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Rifle Volunteers (Goacher's)

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Beer (sort)Average Score (sort)No. Samples (sort)
Goacher's - Best Dark Ale (aka Original)Exceptional2
Goacher's - Gold StarExceptional2
Goacher's - 1066 Old AleExcellent2
Goacher's - Real Mild AleExcellent8
Goacher's - Fine Light AleExcellent10
Goacher's - Crown Imperial StoutExcellent7
Goacher's - Silver StarNot Tried0
Picture 1. Rifle Volunteers, Maidstone, Kent
Picture 2. Rifle Volunteers, Maidstone, Kent
Picture 3. Rifle Volunteers, Maidstone, Kent
Michael Croxford

Visits Details

22 Jun 2024 (Andrew)
The Ashford beer tour was cancelled because the bus driver didn't turn up. So we came here instead.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Goacher's - Best Dark Ale (aka Original)4.10ExceptionalReally top notch stuff
Goacher's - Gold Star5.10ExceptionalThe freshness and floweriness on this is outstanding. This was just superb.
Goacher's - Fine Light Ale3.70GoodNice fresh light
Goacher's - Real Mild Ale3.40PoorServed in very good condition but it had diacetyl (a rich butter flavour) that I believe is a brewing fault. Shame as it's usually superb
29 Feb 2024 (Magnus Greel)
Six of us arrived for lunchtime opening soon to be joined by many others to raise a glass to Chris Excell on what would've been his 19th birthday in one of his longtime favourite pubs.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Goacher's - Real Mild Ale3.40Excellent
Goacher's - Fine Light Ale3.70Excellent
Goacher's - Crown Imperial Stout4.50Excellent
Goacher's - Gold Star5.10Not Tried
01 Mar 2023 (Magnus Greel)
Evening not too busy, our group of five joined in with a few locals to raise a glass or two in honour of ChrisE who would've celebrated his 75th birthday today, or yesterday had it been a leap year!
BeerABVScoreNotes
Goacher's - Fine Light Ale3.70ExceptionalOutstanding in all aspects, an absolute joy to drink..
Goacher's - Crown Imperial Stout4.50ExceptionalDitto my Fine Light entry..
Goacher's - Real Mild Ale3.40Not Tried
Goacher's - Silver Star4.20Not Tried
02 Dec 2022 (Andrew)
Very busy, which is always good to see. By the time we left, people had to stand to get in.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Goacher's - Crown Imperial Stout4.50ExceptionalIn cracking form.
Goacher's - Real Mild Ale3.40AcceptablePerhaps nearing the bottom of the barrel
Goacher's - Fine Light Ale3.70AcceptableStrangely cardboard tasting.
Goacher's - Gold Star5.10Not Tried
24 Nov 2022 (Magnus Greel)
My first opportunity to raise a glass in honour of ChrisE, a close friend and major contributor to this site who sadly passed away on Monday. He loved this pub and despite changes of ownership over the past few years it never lost its appeal. He even found himself the 'wrong side' of the bar when he used to cover for Alan & Wendy while away on their holidays, aptly seen in such role in the above photo. RIP Chris, you will be sadly missed by many...
BeerABVScoreNotes
Goacher's - Fine Light Ale3.70ExcellentThe earthy sweet bitterness didn't disappoint.
Goacher's - Crown Imperial Stout4.50ExcellentA feast of a liquidised Sunday roast beef dinner.
Goacher's - Real Mild Ale3.40Not Tried
Goacher's - Gold Star5.10Not Tried
02 Sep 2022 (Andrew)
I think it was seven years since I was last here, and nothing has changed, except the garden (which is much better). Great pub, and the beer quality was superb.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Goacher's - Real Mild Ale3.40ExceptionalBrilliant
Goacher's - Fine Light Ale3.70ExceptionalStunning
Goacher's - Best Dark Ale (aka Original)4.10ExceptionalWonderful
Goacher's - Gold Star5.10ExceptionalCracking
01 Apr 2022 (ChrisE)
A busy Friday afternoon.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Goacher's - Real Mild Ale3.40Excellent
Goacher's - Fine Light Ale3.70Excellent
Goacher's - Crown Imperial Stout4.50Not Tried
Goacher's - Gold Star5.10Not Tried
11 Feb 2022 (ChrisE)
Very busy for most of the afternoon. A good friendly crowd of people.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Goacher's - Real Mild Ale3.40ExcellentNot just excellent, but good value at £3 per pint.
Goacher's - Fine Light Ale3.70Excellent
Goacher's - Crown Imperial Stout4.50Excellent
Goacher's - Gold Star5.10Not Tried
28 Dec 2021 (ChrisE)
Very busy Tuesday afternoon, full of MUFC fans having a few beers before the 3pm kick off for the match against Welling. We stayed for an extra hour and a bit before catching a bus to Ashford. I reminisced about one of my recent visits when MUFC were playing MUFC (Maidstone United v Maidenhead United).
BeerABVScoreNotes
Goacher's - Real Mild Ale3.40Excellent
Goacher's - Fine Light Ale3.70Excellent
Goacher's - Crown Imperial Stout4.50Excellent
Goacher's - 1066 Old Ale6.70ExcellentOn gravity dispense.
Goacher's - Gold Star5.10Not Tried
23 Dec 2021 (ChrisE)
Thursday afternoon with a good crowd of regular customers. It was a pleasant surprise to see the 1066 Old Ale on the bar.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Goacher's - Real Mild Ale3.40ExcellentIn top condition and good value at £3 per pint.
Goacher's - Fine Light Ale3.70Excellent
Goacher's - Crown Imperial Stout4.50Excellent
Goacher's - 1066 Old Ale6.70ExcellentOn gravity dispense.
Goacher's - Gold Star5.10Not Tried

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About the Rifle Volunteers

The pub sign. Rifle Volunteers, Maidstone, Kent

Summary of Beer Scores

 Total
Exceptional273
Excellent602
Good107
Acceptable22
Poor7

Website.

The pub is found in Maidstone, Kent, ME14 1EU.

In Wyatt Street, one of three Goacher's tied pubs. Décor has not been updated for some time, but that adds to the joy of this quiet pub. Light, Mild and Stout on regularly. If you like Goacher's, then come here. Also, if you like a quiet pub with no airs or graces that serves well crafted beers then this is your place. The long standing licensee of nearly 37 years (Alan) left in late February 2015 bringing a phase of the pub to an end. Pub closed for a week then re-opened under new tenants, Matt and Gina who were themselves replaced by Alex and Polly in February 2018. The 3 original handpumps have now become 4. Secluded rear garden. Local CAMRA branch Pub of the Year 2016, CAMRA West Kent Pub of the Year 2016, CAMRA Kent Pub of the Year 2016.

We have visited this pub 595 times, seen 11 different beers and tried them all.

Map location

Postcode: ME14 1EU