Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) The Wife of Bath's Ale

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.

Bell & Crown, Canterbury, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Magnus Greel		03 Oct 2026	A crisp, spicy golden bitter with grapefruit and citrus hops and a long dry finish.
Andrew		12 Sep 2026	Originally we started on Canterbury Ales "Owens Court Gold" but when the barrel ran out, the staff realised that the pump clip hadn't been changed and we'd actually been drinking Wife of Bath! The new barrel was Wife and Bath too!
Andrew		18 Jul 2026	Back to its true form
Andrew		11 Jun 2026	Quaffable
Magnus Greel	Not Tried	14 Jul 2021
Jack William	Not Tried	22 Dec 2019
Andrew		05 Dec 2019
Andrew		03 Sep 2019	Fresh.
Jack William	Not Tried	08 Dec 2017
Andrew		20 Nov 2017
Andrew		14 Nov 2017	Ah the Wife.
Andrew		03 Nov 2017	Yummy yum yum
Andrew		21 Jul 2017	Lovely stuff
Andrew		05 May 2017	Superb
Andrew		28 Apr 2017	This is just brilliant. I love this beer.
Andrew		12 Apr 2017	Just stunning stuff
Jack William	Not Tried	19 Feb 2017
Andrew		18 Feb 2017	Top notch stuff
Andrew		08 Feb 2017	Really nice.
Andrew		21 Dec 2016	They've got a new pump clip. Touch haxy but lovely citrus pineapple toastiness.
Andrew		10 Oct 2015	Top stuff. Had 3 pints. All too warm
Andrew		31 Aug 2013	Man this is good. Ah man this is good. It's a meal in a pint.
Andrew		02 Aug 2013	Excellent condition; excellent temperature; excellent beer. I just love the astringent peanut-grapefruit flavours in this beer. ...and all at 3.9%.
Andrew		23 Jul 2013	Ah the Wife. Good condition but if I were really picky it was a degree too warm. Still, it's a great beer.
Andrew		08 Feb 2013	Just the right temperature. Stunning leafy, grapefruit hop and subtle malt combination. Just such a great beer.
Eddie		06 Oct 2012	Stunning :)
Andrew		15 Sep 2012	Excellent beer this but served too warm again. Ian's pint of Dr Sunshine was about 4 degrees colder than mine. Drop the temperature and it would have been outstanding.
Blair		30 Jun 2012	Earthy bitter, very nice.
Andrew		29 Jun 2012	Very drinkable. Hint more grapefruit and it would have been perfect.
oz11		25 Feb 2012
Andrew		04 Feb 2012	Stunning, as you'd expect from this stunner.
Andrew	Not Tried	27 Jan 2012
Andrew		13 Jan 2012	Superb beer. Less toasted-nut today (which was a shame) and more juicy-fruits in the grapefruit hop bite (which was different).
Andrew		06 Jan 2012	Awesome beer served just right. Really, this is in my top 5 beers.
Andrew		24 Dec 2011	An excellent beer served just a few degrees too warm. Shame.
Blair		19 Dec 2011	Finally I can see what everyone has been raving about, the last couple of times I've tried this it's been far inferior. Really drinkable, fruity ale.
Andrew	Not Tried	29 Nov 2011	Moral of story, trust your instincts
Andrew		18 Nov 2011	A degree or 2 too warm but still outstanding.
Andrew		04 Nov 2011	This would have been outstanding if it wasn't for it being served far too warm. Real shame.
Andrew		30 Sep 2011	Ever been out on a boiling hot day and gone for a swim? You know that feeling after you've been in the water for about 5 minutes and the initial shock of the cold has past and you've nearly cooled down? Well this beer is the drinking equivalent of that. Just superb.
Andrew		19 Aug 2011	A touch too warm but wow this is a great beer. It seems to me to be a cross between and old fashioned Best Bitter and a modern Mid Atlantic Pale Ale. I've tried a few beer that have attempted this combination of styles but none have been as brilliantly good as "The Wife".
Andrew		22 Jul 2011	Can't remember a whole lot about this after having been to the beer festival but I do remember it being excellent.
Andrew		13 Jul 2011	Maybe this was just very fresh but the grapefruit hop was very pronounced and drowned out the other flavours I usually find in this fantastic beer. Still very good (and in excellent condition). I hope the recipe hasn't been changed!!!
Blair	Not Tried	19 Jun 2011
Ian		11 Jun 2011	Of all the new Kent beers I think this is my favourite along with Tonbridge Blonde Ambition. Really tasty citrus hops great stunning condition and all for 3.8% abv
Andrew		11 Jun 2011	Ha ha, this was laughingly good. Really, I did laugh when I took my first sip of this. Man this is great. The fruit, hops and malt in this are just brilliant. Ha ha ha.
Andrew		05 May 2011	Outstanding session bitter
Blair		13 Apr 2011	Fruity, a little yeasty. Kind of had a homebrew flavour going on.
Andrew		09 Apr 2011	Had the last pint out and one of the first pints of the new barrel. Both were superb.
Andrew		16 Mar 2011	The condition on this was superb and the flavours unbeatable; earthy hop, lemon rind and just so quaffable. If only all session beers were this good.
Brian	Not Tried	15 Mar 2011
Andrew		11 Feb 2011	Deep golden colour but light. Lemon rind flavours with some toasted peanut. Really good stuff.
Ian		01 Feb 2011	Best beer of the evening. Lightish bitter, but full in mouth, good hop flavours on end. Really interesting drinkable beer.

The Door Hinge, Welling, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		11 Apr 2026	Good bitterness prevailed
Philip Pirrip		04 Apr 2023	A basic bitter on good form
Philip Pirrip		29 Oct 2019
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	21 Dec 2018

The South Park Tap, Sevenoaks, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Hogan Sampling		14 Mar 2026	3rd beer of this visit: Came with very good head and plenty of lacing lasting all the way on this American-style session golden bitter from Chartham, south-west of Canterbury, Kent. A fruity-sweet first bite. A hoppy citrusy bitterness rising from its US hops with floral and herbal notes all clocking in with flavours of grapefruit, lemon and lime. A gentle maltiness climbing up with hints of marmalade from its malted barley. A good dose of hoppy fruitiness lingering on the slide downwards. Perfectly presented and in top condition.

Red Lion, Snargate, Kent

The Haywain, Bramling, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William		18 Dec 2025	Lovely condition. Reminded me of Summer days on the terrace.
Jack William		18 Jan 2024	Couldn’t fault it.
Jack William		05 Oct 2022	Spot on.

The Hoptimist Taproom & Bar, Dover, Kent

The River Ale House, East Greenwich, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		13 Oct 2025	Basic stuff
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	12 Oct 2025
Hogan Sampling	Not Tried	12 Oct 2025
Hogan Sampling		11 Oct 2025	Fresh on was this golden ale brewed south-west of Canterbury and just outside Chartham. Head and lacing, good, but not lasting. A fruited first bite. A hint of citrus and grapefruit from its hops rising with a dry bitterness winning over and sailing out.
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	09 Jul 2025
Hogan Sampling	Not Tried	08 Jul 2025
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	07 Jul 2025
Hogan Sampling	Not Tried	06 Jul 2025
Philip Pirrip		06 Jul 2025	Basic citrus with little life
Hogan Sampling	Not Tried	05 Jul 2025
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	31 Oct 2024
Hogan Sampling	Not Tried	31 Oct 2024
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	30 Oct 2024
Hogan Sampling	Not Tried	29 Oct 2024
Hogan Sampling	Not Tried	27 Oct 2024
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	27 Oct 2024
Hogan Sampling	Not Tried	26 Oct 2024
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	15 Feb 2024
Philip Pirrip		03 Dec 2023	Awful, no off flavours but totally unappetisingly flat and flavourless. Half went back down the sink
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	14 Sep 2023	Ran out
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	10 Sep 2023
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	19 Oct 2022
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	18 Oct 2022
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	11 Aug 2022
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	23 Sep 2021
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	22 Sep 2021
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	20 Sep 2021
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	18 Jun 2021
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	17 Jun 2021
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	25 May 2021
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	23 May 2021
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	08 Aug 2019
Philip Pirrip		03 Dec 2017	Nearing the emptying of the cask

Larkins' Alehouse, Cranbrook, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Wittenden		09 Aug 2025	Less zesty than I recollect.
Wittenden	Not Tried	26 Aug 2023
Wittenden		25 Sep 2021	Lacking its (her?) normal zest.
Wittenden		17 Aug 2019	Grapefruit,new mown hay,a stunner.

The Brickfield Micropub, Swalecliffe, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William		10 Jul 2025	Full bodied and in top condition.

The Plough, Basted, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Hogan Sampling		10 May 2025	Came with good head and lacing and lasting on this Canterbury golden bitter. A hoppy first hit. A fruity bitterness rising up on the taste buds and a grapefruit and citrus-infused hoppiness lingering. Very refreshing and following my walk along many a footpath from Borough Green and its café close to the station.
Hogan Sampling	Not Tried	10 May 2025

Copper Pottle, Beltinge, Kent

Earl of Clarendon, Sandgate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Magnus Greel		10 Dec 2024	Dark fruits with a hippy dry kick.

This Ancient Boro', Tenterden, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Wittenden		12 Apr 2024	All the qualities there, but sadly past its best.

Carpenters Arms, Coldred, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William	Not Tried	13 Mar 2024
Jack William		20 Feb 2022	Full bodied Amber ale in good nick.

Louis Armstrong, Dover, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Magnus Greel		05 Mar 2024	Fruity malty hoppy and floral complex fare.

Matches, Ashford, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Magnus Greel		18 Jul 2023	The solitary handpump in a sea of designer 'craft beers' was well looked after and didn't disappoint. I had to have another to make sure - at just £3.50 per pint am sure would appeal to the thrifty minded!

Furlongs Ale House, Faversham, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William	Not Tried	11 Feb 2023
Archie14		19 Jun 2021	Nice soft floral notes with hint of citrus
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	13 Dec 2018
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	12 Oct 2017
Magnus Greel	Not Tried	01 Oct 2016

The Crown Inn, Finglesham, Kent

The Barn, Woolton Farm, Bekesbourne, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William		04 Sep 2022	A bit lifeless

Bowl Inn, Charing, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew		29 Aug 2022	She poured some off before serving mine (top marks for that) and this was a great pint - if a touch too warm.

The Pub Herne Bay, Herne Bay, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew		18 Jan 2022

Thomas Becket, Canterbury, Kent

The Unicorn, Canterbury, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Archie14		30 Sep 2021

The Vineyard, Sittingbourne, Kent

The Man of Kent Ale House, Rochester, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Archie14		20 Dec 2019	Great condition
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	27 May 2019
Stephen Harris	Not Tried	29 Apr 2012

The Mole Hole, Gravesend, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Magnus Greel		07 Dec 2019	Peaty earthy hoppy ale

The Broken Drum, Blackfen, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	02 Dec 2019
Philip Pirrip		02 Jul 2019	New cask on, good but a little fresh
Philip Pirrip		12 Sep 2016

A New Day Festival 2019, Mount Ephraim, Hernhill, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew		03 Aug 2019

The Little Boozer (formerly A Y's Man), Sheerness, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE	Not Tried	08 Nov 2018
Philip Pirrip		08 Nov 2018

The Pilot, Maidstone, Kent

Two Sawyers, Woolage Green, Kent

The Long Pond, Eltham, Greater London

Shipwrights Arms, Faversham, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William		03 Aug 2017	A bit whiffy and flat. Near the end of the barrel by the tilt on the stillage.

The Rose & Crown, Mundy Bois, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William		30 Jul 2017

Parkerville, Herne Bay, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew		27 Jun 2017	Gravity. Good Wife.

The Lanes, Dover, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William		11 May 2017	Bit bland after the Hop Contract.
ChrisE	Not Tried	28 Jan 2016
Ian		07 Feb 2015	Sherbert hop aroma. Good light golden ale. Hoppy finish. Excellent.

The Bouncing Barrel, Herne Bay, Kent

The Black Robin, Kingston, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Mick		01 Jul 2016	OK

The George Hotel, Ashford, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE		02 Oct 2015

Sun Hotel & The Little Inn, Canterbury, Kent

The Handsome Sam, Whitstable, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		20 Nov 2014	In good form

The Tickled Trout, Wye, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Trevor	Not Tried	29 Sep 2014
Trevor		08 Sep 2014
Andrew		08 Aug 2014	Ah the wife!
Jack William		31 May 2014	Very drinkable blonde beer in good condition - not memorable taste-wise (a bit bland?)
Trevor	Not Tried	16 Apr 2014	Unavailable
Andrew		12 Apr 2014	One of my favourite beers of all time. A touch fresh (or maybe under blanket pressure?).

The Red Lion, Hernhill, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew		06 Sep 2014	Excellent condition. Strong grapefruit bitterness.

Harbour Arms, Margate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE	Not Tried	06 Aug 2014
ChrisE		24 Mar 2014	The best of this that I have had for a long time.

The Plough Inn, Stalisfield Green, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Wittenden		12 Jul 2014	I'd been waiting to try this beer for ages:golden,marmaladey ardent hops.Long bitter finish.Grand condition.

Kipps' Alehouse, Folkestone, Kent

Cherry Tree, Canterbury, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew		15 Sep 2013	Cloudy and no condition. Shame that such a good beer was not on form. I didn't bother drinking it.

The Pullman, Folkestone, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE		06 Aug 2013	A little bit sour.

Farriers Arms, Mersham, Kent

Bake & Alehouse, Westgate-on-Sea, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		28 Jun 2013

5th K&ES Railway Beer Festival 2013, Tenterden, Kent

The Flower Pot, Maidstone, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Pedro	Not Tried	14 Oct 2012
Pedro	Not Tried	12 Oct 2012
Pedro	Not Tried	01 Jun 2012
Pedro	Not Tried	30 May 2012
Pedro	Not Tried	29 Mar 2012
Pedro	Not Tried	28 Mar 2012
Pedro	Not Tried	28 Mar 2012
Pedro	Not Tried	12 Dec 2011
Pedro		11 Dec 2011
Pedro	Not Tried	10 Dec 2011
Pedro	Not Tried	09 Dec 2011
Alenomore		09 Dec 2011	Pretty good.
Pedro		09 Oct 2011
Dosser	Not Tried	08 Oct 2011

The Royal Oak, Mersham, Kent

Lower Bell, Blue Bell Hill, Kent

The Dirty Habit, Hollingbourne, Kent

Plough & Harrow, Oad Street, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Pedro		07 Apr 2012

Six Bells, Woodchurch, Kent

Leas Lift Beer Festival, Folkestone, Kent

Kent Beer Festival 2011, Canterbury, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
oz11		23 Jul 2011
Alenomore		22 Jul 2011
Mick		21 Jul 2011	Nice beer, good citrus and a nice finish.

The Foundry Brew Pub, Canterbury, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew	Not Tried	22 Jul 2011
Blair	Not Tried	12 Jul 2011
Andrew	Not Tried	12 Jul 2011
Blair		19 Jun 2011	Nope I simply don't like this beer. Still, lifeless and boring. Not my cup of tea.
Mick		16 Jun 2011	Nice pint, top notch bitter.
ChrisE	Not Tried	13 Jun 2011
Andrew		11 Jun 2011	Nice pint of the Wife.

The Three Mariners, Hythe, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Ian		28 May 2011	I love the grassy citrus hops on thos beer

City Arms, Canterbury, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew	Not Tried	25 May 2011
Martin the Mildman		26 Mar 2011	A good quaffing bitter, malt and hop flavours well balanced. Finish is hoppy. My score 15/20.

The Conqueror Alehouse, Ramsgate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE		22 Mar 2011	My first pint from Canterbury Ales, so I was looking forward to this, and I was not disappointed. A golden, lemon zesty beer. Very drinkable.