02 Apr 2015	Disappointing. Too warm and went off half way down.
Dosser		16 Nov 2014	Angie felt this wasn't as good as in the Flower Pot yesterday, but still good. Possibly the first out of the cask.
Stephen Harris	Not Tried	15 Nov 2014
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	22 Apr 2012

The Lifeboat Ale & Cider House, Margate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Vacuous	Not Tried	11 Aug 2015
thebrewingman		15 Feb 2012
Blair		27 Oct 2011	Ridiculously drinkable for a porter. Fruity with a smooth roasted malt thing going on, one of the best dark beers I've had in ages!

One Inn The Wood, Petts Wood, Greater London

The Flower Pot, Maidstone, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Dosser		30 Mar 2015
Dosser		18 Nov 2014
Tobes	Not Tried	14 Nov 2014
Tobes	Not Tried	11 Jan 2014
Tobes		10 Jan 2014
Dosser	Not Tried	25 Sep 2011
Pedro	Not Tried	21 Sep 2011
Pedro	Not Tried	21 Sep 2011
Pedro	Not Tried	19 Sep 2011
Pedro	Not Tried	17 Sep 2011
Pedro	Not Tried	17 Sep 2011
Pedro		12 Aug 2011	run out
Pedro	Not Tried	11 Aug 2011
Pedro	Not Tried	10 Aug 2011
Pedro	Not Tried	09 Aug 2011
Pedro		09 Aug 2011
Pedro		08 Aug 2011
Pedro		06 Aug 2011
Pedro		05 Aug 2011
Pedro		13 May 2011
Dosser	Not Tried	11 May 2011
Dosser		27 Mar 2011	Smokey dark flavours
Pedro		27 Mar 2011
Pedro	Not Tried	10 Feb 2011	ran out
Pedro	Not Tried	06 Feb 2011
Pedro		05 Feb 2011
Angie	Not Tried	10 Jan 2011
Dosser	Not Tried	20 Dec 2010
Pedro	Not Tried	18 Dec 2010
Pedro	Not Tried	15 Dec 2010
Pedro		24 Nov 2010
Dosser	Not Tried	22 Nov 2010
Pedro		21 Nov 2010

Two Sawyers, Canterbury, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William	Not Tried	22 Nov 2014
Jack William		08 Nov 2014	think this may have been in the pipe a while - no others drinking it - bit flat but nice chocalatey overtones..

Leyton Orient Supporters Club, Leyton, Greater London

Orpington Liberal Club, Orpington, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
oz11	Not Tried	21 Feb 2014
oz11		01 Dec 2012	Replaced the Adnams.

The Firkin Alehouse, Folkestone, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE		27 Nov 2013

The Chequers, Laddingford, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Pedro		12 Feb 2012
Pedro	Not Tried	11 Feb 2012

1st Spa Valley Railway Beer Festival, Tunbridge Wells, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Alenomore		22 Oct 2011	A very nice Porter to start the day. On at West Station.

The Padwell Arms, Seal, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Martin the Mildman		25 Aug 2011	This sample is probably the best I have had yet, more smooth and well rounded with a sweeter malt profile making it more like a "mild porter". My score 16/20.
Sessionstar		25 Aug 2011	Im not a regular mild drinker but I love my porter. This neither. It is a half way house , but it is delicious. Big and malty with some chocolate malt flavours and a good hoppy bitterness. personally id have given it top marks if it had a little more body but this is my personal opinion. Great to see a dark beer on that is not guiness too !

Sissinghurst Castle Smallholders Fair, Sissinghurst, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Wittenden		14 Aug 2011	Almost as good as yesterday.My kind of beer-dark and luscious.
Wittenden		13 Aug 2011	A lovely dark,malty bitterish porter. Great stuff

Kent Beer Festival 2011, Canterbury, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew		22 Jul 2011	Roasted smoky sandalwood. Hint of raspberry. Dark colour.
Mick		21 Jul 2011	unremarkable but nice enough.

Rose & Crown, Halstead, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Martin the Mildman		05 May 2011	Shown as 4.2% on pumpclip. A fairly hoppy and bitter porter with some malt character. Dryish and bitter finish. My score 15/20.

The Three Mariners, Hythe, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE		30 Jan 2011	Wow, this was amazing. The landlord described it as a mild, but it was definitely a porter. A superb good quality dark full bodied beer.
Ian		30 Jan 2011	Best beer I had all day. Lovely dark beer. Great dried fruits on the finish

North Pole, Wateringbury, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Pedro		20 Jan 2011	Superb!

The Crown, Otford, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Pedro		08 Oct 2010