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Jolly Farmer (Free House)
| Beer (sort) | Average Score (sort) | No. Samples (sort) |
|---|---|---|
| Bowman - Quiver Bitter |  | 1 |
| Bowman - Yumi | | 1 |
| Burton Bridge - Dark Shield |  | 1 |
| Crafty Brewing - Grumpsters Best Bitter | | 1 |
| Crafty Brewing - Hop Tipple | Not Tried | 0 |
| Leatherbritches - Bad Boy | Not Tried | 0 |
Visits Details
05 Apr 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
My first visit following a recommendation to try real ale around Guildford. It came up on page 4 of CAMRA's WhatPub search for Guildford and "real ale available". It is actually 3 miles from the centre of Guildford but just 2 miles from Shalford railway station. From London Bridge, you can change at Redhill for Shalford. A very pleasant walk from the station via mostly a footpath after proceeding along Chinthurst Lane, turning right into Poplar Road, and then left into Horsham Road and after passing the turning into Somerswey on your left, taking the cycle/footpath on your left marked with a bicycle and the number 22 underneath it. This takes you along the river most of the way and then brings you out at Bramley and Wonersh Station which closed in June 1965. On passing the platform, you turn right into Station Road and then left into Horsham Road, as shown on Google Maps, and this stretch is physically signposted the High Street. The Jolly Farmer is just some 200 feet along on the opposite side of the road. The pub's website tells you it is an independent and passionate about real ale, pointing out they have a changing selection of up to 8 real ales, sourced from breweries big and small. It had 6 cask on at first on my visit but one just went off upon ordering it. The place looks just the part with hanging tankards, old pictures and drink-related advertising signs galore and its ceilings covered with beer-mats. It has a long L-shaped bar and is open all day everyday, also serving food lunchtime and evenings most days. The food I did see from others tucking in looked delicious but my main aim was to sample at least 4 of their real ales. A very friendly and prompt service was provided by one of the two landlords and for my early afternoon visit alongside a fellow real ale enthusiast. This 400-year-old inn was not overly busy so affording some banter with the governor and his customers mostly positioned at the bar.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burton Bridge - Dark Shield | 5.60 | | This dark English IPA from Burton Bridge, which merged with Heritage Brewing Company in Burton on Trent in April 2024, came with wonderful head and lacing that lasted to the end. Described by the landlord who was serving as a one-off brew and inspired by the Worthington White Shield, it came with great head and lacing that lived to the very end. It had a mildly sweetish malty but dry first hit from just traditional English hops used. You could really taste the maltiness aided by treacle-like flavourings coming at you. A moreish bitterness presented itself in the mouthfeel with perhaps a hint of chocolatey biscuit-infused flavourings mixed in. A pleasantly dry malty finish proved to be long-lasting in its very moreish aftertaste. |
| Bowman - Quiver Bitter | 4.50 | | My third sampling of this visit was another offering from the Droxford-based brewery, north of Portsmouth. Very good head and lacing once again and holding throughout. A dry bittery first hit. This was followed by a hoppy mouthfeel and an ever so slightly sweet touch from a hint of caramel in the flavouring. A dry bitterness then lingered. |
| Bowman - Yumi | 3.90 | | This session bitter from Bowman Ales at Droxford, north of Portsmouth, was the second real ale of my visit and it came with also great head and lacing and which it kept throughout. A single hopped ale and amber in appearance, it had a dry hoppy first hit. A powerfully punchy hoppy and bitter mouthfeel followed and a long-lasting dryness persisted into its aftertaste. Very moreish and refreshing. |
| Crafty Brewing - Grumpsters Best Bitter | 3.90 | | I cannot recall trying a Crafty Brewing ale before. Based at Thatched House Farm, Dunsfold Road, Loxhill, Godalming, it came with extremely impressive head and lacing which lasted throughout. My first sampling on this visit and a very dry bitter first hit which was very thirst-quenching after the walk from Shalford in the bright early afternoon sunshine but suitably shaded by the mostly woodland walk along the river known as the Cranleigh Waters (also referred to as the Bramley Wey), and which is a tributary of the River Wey. The first bluebells I have seen this year were also in evidence along the delightful walk to the Jolly Farmer. A very dryish bitter mouthfeel came to the fore and a touch of maltiness and dry hoppiness lingered. I could not fault it. It was neither sweet nor thin in flavouring which I hate in bitters. Would not hesitate to sample it again! |
| Crafty Brewing - Hop Tipple | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Leatherbritches - Bad Boy | 4.60 | Not Tried | This would have been my third sampling. Sadly this hoppy amber ale from south-east of Burton upon Trent just ran out on me on asking for it. The governor told me it was one of his favourites and so he was not going to waste the bit of sediment-based juice he had managed to pull through and so put this aside for himself. |
About the Jolly Farmer
Summary of Beer Scores
| Total | |
|---|---|
| 1 |
| 3 |
 | - |
 | - |
 | - |
The pub is found in Bramley, Surrey, GU5 0HB.
In High Street, decorated with oak beams, farm tools and old brasses, this pub has an excellent reputation for cask ales.
We have visited this pub once, seen 6 different beers and tried 4 of them.
Postcode: GU5 0HB