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Nelson Arms (Free House)
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| Beer (sort) | Average Score (sort) | No. Samples (sort) |
|---|---|---|
| Harvey's - Old Ale (or Sussex XXXX Old Ale) |  | 2 |
| Kent - Brewers Reserve | | 1 |
| Iron Pier - West Coast IPA |  | 1 |
| Kent - Beyond the Pale | | 1 |
| Kent - Hygge | | 1 |
| Gyle 59 - Shave X Beer | | 1 |
| Rother Valley - Storm Surge | | 1 |
| Durham - Chocka Mocha Milk Stout | | 1 |
| Surrey Hills - Collusion | | 4 |
| Kent - Starry Night | | 1 |
| Kent - Swing Low | | 1 |
| Harvey's - Bonfire Boy | | 1 |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 3 | | 1 |
| Wantsum - Green Hop Ernest | | 1 |
| Iron Pier - Fruit Cake | | 1 |
| Kent - Caramel Latte | | 1 |
| Harvey's - Kiss | | 1 |
| Kent - Old Skool | | 1 |
| Rother Valley - Brew 3800 | | 1 |
| Kent - Pilgrim Single Hopped Pale Ale | | 1 |
| Dancing Duck - dcuk | | 1 |
| Orkney (Sinclair) - Raven Ale | | 1 |
| Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - ESB | | 1 |
| Musket - Flash in the Pan | | 1 |
| Harvey's - XX Dark Mild (or Sussex XX Mild) |  | 1 |
| Siren Craft - Recurring Dream | | 1 |
| Two by Two - Azacca Mosaic | | 1 |
| Saltaire - YSB | | 1 |
| Downlands (formerly South Downs) - Mister Watson's Decade | | 1 |
| Swannay (formerly Highland) - Island Hopping | | 1 |
| Rother Valley - Boadicea Ale | | 1 |
| Cerne Abbas - Tiger Tom Ruby Mild | | 1 |
| Three Legs - E S B | | 1 |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 5 | Not Tried | 0 |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Green & Gold | Not Tried | 0 |
| Purple Moose - Elderflower Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Little Critters - Turtley Tropical | Not Tried | 0 |
| Siren Craft - Memento | Not Tried | 0 |
| Hop Shed (formerly Unity Brew House) - Dual | Not Tried | 0 |
| By The Horns - Macaroon Stout | Not Tried | 0 |
| Tonbridge - Ebony Moon | Not Tried | 0 |
| Orkney (Sinclair) - Dragonhead | Not Tried | 0 |
| Brew York - Fairytale of Brew York | Not Tried | 0 |
| Kent - The Quiet American | Not Tried | 0 |
| Verdant - Penpol | Not Tried | 0 |
| Rudgate - Ruby Mild | Not Tried | 0 |
| Ilkley - Ruby Jane | Not Tried | 0 |
| Anarchy - Citra Star | Not Tried | 0 |
| Wantsum - Fortitude (was 4.2%) | Not Tried | 0 |
| Track - Sonoma | Not Tried | 0 |
| Good Chemistry - Storms Pass | Not Tried | 0 |
| Tonbridge - Traditional | Not Tried | 0 |
| Anarchy - Gold Star | Not Tried | 0 |
| Lakedown - Spring Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Kent - Valhalla | Not Tried | 0 |
| Siren Craft - Suspended in Centennial | Not Tried | 0 |
| Hop Shed (formerly Unity Brew House) - Pecking Order | Not Tried | 0 |
| Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - Gale's HSB | Not Tried | 0 |
| Downlands (formerly South Downs) - Revival | Not Tried | 0 |
| Wantsum - Black Prince | Not Tried | 0 |
| Cairngorm - Trade Winds | Not Tried | 0 |
| Tonbridge - Easy Street Pale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Orkney (Sinclair) - Red MacGregor | Not Tried | 0 |
| Wantsum - Imperium | Not Tried | 0 |
| Adnams - Old Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Kent - KGB or Kent Golding Bitter | Not Tried | 0 |
| Downlands (formerly South Downs) - Tripod IPA | Not Tried | 0 |
| Downlands (formerly South Downs) - Devils Dyke Porter | Not Tried | 0 |
| Lakedown - Kicking Donkey Best Bitter | Not Tried | 0 |
| Tonbridge - Velvet Raven | Not Tried | 0 |
Visits Details
03 Apr 2024 (Philip Pirrip)
Mid evening visit until close. Never not worth the effort of the journey here. Harvey's Easter Ale waiting in the wings to be put on tomorrow.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - ESB | 5.50 | | Just proves how good ESB can be |
| Harvey's - Old Ale (or Sussex XXXX Old Ale) | 4.30 | | Superbly balanced with lasting head and lacing |
| Kent - Beyond the Pale | 5.40 | | 4½* Exceptional with an addictive bitterness making two mandatory |
| Durham - Chocka Mocha Milk Stout | 5.50 | | A smooth stout to round the evening off |
| Anarchy - Citra Star | 4.10 | Not Tried | Came on late on |
| Good Chemistry - Storms Pass | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Lakedown - Spring Ale | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Hop Shed (formerly Unity Brew House) - Pecking Order | 3.60 | Not Tried |
27 Feb 2024 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening visit until close. Train delays to and from.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surrey Hills - Collusion | 5.20 | | Bordering on a 4½ mark |
| Kent - Swing Low | 4.00 | | Top notch condition |
| Kent - Caramel Latte | 5.20 | | Can Kent and the Nelson do no wrong tonight |
| Kent - Pilgrim Single Hopped Pale Ale | 4.50 | | Single hopper in impeccable form |
| Orkney (Sinclair) - Dragonhead | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - Gale's HSB | 4.80 | Not Tried | |
| Downlands (formerly South Downs) - Tripod IPA | 5.20 | Not Tried | |
| Verdant - Penpol | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Lakedown - Kicking Donkey Best Bitter | 4.20 | Not Tried |
21 Feb 2024 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening visit until close. It was the Swannay that was tonight's biggest seller.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 3 | 5.00 | | No 3 just as it should be |
| Harvey's - Kiss | 4.80 | | Quite floral hopping |
| Gyle 59 - Shave X Beer | 5.10 | | First rate and a good body to this |
| Swannay (formerly Highland) - Island Hopping | 3.90 | | Suspect nearing end of cask |
| Cerne Abbas - Tiger Tom Ruby Mild | 4.40 | | Basic dark mild |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 5 | 4.40 | Not Tried | |
| Purple Moose - Elderflower Ale | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Siren Craft - Memento | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| By The Horns - Macaroon Stout | 5.80 | Not Tried |
06 Feb 2024 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening visit until close. The Guv had earlier in the day taken ownership of a treasure trove chest of old CAMRA paperwork and was musing how to make it available for general viewing.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dancing Duck - dcuk | 4.30 | | Unspectacular but in excellent fettle |
| Rother Valley - Storm Surge | 5.40 | | A nourishing 5.4% stout. Good nightcapper |
| Three Legs - E S B | 5.50 | | Found this rather cloying and certainly not a clean taste |
| Cairngorm - Trade Winds | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Orkney (Sinclair) - Red MacGregor | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Adnams - Old Ale | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Kent - Brewers Reserve | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Downlands (formerly South Downs) - Tripod IPA | 5.20 | Not Tried | |
| Lakedown - Kicking Donkey Best Bitter | 4.20 | Not Tried |
19 Jan 2024 (Magnus Greel)
Mid afternoon to early evening catching up with a couple of retired colleagues, quiet upon arrival much busier upon departure our table was instantly nabbed upon vacation!
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orkney (Sinclair) - Raven Ale | 3.80 | | A pale amber ale with a fruity and spicy hop aroma, with malt flavours both biscuity and toasty. |
| Iron Pier - West Coast IPA | 5.20 | | Juicy, tropical fruit & pine hop character with resinous citusy aroma. |
| Siren Craft - Recurring Dream | 4.60 | | Creamy with rich espresso undertones |
| Two by Two - Azacca Mosaic | 4.70 | | Did not seem like a beer to me more of a hazy alcoholic tropical fruit punch.. |
| Saltaire - YSB | 5.50 | | Full bodied well rounded hoppy citrus and deep caramel fare. |
| Tonbridge - Ebony Moon | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Siren Craft - Suspended in Centennial | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Downlands (formerly South Downs) - Revival | 4.80 | Not Tried |
22 Dec 2023 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening visit until close. The hubbub of a pre-Christmas plus good Friday turnout.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kent - Brewers Reserve | 5.00 | | The very very best condition Brewers Reserve I have ever had |
| Kent - Hygge | 5.00 | | 4½* Absolutely superb condition - really should give a 5* |
| Kent - Starry Night | 4.20 | | One of a trio of 3 Kent ales in superb condition tonight |
| Iron Pier - Fruit Cake | 4.60 | | Only a half but spot on for flavour |
| Rother Valley - Brew 3800 | 3.80 | | Difficult to pick out where the flavours came from. An enigma |
| Ilkley - Ruby Jane | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Track - Sonoma | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Kent - The Quiet American | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Anarchy - Gold Star | 4.50 | Not Tried |
01 Dec 2023 (Ian)
Perfect back street boozer. Friendly. Great beer range.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harvey's - Old Ale (or Sussex XXXX Old Ale) | 4.30 | | Best I've ever had this beer |
| Downlands (formerly South Downs) - Mister Watson's Decade | 5.70 | | Lime and tangerine flavours. Hides abv well |
| Tonbridge - Ebony Moon | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Surrey Hills - Collusion | 5.20 | Not Tried | |
| Brew York - Fairytale of Brew York | 4.70 | Not Tried | |
| Kent - The Quiet American | 4.20 | Not Tried |
31 Oct 2023 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening visit until close.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harvey's - Bonfire Boy | 5.80 | | A classic example of this ale |
| Surrey Hills - Collusion | 5.20 | | Spot on |
| Harvey's - XX Dark Mild (or Sussex XX Mild) | 3.00 | | Tasted rather tinny |
| Wantsum - Imperium | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Kent - KGB or Kent Golding Bitter | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Downlands (formerly South Downs) - Devils Dyke Porter | 5.00 | Not Tried | New cask put on |
| Tonbridge - Velvet Raven | 5.20 | Not Tried | Ran out |
| Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Green & Gold | 5.40 | Not Tried | |
| Little Critters - Turtley Tropical | 5.50 | Not Tried | |
| Hop Shed (formerly Unity Brew House) - Dual | 3.60 | Not Tried |
10 Oct 2023 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening visit until close. A 37 Gang night ensured heavy footfall and fast moving ales.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Musket - Flash in the Pan | 4.00 | | A green hopper in peak condition |
| Surrey Hills - Collusion | 5.20 | | Difficult to beat an ale of this quality and in this condition |
| Rother Valley - Boadicea Ale | 4.50 | | A rather zingy golden ale |
| Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - Gale's HSB | 4.80 | Not Tried | |
| Wantsum - Black Prince | 3.90 | Not Tried | |
| Tonbridge - Easy Street Pale | 3.90 | Not Tried | |
| Kent - Valhalla | 5.00 | Not Tried |
03 Oct 2023 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening visit until close. Surprising quiet until the Guv arrived boosting numbers.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surrey Hills - Collusion | 5.20 | | First two out of a new cask put on almost at closing time. I had earlier been disappointed to find the previous cask sold out before I arrived. Superb |
| Wantsum - Green Hop Ernest | 4.20 | | A compelling bitterness came through |
| Kent - Old Skool | 4.10 | | Excellent condition but not really to my taste |
| Rudgate - Ruby Mild | 4.40 | Not Tried | |
| Wantsum - Fortitude (was 4.2%) | 4.60 | Not Tried | |
| Tonbridge - Traditional | 3.60 | Not Tried | |
| Kent - Valhalla | 5.00 | Not Tried |
About the Nelson Arms
Summary of Beer Scores
| Total | |
|---|---|
| 4 |
| 84 |
| 25 |
 | - |
 | - |
The pub is found in Tonbridge, Kent, TN9 1UP.
Beautifully refurbished side street local in Cromer Street, a few minutes walk from Tonbridge station. Features an always interesting selection of cask ales, real ciders and keg beers. Local CAMRA branch Pub of the Year 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2024. 10 handpumps plus 2 unused (dummy) ones and 10 keg taps on the back wall. Different rooms with all Nelson linked names. Massive real cider / perry range here too. CAMRA Kent (West) Pub of the Year 2023 then became CAMRA Kent Regional Pub of the Year 2023. Selected as one of the last 4 in the CAMRA National 2023 Pub of the Year competition. CAMRA Kent (West) Pub of the Year 2024 then Kent Regional Pub of the Year 2024.
We have visited this pub 32 times, seen 180 different beers and tried 88 of them.
Postcode: TN9 1UP