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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 - Old Ale (or Sussex XXXX Old Ale) | | 2 |
| Lakedown - Harmonium |  | 1 |
| Dancing Duck - dcuk | | 1 |
| Orkney (Sinclair) - Raven Ale | | 1 |
| Kent - Pilgrim Single Hopped Pale Ale | | 1 |
| Iron Pier - West Coast IPA | | 1 |
| Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - ESB | | 1 |
| Kent - Maia | | 1 |
| Kent - Hygge | | 1 |
| Gyle 59 - Shave X Beer | | 1 |
| Rother Valley - Storm Surge | | 1 |
| Kent - Beyond the Pale | | 1 |
| Downlands (formerly South Downs) - Evening Star Revival APA | | 1 |
| Kent - Starry Night | | 1 |
| Surrey Hills - Collusion | | 2 |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 3 | | 1 |
| Durham - Chocka Mocha Milk Stout | | 1 |
| Iron Pier - Fruit Cake | | 1 |
| Kent - Swing Low | | 1 |
| Harvey's - Kiss | | 1 |
| Rother Valley - Anthem | | 1 |
| Rother Valley - Brew 3800 | | 1 |
| Kent - Caramel Latte | | 1 |
| Larkins - Porter | | 1 |
| Bradfield - Farmers Cherry Beer |  | 1 |
| Cerne Abbas - Tiger Tom Ruby Mild | | 1 |
| Rother Valley - Hoppers Ale | | 1 |
| Three Legs - E S B | | 1 |
| Kent - Born To Be Mild (was 3.5%) | | 1 |
| Siren Craft - Recurring Dream | | 1 |
| New Bristol - Bristol Bitter | | 1 |
| Two by Two - Azacca Mosaic | | 1 |
| Kent - Vista | | 1 |
| Saltaire - YSB | | 1 |
| Downlands (formerly South Downs) - Mister Watson's Decade | | 1 |
| Swannay (formerly Highland) - Island Hopping | | 1 |
| Track - Sonoma | Not Tried | 0 |
| Anarchy - Citra Star | Not Tried | 0 |
| Anarchy - Gold Star | Not Tried | 0 |
| Good Chemistry - Storms Pass | Not Tried | 0 |
| Siren Craft - Suspended in Centennial | Not Tried | 0 |
| Lakedown - Spring Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Downlands (formerly South Downs) - Evening Star Revival APA | 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 |
| 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 |
| Tonbridge - Ebony Moon | Not Tried | 0 |
| By The Horns - Macaroon Stout | Not Tried | 0 |
| Sambrook's - Night Shift | Not Tried | 0 |
| Brew York - Fairytale of Brew York | Not Tried | 0 |
| Orkney (Sinclair) - Dragonhead | Not Tried | 0 |
| Brighton Bier - Mildred | Not Tried | 0 |
| Kent - The Quiet American | Not Tried | 0 |
| Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - Gale's HSB | Not Tried | 0 |
| Brew York - Empire ESB | Not Tried | 0 |
| Ilkley - Ruby Jane | Not Tried | 0 |
| Verdant - Penpol | Not Tried | 0 |
Visits Details
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 (was 3.5%) | 3.40 | | 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) - Evening Star Revival APA | 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) - Evening Star Revival APA | 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 |
About the Nelson Arms
Summary of Beer Scores
| Total | |
|---|---|
| 5 |
| 116 |
| 39 |
 | 4 |
 | - |
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 and 2025 then Kent Regional Pub of the Year 2024.
We have visited this pub 45 times, seen 249 different beers and tried 127 of them.
Postcode: TN9 1UP