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Grove Tavern (Free House)

Beer (sort)Average Score (sort)No. Samples (sort)
1648 - Smokey NolExcellent1
Brakspear (at Marston's Wychwood) - Gravity (was Bitter)Excellent1
Flying Monk - Mighty MonkGood1
Harvey's - Sussex Best BitterExcellent2
Kent - PaleExcellent1
King Beer (formerly W.J. King) - Kings Old AleExcellent1
Rother Valley - Boadicea AleGood1
Timothy Taylor - LandlordExcellent1
Marston's - Pedigree New World Pale AleNot Tried0
Rudgate - Jorvik BlondeNot Tried0
Westerham - 1965 Special Bitter AleNot Tried0
Picture 1. Grove Tavern, Tunbridge Wells, Kent

Visits Details

04 Aug 2019 (Magnus Greel)
Late afternoon to early evening very busy in this proper no frills back street locals pub. Friendly welcome from the guvnor and the locals encouraged us to stay longer than planned.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Brakspear (at Marston's Wychwood) - Gravity (was Bitter)3.40ExcellentFruity spicy and peppery dark beer in superb condition hence I had to have another to make sure.
Flying Monk - Mighty Monk4.30GoodHints of hops otherwise rather bland
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Not Tried
Timothy Taylor - Landlord4.30Not Tried
04 Dec 2015 (Stephen Harris)
A long time since I have been in here. Good locals’ atmosphere, but welcoming to strangers.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00ExcellentA superb example of this classic Bitter.
Timothy Taylor - Landlord4.30Not Tried
Westerham - 1965 Special Bitter Ale4.80Not Tried
Marston's - Pedigree New World Pale Ale3.80Not Tried
04 Feb 2015 (thebrewingman)
Third port of call. Mid afternoon and a nice fire warming the bar.
BeerABVScoreNotes
King Beer (formerly W.J. King) - Kings Old Ale4.50Excellent
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Not Tried
Timothy Taylor - Landlord4.30Not Tried
Kent - Pale4.00Not Tried
31 Jul 2012 (Martin the Mildman)
Busy with the Olympics on TV and the pool table in use.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Kent - Pale4.00ExcellentClassic pale ale with good citrus hop character balanced by a good malt base. Good citrus hop finish. My score 16/20.
26 Feb 2011 (Pedro)
Afternoon
BeerABVScoreNotes
Timothy Taylor - Landlord4.30Excellent
Rother Valley - Boadicea Ale4.50Good
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Not Tried
Rudgate - Jorvik Blonde3.80Not Tried
15 Jan 2010 (Ian)
Sat in the pub using the free wifi, this is a great pub. Friday evening with many locals in and general air of relaxing after a hard week. I sat drinking my perfectly served beer, having a wonderful time.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00ExcellentThe best bitter in Britain? Possibly. Carbonation just lets this down in the fact that it is too carbonated. Flavours and finish are awesome.
1648 - Smokey Nol4.70ExcellentVery deep ruby almost black with a disappearing beige head. Smoke and dark fruit aroma, some sour dark cherry/blackberry type fruit. Unfortunately a woman with unbelievably strong perfume has decided to stand in front of me so I can’t smell anything apart from her. Hoping she will move. Blackberry and damson aroma is excellent. Perfect condition in mouth and served perfectly. This is one of the best British smoked beers I’ve had. Stunning. Smoke and juicy dark fruits with a bit of a hop sting on finish. Stunning beer. I had just had an Orval and for something to make me feel this good, has got to be good. Maybe just a bit too juicy/watery on the malts. But still a hell of a beer.
Timothy Taylor - Landlord4.30Not Tried

About the Grove Tavern

The pub sign. Grove Tavern, Tunbridge Wells, Kent

Summary of Beer Scores

 Total
Exceptional-
Excellent7
Good2
Acceptable-
Poor-

Website.

The pub is found in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN1 1YR.

Corner pub up the hill from the old High Street/Pantiles, but still only 10 minutes from the railway station. Pool table and darts with a central wooden bar. Lots of wood in evidence. Free wifi. 3 handpumps with Harvey's Sussex Best Bitter and Timothy Taylor's Landlord as permanents with a changing guest. Website is excellent. Classic pub.

We have visited this pub 6 times, seen 11 different beers and tried 8 of them.

Map location

Postcode: TN1 1YR