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Nelson Arms (Free House)
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| Beer (sort) | Average Score (sort) | No. Samples (sort) |
|---|---|---|
| Kent - Brewers Reserve |  | 1 |
| Harvey's - Kiss |  | 1 |
| Durham - Chocka Mocha Milk Stout | | 1 |
| Kent - Galaxy | | 1 |
| Rother Valley - Brew 3800 | | 1 |
| Kent - Caramel Latte | | 1 |
| Dancing Duck - dcuk | | 1 |
| Rother Valley - Anthem | | 1 |
| Cerne Abbas - Danny's Brew | | 1 |
| Orkney (Sinclair) - Raven Ale | | 1 |
| Kent - Pilgrim Single Hopped Pale Ale | | 1 |
| Larkins - Porter | | 1 |
| Lakedown - Harmonium | | 1 |
| Rother Valley - 50 (CAMRA SE Sussex Branch 1974-2024) | | 1 |
| Iron Pier - West Coast IPA | | 1 |
| Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - ESB | | 1 |
| Kent - Hygge | | 1 |
| Gyle 59 - Shave X Beer | | 1 |
| Rother Valley - Storm Surge | | 1 |
| Harvey's - Old Ale (or Sussex XXXX Old Ale) | | 1 |
| Kent - Maia | | 2 |
| Kent - Starry Night | | 1 |
| Surrey Hills - Collusion | | 2 |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 3 | | 1 |
| Kent - Beyond the Pale | | 1 |
| Downlands (formerly South Downs) - Evening Star Revival APA | | 1 |
| Iron Pier - Fruit Cake | | 1 |
| Kent - Swing Low | | 1 |
| New Bristol - Bristol Bitter |  | 1 |
| Saltaire - YSB | | 1 |
| Swannay (formerly Highland) - Island Hopping | | 1 |
| Kent - Vista | | 1 |
| Cerne Abbas - Tiger Tom Ruby Mild | | 1 |
| Three Legs - E S B | | 1 |
| Bradfield - Farmers Cherry Beer | | 1 |
| Rother Valley - Hoppers Ale | | 1 |
| Siren Craft - Recurring Dream | | 1 |
| Kent - Born To Be Mild | | 1 |
| Two by Two - Azacca Mosaic | | 1 |
| Downlands (formerly South Downs) - Tripod IPA | Not Tried | 0 |
| East London (ELB) - Nightwatchman | Not Tried | 0 |
| Lakedown - Kicking Donkey Best Bitter | Not Tried | 0 |
| Brew York - Tonkoko | Not Tried | 0 |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 5 | Not Tried | 0 |
| Siren Craft - Soundwave IPA | Not Tried | 0 |
| Purple Moose - Elderflower Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Titanic - First Class | Not Tried | 0 |
| Siren Craft - Memento | Not Tried | 0 |
| Sambrook's - Pumphouse Pale Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| By The Horns - Macaroon Stout | Not Tried | 0 |
| Sambrook's - Night Shift | Not Tried | 0 |
| Ilkley - Ruby Jane | Not Tried | 0 |
| Orkney (Sinclair) - Dragonhead | Not Tried | 0 |
| Brighton Bier - Mildred | Not Tried | 0 |
| Track - Sonoma | Not Tried | 0 |
| Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - Gale's HSB | Not Tried | 0 |
| Brew York - Empire ESB | Not Tried | 0 |
| Kent - The Quiet American | Not Tried | 0 |
| Verdant - Penpol | Not Tried | 0 |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - DogBolter Dark Porter | Not Tried | 0 |
| Anarchy - Gold Star | Not Tried | 0 |
| Anarchy - Citra Star | Not Tried | 0 |
| Black Country - Pig on the Wall Mild | Not Tried | 0 |
| Tonbridge - Ebony Moon | Not Tried | 0 |
| Good Chemistry - Storms Pass | Not Tried | 0 |
| Uttoxeter - Uxonian | Not Tried | 0 |
| Siren Craft - Suspended in Centennial | Not Tried | 0 |
| Lakedown - Spring Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Fell - Light Mild | Not Tried | 0 |
| Downlands (formerly South Downs) - Revival | Not Tried | 0 |
| Hop Shed (formerly Unity Brew House) - Pecking Order | Not Tried | 0 |
| Cairngorm - Trade Winds | Not Tried | 0 |
| Turning Point - Lucid Dream | Not Tried | 0 |
| Orkney (Sinclair) - Red MacGregor | Not Tried | 0 |
| Marble - Mild | Not Tried | 0 |
| Adnams - Old Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Verdant - Future You | Not Tried | 0 |
Visits Details
11 Jun 2024 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening visit until close. 4 locals at the bar made for an entertaining tableau. The proliferation of very sharply hopped bitters here tonight was most pleasing.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kent - Maia | 5.00 | | Continued the theme here of very sharp hoppy brews tonight |
| Kent - Galaxy | 4.50 | | Great hoppy bitterness |
| Cerne Abbas - Danny's Brew | 4.40 | | Another sharply bitter brew |
| Rother Valley - 50 (CAMRA SE Sussex Branch 1974-2024) | 4.70 | | Dark and sharply bitter |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - DogBolter Dark Porter | 5.60 | Not Tried | Must have just ran out as I walked up the road |
| Black Country - Pig on the Wall Mild | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Uttoxeter - Uxonian | 4.90 | Not Tried | The taster as so very bland compared with the others here |
| Fell - Light Mild | 3.40 | Not Tried |
21 May 2024 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening visit until close. Couple of milds on in readiness for this forthcoming weekend's mild festival here including Sarah Hughes Dark Ruby.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Larkins - Porter | 5.20 | | First rate, keeping superb head and lacing until the end |
| Kent - Maia | 5.00 | | Most drinkable 5%er |
| Downlands (formerly South Downs) - Evening Star Revival APA | 4.80 | | Superb with a tongue rasping dry bitterness. Not quite sure if this is revival of a Dark Star beer per se. Moreish |
| Bradfield - Farmers Cherry Beer | 4.20 | | Good but needed more cherry flavouring |
| Titanic - First Class | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Sambrook's - Pumphouse Pale Ale | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Sambrook's - Night Shift | 3.50 | Not Tried | |
| Brighton Bier - Mildred | 3.70 | Not Tried | |
| Brew York - Empire ESB | 5.40 | Not Tried |
19 Apr 2024 (Ian)
Friday lunchtime. Everyone saying what a great pub this is. Relaxed welcoming lovely. Great beer and Cider selection
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rother Valley - Hoppers Ale | 4.40 | | Proper English hopped bitter |
| Kent - Born To Be Mild | 3.50 | | Good malts |
| New Bristol - Bristol Bitter | 4.00 | | Characterful English bitter |
| Kent - Vista | 4.50 | | New single hopped beer cracking condition |
| East London (ELB) - Nightwatchman | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Brew York - Tonkoko | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Kent - The Quiet American | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Siren Craft - Soundwave IPA | 5.60 | Not Tried | |
| Downlands (formerly South Downs) - Revival | 4.80 | Not Tried |
09 Apr 2024 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening visit until close.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rother Valley - Anthem | 4.30 | | 4½* Exceptional condition with superbly balanced six hopping |
| Surrey Hills - Collusion | 5.20 | | 4½* This ale is addictive enough without being in this condition! |
| Lakedown - Harmonium | 5.70 | | A powerful taste in top notch form |
| Turning Point - Lucid Dream | 5.30 | Not Tried | |
| Siren Craft - Memento | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Marble - Mild | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Verdant - Future You | 4.50 | Not Tried |
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 |
About the Nelson Arms
Summary of Beer Scores
| Total | |
|---|---|
| 4 |
| 92 |
| 31 |
 | 2 |
 | - |
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, 2024 and 2025. 10 handpumps plus 2 unused (dummy) ones and 20 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 36 times, seen 203 different beers and tried 102 of them.
Postcode: TN9 1UP