PubsandBeer
History: Home > Halfway House
Halfway House (Free House)
| Beer (sort) | Average Score (sort) | No. Samples (sort) |
|---|---|---|
| Tonbridge - Rustic |  | 3 |
| Kent - Session Pale | | 2 |
| Rother Valley - Smild | | 2 |
| Goacher's - Fine Light Ale |  | 2 |
| Canterbury Brewers - Engenious Stout | | 1 |
| Dark Star - 80 Shilling | | 1 |
| Dark Star - American Pale Ale (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | | 1 |
| Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | | 1 |
| Dark Star - The Art of Darkness | | 1 |
| Goacher's - Gold Star | | 1 |
| Ilkley - Mary Jane | | 1 |
| Long Man - Old Man | | 1 |
| Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Silver Top | | 1 |
| Rother Valley - Golden Valley Wheat Beer | | 1 |
| Rother Valley - Hoppers Ale | | 1 |
| Salopian - Shropshire Gold | | 1 |
| Skinner's - Betty Stogs Bitter | | 1 |
| Stonehenge - Sign of Spring | | 1 |
| Three Acre - West Coast Pale | | 1 |
| Tonbridge - Blonde Ambition | | 1 |
| Tonbridge - Brenchley Best | | 1 |
| Whitstable - Winkle Picker | | 1 |
| Kent - Horsmonden Pale | | 1 |
| Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Wild Hop | | 1 |
| Rother Valley - Alliance | | 1 |
| Westerham - 1965 Special Bitter Ale |  | 1 |
| Adnams - Broadside | Not Tried | 0 |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Kentish Session IPA | Not Tried | 0 |
| Cellar Head - Sub Three | Not Tried | 0 |
| Dark Star - Festival | Not Tried | 0 |
| Dark Star - Original | Not Tried | 0 |
| Dark Star - Partridge Best Bitter | Not Tried | 0 |
| Eagle (formerly Wells & Young's, formerly Charles Wells, formerly Wells) - Young's London Special (was Special) | Not Tried | 0 |
| Exmoor - Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Exmoor - Gold | Not Tried | 0 |
| Frome (formerly Milk Street) - The Usual (at one time 4.1%) | Not Tried | 0 |
| Goacher's - Best Dark Ale (aka Original) | Not Tried | 0 |
| Goacher's - Special House Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Goddards - Ale of Wight | Not Tried | 0 |
| Goddards - Scrumdiggity | Not Tried | 0 |
| Greene King - Tolly Cobbold Tolly English Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Hastings - Best Bitter | Not Tried | 0 |
| Hastings - Hastings Blonde | Not Tried | 0 |
| Hastings - Hastings Porter | Not Tried | 0 |
| Hastings - HPA | Not Tried | 0 |
| Koomor (contract brewed at Iron Pier) - Earth | Not Tried | 0 |
| Langham - Halfway to Heaven | Not Tried | 0 |
| Long Man - Best Bitter | Not Tried | 0 |
| Moorhouse's - Premier Bitter (was 3.8%) | Not Tried | 0 |
| Nelson - Admiral IPA | Not Tried | 0 |
| Nelson - Friggin in the Riggin | Not Tried | 0 |
| Nelson - Pieces of Eight | Not Tried | 0 |
| Nelson - Pursers Pussy Porter | Not Tried | 0 |
| Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Blue Top | Not Tried | 0 |
| Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Red Top | Not Tried | 0 |
| Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Spring Top | Not Tried | 0 |
| RCH - Hewish IPA | Not Tried | 0 |
| RCH - PG Steam | Not Tried | 0 |
| Rother Valley - Anniversary Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Rother Valley - Copper Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Rother Valley - Level Best | Not Tried | 0 |
| Rudgate - Battle Axe | Not Tried | 0 |
| Rudgate - Viking | Not Tried | 0 |
| St Austell - Cornish Best (was 3.5%) | Not Tried | 0 |
| Stonehenge - Pigswill | Not Tried | 0 |
| Sunny Republic - Beach Blonde | Not Tried | 0 |
| Tonbridge - Coppernob | Not Tried | 0 |
| Tonbridge - Ebony Moon | Not Tried | 0 |
| Tonbridge - Traditional | Not Tried | 0 |
| Tonbridge - Winter Solace | Not Tried | 0 |
| Tring - Jack O Legs | Not Tried | 0 |
| Tring - Side Pocket for a Toad | Not Tried | 0 |
| Triple fff - Alton's Pride | Not Tried | 0 |
| Whitstable - Bohemium Lager | Not Tried | 0 |
| Whitstable - East India Pale Ale (or EIPA) | Not Tried | 0 |
| Whitstable - Native Bitter | Not Tried | 0 |
| Whitstable - Pearl of Kent | Not Tried | 0 |
| Whitstable - Renaissance Ruby Mild | Not Tried | 0 |
Visits Details
24 Sep 2024 (Magnus Greel)
Not been to this gem of a pub since 2010 and its not changed a bit. Friendly and welcoming we chatted with the locals mulling over the area's beer scene..
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tonbridge - Brenchley Best | 4.50 | | Malty, sweet and smooth collaboration brew between the Halfway House and Tonbridge Brewery |
| Three Acre - West Coast Pale | 5.60 | | A special relationship of punchy UK & US grown hops create a blend of prominent hoppy, citrus and stone fruit in this easy drinking West Coast Pale Ale. |
| Goacher's - Fine Light Ale | 3.70 | Not Tried | |
| Goacher's - Gold Star | 5.10 | Not Tried | |
| Tonbridge - Rustic | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Kent - Session Pale | 3.70 | Not Tried | |
| Long Man - Best Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Kent - Horsmonden Pale | 4.30 | Not Tried |
29 Feb 2024 (Andrew)
Stop five. I've not been here since 2007. Ian couldn't work out what made him not love the place. Personally I think it was the write walls and ceiling - too much reflected light. But anyway, a very nice pub. No Larkins on though, which was dissappointing.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goacher's - Fine Light Ale | 3.70 | | Nice pint of light |
| Goacher's - Gold Star | 5.10 | Not Tried | |
| Tonbridge - Ebony Moon | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Tonbridge - Rustic | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Kent - Session Pale | 3.70 | Not Tried | |
| Long Man - Best Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Kentish Session IPA | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Kent - Horsmonden Pale | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Tonbridge - Brenchley Best | 4.50 | Not Tried |
29 Feb 2024 (Dosser)
Chris Excels memorial bus tour continues. My first visit and what a pub. 8 ales available all at £4.60. Great choice and such a pity its rained so much.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goacher's - Gold Star | 5.10 | | Top quality ale. |
| Kent - Horsmonden Pale | 4.30 | | Bit flattish but in reasonable condition. |
04 Oct 2022 (Jack William)
Lunchtime- meeting friends for lunch from Rochester and Brighton - aptly named for our get together. My first visit here and I was very impressed. A genuine Freehouse with a fascinating interior.
All ales from the barrel - a good traditional bitter called Brenchley Best from Tonbridge at 4.5% and a Horsmonded Pale from Kent at 4.3% also on.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kent - Session Pale | 3.70 | | |
| Goacher's - Fine Light Ale | 3.70 | Not Tried | |
| Tonbridge - Rustic | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Long Man - Best Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| St Austell - Cornish Best (was 3.5%) | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Koomor (contract brewed at Iron Pier) - Earth | 4.80 | Not Tried |
07 Oct 2018 (Wittenden)
We came to meet Anne for lunch on a pleasant October Sunday. We sat up in the snug and enjoyed our beer.Busy with drinkers and diners.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tonbridge - Rustic | 4.00 | | Farmyard,grand stuff. |
| Rother Valley - Hoppers Ale | 4.40 | | Listed as Green Hop.Resinous,Morello Cherries. Thunderingly good. |
| Goacher's - Fine Light Ale | 3.70 | | Lacked a bit of that Goacher's earthiness. |
| Kent - Session Pale | 3.70 | | Muted. |
| Goacher's - Special House Ale | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Adnams - Broadside | 4.70 | Not Tried | |
| Eagle (formerly Wells & Young's, formerly Charles Wells, formerly Wells) - Young's London Special (was Special) | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Cellar Head - Sub Three | 2.70 | Not Tried |
04 Jan 2016 (Wittenden)
A wet January Monday lunchtime,allegedly the nation's first day at work.After doing some, we met the rest of the family in an upper room, and watched the antics of a man fettling a wickerwork horse in the garden.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tonbridge - Rustic | 4.00 | | On gravity. Good dark best bitter:blackberries. |
| Goacher's - Fine Light Ale | 3.70 | Not Tried | |
| Whitstable - East India Pale Ale (or EIPA) | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Skinner's - Betty Stogs Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Langham - Halfway to Heaven | 3.50 | Not Tried | |
| Westerham - 1965 Special Bitter Ale | 4.80 | Not Tried | |
| Tonbridge - Winter Solace | 4.80 | Not Tried |
01 Sep 2013 (Wittenden)
Early evening, fleeting visit.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rother Valley - Smild | 3.80 | | Dark, dry mild with a fair amount of hops. |
| Goacher's - Fine Light Ale | 3.70 | Not Tried | |
| Skinner's - Betty Stogs Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Tonbridge - Coppernob | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Westerham - 1965 Special Bitter Ale | 4.80 | Not Tried | |
| Canterbury Brewers - Engenious Stout | 4.20 | Not Tried |
23 Aug 2013 (thebrewingman)
First day of their Bank Holiday Weekend Beer Festival. Sixty beers on the card. I have only listed the five I tried today.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salopian - Shropshire Gold | 3.80 | | |
| Rother Valley - Golden Valley Wheat Beer | 4.20 | | |
| Long Man - Old Man | 4.30 | | |
| Dark Star - 80 Shilling | 4.80 | | |
| Canterbury Brewers - Engenious Stout | 4.20 | | A super stout, nice and dry. |
25 May 2013 (oz11)
Afternoon visit for the start of the Bank Holiday beer festival. Every beer I tried was in great nick.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Star - American Pale Ale (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | 4.70 | | |
| Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | 3.40 | | |
| Stonehenge - Sign of Spring | 4.60 | | |
| Whitstable - Winkle Picker | 4.50 | | |
| Ilkley - Mary Jane | 3.50 | | |
| Tonbridge - Blonde Ambition | 4.20 | | |
| Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Silver Top | 4.50 | | |
| Tonbridge - Rustic | 4.00 | | |
| Dark Star - The Art of Darkness | 3.50 | | |
| Rother Valley - Alliance | 4.20 | | |
| Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Wild Hop | 4.00 | | |
| Goacher's - Best Dark Ale (aka Original) | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Whitstable - East India Pale Ale (or EIPA) | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Triple fff - Alton's Pride | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Rother Valley - Level Best | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Exmoor - Gold | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Tring - Side Pocket for a Toad | 3.60 | Not Tried | |
| Nelson - Friggin in the Riggin | 4.70 | Not Tried | |
| Goddards - Ale of Wight | 3.70 | Not Tried | |
| Dark Star - Festival | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Rudgate - Battle Axe | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Stonehenge - Pigswill | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| RCH - Hewish IPA | 3.60 | Not Tried | |
| RCH - PG Steam | 3.90 | Not Tried | |
| Exmoor - Ale | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Tring - Jack O Legs | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Moorhouse's - Premier Bitter (was 3.8%) | 3.70 | Not Tried | |
| Whitstable - Native Bitter | 3.70 | Not Tried | |
| Whitstable - Bohemium Lager | 4.90 | Not Tried | |
| Nelson - Pieces of Eight | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Rother Valley - Copper Ale | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Dark Star - Original | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Nelson - Pursers Pussy Porter | 4.80 | Not Tried | |
| Whitstable - Pearl of Kent | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Frome (formerly Milk Street) - The Usual (at one time 4.1%) | 4.40 | Not Tried | |
| Rudgate - Viking | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Red Top | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Goddards - Scrumdiggity | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Blue Top | 4.80 | Not Tried | |
| Whitstable - Renaissance Ruby Mild | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Dark Star - Partridge Best Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Tonbridge - Coppernob | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Spring Top | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Nelson - Admiral IPA | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Hastings - Hastings Blonde | 3.90 | Not Tried | |
| Hastings - Hastings Porter | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Sunny Republic - Beach Blonde | 3.70 | Not Tried | |
| Hastings - HPA | 4.70 | Not Tried | |
| Hastings - Best Bitter | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Tonbridge - Traditional | 3.60 | Not Tried | |
| Rother Valley - Anniversary Ale | 4.40 | Not Tried | Brewed to mark the brewery's 20th anniversary. |
24 Apr 2013 (ChrisE)
Lunch time visit, and it was good to see a fair number of people sitting at the bar drinking in a fairly isolated rural pub. Definitely a pub with food rather than a restaurant with a bar. People seemed to be surprised to discover that we had managed to get there on a bus, even though it drops you right outside the pub.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skinner's - Betty Stogs Bitter | 4.00 | | |
| Rother Valley - Smild | 3.80 | | |
| Westerham - 1965 Special Bitter Ale | 4.80 | | |
| Goacher's - Fine Light Ale | 3.70 | Not Tried | |
| Goacher's - Special House Ale | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Greene King - Tolly Cobbold Tolly English Ale | 2.80 | Not Tried | A fair price at £2 per pint. |
About the Halfway House
Summary of Beer Scores
| Total | |
|---|---|
 | 4 |
| 77 |
| 28 |
| 10 |
 | - |
The pub is found in Brenchley, Kent, TN12 7AX.
This is a beautiful pub set in the heart of the Garden of England and is in Horsmonden Road. Winner of the CAMRA Kent Pub of the Year in 2006. It has a multi-room interior with lots or wooden beams, wood floors and furniture. This is how you would expect a country pub to be, full of nooks and crannies. All real ale is served on gravity from casks behind the single wooden bar. There is a large garden at the rear. Runner up CAMRA Kent Pub of the Year 2012.
We have visited this pub 43 times, seen 169 different beers and tried 80 of them.
Postcode: TN12 7AX