PubsandBeer
Maidstone's Original Beer & Hop Festival 2010 (CAMRA Beer Festival)
| Beer (sort) | Average Score (sort) | No. Samples (sort) |
|---|---|---|
| Amber Ales - Samuel Slater |  | 2 |
| Ashover - Hydro | | 1 |
| Ashover - Poets' Tipple | | 1 |
| Barlow - Carnival Ale | | 1 |
| Barlow - Heath Robinson | | 1 |
| Black Sheep - Golden Sheep | | 1 |
| Brampton - Impy Dark | | 2 |
| Buntingford - Twitchell | | 1 |
| Cambridge Moonshine (see also Moonshine) - Red Watch | | 1 |
| Derventio - Cleopatra |  | 1 |
| Moonshine (see also Cambridge Moonshine) - Black Hole Stout | | 1 |
| Moonshine (see also Cambridge Moonshine) - Budding Moon | | 1 |
| Moonshine (see also Cambridge Moonshine) - CB1 Best Bitter | | 2 |
| Moonshine (see also Cambridge Moonshine) - Nightwatch Porter | | 2 |
| Nutbrook - Banter Bitter |  | 1 |
| Shepherd Neame - Cobtree Old Ale | | 2 |
| Silver Brewhouse (formerly Raw) - Dark Peak Stout | | 2 |
| Silver Brewhouse (formerly Raw) - Grey Ghost IPA | | 1 |
| Spire - Brittainia Cream Ale | | 1 |
| Springhead - Robin Hood | | 1 |
| Tollgate - Mellow Yellow | | 1 |
| Townes - Speedwell Bitter | | 1 |
| Wychwood (now brewed at Banks's) - Bountiful | | 1 |
| Amber Ales - Original Stout | Not Tried | 0 |
| Ashover - Butts Pale Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Ashover - Rainbows End | Not Tried | 0 |
| Batemans - Thirsty Work | Not Tried | 0 |
| Blue Monkey - B G Sips | Not Tried | 0 |
| Blue Monkey - Original | Not Tried | 0 |
| Brains - Steaming Wagon | Not Tried | 0 |
| Brampton - Golden Bud | Not Tried | 0 |
| Buntingford - Highwayman IPA | Not Tried | 0 |
| Coach House - Cheshire Gold | Not Tried | 0 |
| Davenport's - Heatwave | Not Tried | 0 |
| Derventio - Emperor's Whim | Not Tried | 0 |
| Distant Hills (was Howard Town) - Dinting Arches | Not Tried | 0 |
| Distant Hills (was Howard Town) - Wren's Nest | Not Tried | 0 |
| Eagle (formerly Wells & Young's, formerly Charles Wells, formerly Wells) - Wells Eagle IPA | Not Tried | 0 |
| Everards (see entries against Joule's & Robinsons whilst its new brewery was being built) - Golden Zest | Not Tried | 0 |
| Hydes - Loose Cannon | Not Tried | 0 |
| Hydes - Summertime | Not Tried | 0 |
| Mauldons - Thomas' Tipple | Not Tried | 0 |
| Meantime - London Pale Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Milton - Dionysus | Not Tried | 0 |
| Milton - Minotaur Mild | Not Tried | 0 |
| Milton - Nero | Not Tried | 0 |
| Milton - Pegasus | Not Tried | 0 |
| Milton - Sparta | Not Tried | 0 |
| Nutbrook - Bitlyke | Not Tried | 0 |
| Peak Ales - Bakewell Best Bitter | Not Tried | 0 |
| Peak Ales - Swift Nick | Not Tried | 0 |
| Rooster's - Good Cheer | Not Tried | 0 |
| Spire - Dark Side of the Moon | Not Tried | 0 |
| Theakston - Lightfoot | Not Tried | 0 |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Jaipur | Not Tried | 0 |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Wild Swan (was 3.5%) | Not Tried | 0 |
| Titanic - Rule Britannia | Not Tried | 0 |
| Tollgate - Red Star IPA | Not Tried | 0 |
| Townes - IPA | Not Tried | 0 |
| Wirksworth - First Brew | Not Tried | 0 |
| Wirksworth - Snowfield | Not Tried | 0 |
| Wychwood (now brewed at Banks's) - Wychcraft | Not Tried | 0 |
| Wyre Piddle - Summer Splash | Not Tried | 0 |
Visits Details
12 Sep 2010 (Alenomore)
Another visit to "clean up" on some ales missed from the day before, alas, all those I needed had sold out? Ended up re-sampling most of the ales that I had on the Saturday. Must admit, condition wise on most ales I had today was ok, but, some did not taste the same as on Saturday's visit? Balmy sunny weather today though, and a good steady crowd enjoyed the accoustic musicians in the background. Second visit and, again, recommended.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shepherd Neame - Cobtree Old Ale | 4.00 | | Again, and surprisingly, it really was, that good! Had two samples today. |
| Moonshine (see also Cambridge Moonshine) - CB1 Best Bitter | 4.20 | | |
| Springhead - Robin Hood | 4.00 | | A new ale. |
| Brampton - Impy Dark | 4.30 | | Still in good nick. |
| Wychwood (now brewed at Banks's) - Bountiful | 4.00 | | |
| Silver Brewhouse (formerly Raw) - Dark Peak Stout | 4.50 | | OK, but past it's best. |
| Amber Ales - Samuel Slater | 4.20 | | This was A1 on Saturday, but nothing to taste today. |
| Nutbrook - Banter Bitter | 4.50 | | OK, but nothing special. |
| Moonshine (see also Cambridge Moonshine) - Nightwatch Porter | 4.50 | | Ok today, but not as good as yesterday? |
11 Sep 2010 (Alenomore)
As an annual visitor since 2000 (the year I started drinking real ale!) this wonderful beer festival has not changed much. £8.00 entrance fee, less £1.00 for Camra Members plus a free pint worth £2.80 = £4.20 admission?
Today, the mixed crowd was as big as ever, the main beer tent layout was much bigger and better, staffing problems were not an issue and the service was very good. All beers sampled (£2.80 p/pint) by my little crowd and myself were all in top condition. The weather could have been kinder (it didn't tip down until we left at 6) but hey, this is Blighty? And well done to the beer orderer, this year's festival had a quality beer list with several new breweries found and I also need over 25 new ales here. Will return on Sunday to clean up!
Recommended.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brampton - Impy Dark | 4.30 | | An excellant Mild, incredible amount of roasted malt flavours abound. |
| Derventio - Cleopatra | 5.00 | | |
| Silver Brewhouse (formerly Raw) - Dark Peak Stout | 4.50 | | Another superbly dark roasted ale. |
| Shepherd Neame - Cobtree Old Ale | 4.00 | | First of the day, specially brewed for Cobtree, and this was actually a spot on ale. "A taste of bygone ages brewed from four types of malt and from a blend of Fuggles and Goldings Hops, freshly picked on the day from the museum, to give it it's unique aroma and dark brown colour." |
| Amber Ales - Samuel Slater | 4.20 | | This was excellant. A "quadruple hopped American style amber ale" , no wonder it tasted so good! |
| Moonshine (see also Cambridge Moonshine) - Black Hole Stout | 5.00 | | The new name for Cambridge Moonshine Brewery. Again, superbly dark and roasted malt taste. |
| Silver Brewhouse (formerly Raw) - Grey Ghost IPA | 5.90 | | Excellant. |
| Spire - Brittainia Cream Ale | 6.40 | | Excellant. |
| Moonshine (see also Cambridge Moonshine) - Budding Moon | 4.50 | | Very gluggable! |
| Moonshine (see also Cambridge Moonshine) - Nightwatch Porter | 4.50 | | Big and Dark. |
| Townes - Speedwell Bitter | 3.90 | | |
| Cambridge Moonshine (see also Moonshine) - Red Watch | 4.50 | | |
| Black Sheep - Golden Sheep | 3.90 | | |
| Ashover - Hydro | 4.30 | | |
| Ashover - Poets' Tipple | 4.00 | | |
| Tollgate - Mellow Yellow | 4.00 | | |
| Buntingford - Twitchell | 3.80 | | |
| Barlow - Heath Robinson | 3.80 | | |
| Barlow - Carnival Ale | 4.00 | | |
| Moonshine (see also Cambridge Moonshine) - CB1 Best Bitter | 4.20 | | |
| Peak Ales - Swift Nick | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Theakston - Lightfoot | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Distant Hills (was Howard Town) - Wren's Nest | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Jaipur | 5.90 | Not Tried | |
| Milton - Minotaur Mild | 3.30 | Not Tried | |
| Milton - Pegasus | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Titanic - Rule Britannia | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Distant Hills (was Howard Town) - Dinting Arches | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Townes - IPA | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Eagle (formerly Wells & Young's, formerly Charles Wells, formerly Wells) - Wells Eagle IPA | 3.60 | Not Tried | |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Wild Swan (was 3.5%) | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Milton - Sparta | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Milton - Nero | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Milton - Dionysus | 3.60 | Not Tried | |
| Wychwood (now brewed at Banks's) - Wychcraft | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Hydes - Summertime | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Peak Ales - Bakewell Best Bitter | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Coach House - Cheshire Gold | 3.90 | Not Tried | |
| Meantime - London Pale Ale | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Spire - Dark Side of the Moon | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Everards (see entries against Joule's & Robinsons whilst its new brewery was being built) - Golden Zest | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Blue Monkey - B G Sips | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Derventio - Emperor's Whim | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Davenport's - Heatwave | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Rooster's - Good Cheer | 3.70 | Not Tried | |
| Mauldons - Thomas' Tipple | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Blue Monkey - Original | 3.60 | Not Tried | |
| Hydes - Loose Cannon | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Wyre Piddle - Summer Splash | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Brains - Steaming Wagon | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Buntingford - Highwayman IPA | 3.60 | Not Tried | |
| Amber Ales - Original Stout | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Tollgate - Red Star IPA | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Wirksworth - First Brew | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Wirksworth - Snowfield | 5.00 | Not Tried | A new brewery for me, but sadly, not available. |
| Nutbrook - Banter Bitter | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Nutbrook - Bitlyke | 4.40 | Not Tried | |
| Brampton - Golden Bud | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Ashover - Butts Pale Ale | 5.50 | Not Tried | |
| Ashover - Rainbows End | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Batemans - Thirsty Work | 4.00 | Not Tried |
About the Maidstone's Original Beer & Hop Festival 2010
Summary of Beer Scores
| Total | |
|---|---|
| 11 |
| 12 |
| 6 |
 | - |
 | - |
The pub is found in Maidstone, Kent, ME14 3AU.
Annual beer festival held at the Museum of Kent Life just off junction 6 of the M20. Museum itself is excellent to wonder around and the entrance to the museum is included in the beer festival fee. Festival itself is held in a large marquee with seating outside and a large grass area holds most of the visitors. For 2010 around 60 beers plus ciders and perry plus live music all day on two separate stages. Attracts a large proportion of families due to the museum connection. Recommended.
We have visited this pub twice, seen 63 different beers and tried 23 of them.
Postcode: ME14 3AU