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The Old Buttermarket (Nicholson's (Mitchells & Butlers))

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Beer (sort)Average Score (sort)No. Samples (sort)
Hook Norton - HaymakerExceptional1
Morrissey Fox - Aussie IPAExceptional1
Saltaire - Triple Choc (was Triple Chocoholic)Excellent1
Williams Brothers - Fraoch Heather AleGood1
Sharp's - Doom BarGood1
Wolf - Straw DogsGood2
St Austell - TributeGood1
Timothy Taylor - LandlordAcceptable1
Shepherd Neame - Spitfire (or Spitfire Amber Ale)Acceptable1
York (now brewed by and at Black Sheep) - Centurion's Ghost AleAcceptable1
Williams Brothers - Ginger BeerAcceptable1
Adnams - Southwold BitterNot Tried0
Greene King - IPA (was 3.6%)Not Tried0
Lancaster - BlondeNot Tried0
Hydes - Berry Good AleNot Tried0
Triple fff - Alton's PrideNot Tried0
Harviestoun - SchiehallionNot Tried0
Harvey's - Sussex Best BitterNot Tried0
Museum - Worthington's White ShieldNot Tried0
Acorn - Barnsley BitterNot Tried0
Wolf - Coyote BitterNot Tried0
Picture 1. The Old Buttermarket, Canterbury, Kent
Picture 2. The Old Buttermarket, Canterbury, Kent

Visits Details

05 Jan 2011 (Andrew)
Handful of people in. Sat at the front and watched tourists.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Saltaire - Triple Choc (was Triple Chocoholic)4.80ExcellentBlack. Heavy chocolate powder flavours with a hint of cherry and a tart bitter finish
Sharp's - Doom Bar4.00Not Tried
Wolf - Coyote Bitter4.30Not Tried
27 Dec 2010 (Martin the Mildman)
One staff member is not enough to cope with the lunchtime rush. Went back about 4.30pm and much quieter.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Williams Brothers - Ginger Beer3.80AcceptableRather sweet with the flavour of stem ginger biscuits. Not too cloudy and golden amber coloured. My score 14/20.
Sharp's - Doom Bar4.00Not Tried
Museum - Worthington's White Shield5.60Not Tried
Acorn - Barnsley Bitter3.80Not Tried
29 Oct 2010 (Ian)
Covered in decoration for halloween. Not very busy early Friday evening.
BeerABVScoreNotes
York (now brewed by and at Black Sheep) - Centurion's Ghost Ale5.40AcceptableGood dark strong beer.
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Not Tried
Sharp's - Doom Bar4.00Not Tried
08 Oct 2010 (Ian)
Slightly less snug than it's former self as The Olive Branch, but glad to see a Nicholson's pub this far south. May get there Thornbridge seasonal beers in then. Outside was busier than inside as you would expect given it's location right outside the cathedral gates.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Wolf - Straw Dogs4.50GoodHas some interesting flavours for an English wheat beer, interesting yeast characters and enough citrus fruit to keep you interested.
08 Oct 2010 (Andrew)
Second pub in Ian and my "Old School" tour. This used to be called the Olive Branch 20 years ago and that's still what I call it. Quite a lot of folk in and quite varied in demographic. We sat up the back and talked about wheat beers. Man we're interesting guys.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Wolf - Straw Dogs4.50GoodLemon delight flavours in this pale gold beer. Zingy. Slightly acidic. Nice and refreshing.
Greene King - IPA (was 3.6%)3.40Not Tried
Shepherd Neame - Spitfire (or Spitfire Amber Ale)4.20Not Tried
Sharp's - Doom Bar4.00Not Tried
Adnams - Southwold Bitter3.70Not Tried
02 Oct 2010 (pavorossi)
BeerABVScoreNotes
Sharp's - Doom Bar4.00Good
Greene King - IPA (was 3.6%)3.40Not Tried
Shepherd Neame - Spitfire (or Spitfire Amber Ale)4.20Not Tried
St Austell - Tribute4.20Not Tried
Williams Brothers - Fraoch Heather Ale4.10Not Tried
01 Oct 2010 (pavorossi)
BeerABVScoreNotes
St Austell - Tribute4.20Good
Williams Brothers - Fraoch Heather Ale4.10Good
Greene King - IPA (was 3.6%)3.40Not Tried
Shepherd Neame - Spitfire (or Spitfire Amber Ale)4.20Not Tried
Sharp's - Doom Bar4.00Not Tried
23 Jul 2010 (Alenomore)
2130 visit. Not too busy and always worth a look in. Convenient for my Hotel across the road as well?
BeerABVScoreNotes
Hook Norton - Haymaker5.00ExceptionalSecond new ale tonite and spot on too.
Morrissey Fox - Aussie IPA5.00ExceptionalVery surprised to find this here. Nice condition too.
Greene King - IPA (was 3.6%)3.40Not Tried
Shepherd Neame - Spitfire (or Spitfire Amber Ale)4.20Not Tried
Triple fff - Alton's Pride3.80Not Tried
Harviestoun - Schiehallion4.80Not Tried
19 Feb 2010 (Andrew)
Wasn't intending to come here but there was a sign outside saying they were proud of their Real Ale so I thought, why not. The pub had 4 beers on split across the front and back bar but no mention of what was on at the other bar - which seamed a bit daft. Staff were efficient and the pub was busy with tourist and workers out for a Friday pint.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Shepherd Neame - Spitfire (or Spitfire Amber Ale)4.20AcceptableNothing wrong with it just a bit harsh on the malt and a bit disjointed on the hop.
Greene King - IPA (was 3.6%)3.40Not Tried
Lancaster - Blonde4.00Not Tried
Hydes - Berry Good Ale4.50Not Tried
04 Mar 2006 (Ian)
Oh dear, oh dear. What has become of this place? Once a regular haunt when it was the Olive Branch, it was then taken over by the Firkin brewery and the back extended to fit more customers. Now it is still wonderful on the outside and a tremendous location, but inside it is corporate and dull. The lads from the Bell & Crown came in just after me looking the worse for wear.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Timothy Taylor - Landlord4.30AcceptableCopper/gold colour with thin white head. Muddy and muddled. Hops and orange zest aroma is good. Earthy in mouth with good hop on end. Reasonably astringent
Shepherd Neame - Spitfire (or Spitfire Amber Ale)4.20Not Tried
Adnams - Southwold Bitter3.70Not Tried

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About The Old Buttermarket

The pub sign. The Old Buttermarket, Canterbury, Kent

Summary of Beer Scores

 Total
Exceptional4
Excellent9
Good15
Acceptable7
Poor-

Website.

The pub is found in Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2HW.

Formerly the Olive Branch, in Burgate, excellent location in the corner of the old Butter Market opposite the Canterbury Cathedral main gate. Very popular in the summer with tourists sitting at the chairs and tables in the square itself. Closed for refurbishment 11th November 2019, re-opened 4th December 2019.

We have visited this pub 30 times, seen 66 different beers and tried 32 of them.

Map location

Postcode: CT1 2HW