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Rifle Volunteers (Goacher's)

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Beer (sort)Average Score (sort)No. Samples (sort)
Goacher's - Fine Light AleExcellent9
Goacher's - Crown Imperial StoutExcellent2
Goacher's - Real Mild AleExcellent6
Goacher's - Best Dark Ale (aka Original)Excellent4
Goacher's - Silver StarNot Tried0
Goacher's - Gold StarNot Tried0
Picture 1. Rifle Volunteers, Maidstone, Kent
Picture 2. Rifle Volunteers, Maidstone, Kent
Picture 3. Rifle Volunteers, Maidstone, Kent
Michael Croxford

Visits Details

16 Apr 2021 (ChrisE)
Evening visit, the garden area was full so it was a good job that we had reserved three spaces.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Goacher's - Real Mild Ale3.40Excellent
Goacher's - Fine Light Ale3.70Excellent
Goacher's - Gold Star5.10Not Tried
13 Apr 2021 (ChrisE)
Superb. We sat at a small table which was just about big enough to hold two pint glasses and a couple of cheese rolls and left the larger tables for any family groups that turned up. It was not long before all tables were occupied. Very good service here.
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
31 Oct 2020 (Magnus Greel)
Late afternoon to mid evening, friendly and welcoming atmosphere as always here, we enjoyed some great quality beer and banter in this unchanged and unspoilt proper pub.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Goacher's - Real Mild Ale3.40Excellent
Goacher's - Fine Light Ale3.70Excellent
Goacher's - Best Dark Ale (aka Original)4.10Excellent
Goacher's - Gold Star5.10Not Tried
31 Oct 2020 (ChrisE)
Saturday afternoon and early evening visit, the pub was full to COVID capacity and I think some potential customers had to be turned away. Very well organised and a great atmosphere in here tonight.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Goacher's - Real Mild Ale3.40ExceptionalThis was absolutely fantastic, in perfect condition.
Goacher's - Fine Light Ale3.70Excellent
Goacher's - Best Dark Ale (aka Original)4.10Excellent
Goacher's - Gold Star5.10Not Tried
22 Sep 2020 (ChrisE)
Lunchtime until 4.15pm afternoon closing. The bar is open for business but it was a nice day and I think everybody opted for drinking in the pleasant and enclosed garden area at the rear. Good table service here.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Goacher's - Best Dark Ale (aka Original)4.10Excellent
Goacher's - Real Mild Ale3.40Good
Goacher's - Fine Light Ale3.70Not Tried
27 Aug 2020 (ChrisE)
Lunchtime visit with pre-booked garden table. A steady trade that many pubs would envy. We were informed that they plan to open the bar from tomorrow and that Goacher's will be brewing their Real Mild Ale again from next week.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Goacher's - Fine Light Ale3.70ExcellentIn tip top condition.
Goacher's - Best Dark Ale (aka Original)4.10Not Tried
Goacher's - Gold Star5.10Not Tried
28 Jul 2020 (ChrisE)
A pleasant couple of hours sitting in the garden with table service and good company. A pity that the neighbours were listening to Heart FM in their garden though. The gents toilets have now been completely refurbished with new flooring, sink basin, paper towels and new sparge pipes.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Goacher's - Fine Light Ale3.70ExcellentSuperb as is usual in this pub.
Goacher's - Best Dark Ale (aka Original)4.10Not TriedThis was selling well but ran out as I was about to order one.
Goacher's - Gold Star5.10Not Tried
14 Jul 2020 (ChrisE)
Superb. Very continental with table sevice and pay when you leave. The Gents is being refurbished so it is one at a time in the ladies. Hand sanitiser is provided at every table. Garden service only.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Goacher's - Fine Light Ale3.70Excellent
Goacher's - Best Dark Ale (aka Original)4.10Excellent
17 Feb 2020 (ChrisE)
Evening visit, fairly quiet tonight.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Goacher's - Real Mild Ale3.40ExcellentIn top condition.
Goacher's - Fine Light Ale3.70Good
Goacher's - Crown Imperial Stout4.50Good
Goacher's - Gold Star5.10Not Tried
01 Feb 2020 (ChrisE)
Late evening and packed with people enjoying the Goachers' ales. Plenty of old faces from the time that Alan was the landlord.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Goacher's - Crown Imperial Stout4.50ExcellentIn fantastic condition.
Goacher's - Fine Light Ale3.70Good
Goacher's - Real Mild Ale3.40Not Tried
Goacher's - Silver Star4.20Not Tried

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About the Rifle Volunteers

The pub sign. Rifle Volunteers, Maidstone, Kent

Summary of Beer Scores

 Total
Exceptional271
Excellent602
Good106
Acceptable22
Poor6

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 594 times, seen 11 different beers and tried them all.

Map location

Postcode: ME14 1EU