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Rifle Volunteers (Goacher's)

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Beer (sort)Average Score (sort)No. Samples (sort)
Goacher's - Crown Imperial StoutExcellent4
Goacher's - Fine Light AleExcellent4
Goacher's - Real Mild AleGood8
Picture 1. Rifle Volunteers, Maidstone, Kent
Picture 2. Rifle Volunteers, Maidstone, Kent
Picture 3. Rifle Volunteers, Maidstone, Kent
Michael Croxford

Visits Details

13 Aug 2012 (Alenomore)
20:00 visit. Just the landlord and I in on this very wet evening. Having been next door to donate a pint of blood, it would of been rude not to pop in and replenish my iron levels!
BeerABVScoreNotes
Goacher's - Real Mild Ale3.40ExcellentOn good form.
Goacher's - Crown Imperial Stout4.50ExcellentWent down well.
Goacher's - Fine Light Ale3.70Not Tried
10 Aug 2012 (Eddie)
I was told I must visit this place by my friend when in Maidstone so here i am. 1pm Visit: A back to basics no frills, no nonsence old fashiond town pub. I can imagine in its day this was a busy local but not today as i was the only customer, as much as i love pubs like this it all felt very tired and was crying out for some TLC and without ruining the essence of the pub it could once again shine.I tried to engage conversation with the chap behind the bar who i suspect was the landlord but he kept disappering.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Goacher's - Fine Light Ale3.70Acceptablelacking in condition with a sweet citrus taste maybe the end of the cask?? slight malt. OK but not as good example as I had at the Kent beer festival.
Goacher's - Real Mild Ale3.40PoorLacking condition and a tart acidity, a wise choice that i only orderd half!
03 Aug 2012 (Martin the Mildman)
Just me and the landlord early doors before Friday lunch.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Goacher's - Real Mild Ale3.40AcceptableA mature sample with berry fruits and a slight winey character taking over from the usual malt flavours. My score 15/20.
01 Aug 2012 (Pedro)
Lunchtime
BeerABVScoreNotes
Goacher's - Real Mild Ale3.40Excellent
Goacher's - Fine Light Ale3.70Excellent
Goacher's - Crown Imperial Stout4.50Excellent
20 Jul 2012 (Alenomore)
20:00 visit. Final call today. A good crowd in and Alan in top form, just like his ales too.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Goacher's - Crown Imperial Stout4.50ExcellentA top ale.
Goacher's - Real Mild Ale3.40Not Tried
Goacher's - Fine Light Ale3.70Not Tried
14 Jul 2012 (Pedro)
Evening
BeerABVScoreNotes
Goacher's - Real Mild Ale3.40Excellent
Goacher's - Fine Light Ale3.70Not Tried
Goacher's - Crown Imperial Stout4.50Not Tried
14 Jul 2012 (Alenomore)
2100 visit. Pedro and myself paid our favourite pub landlord a visit. This was actually my first visit for 2012. Doesen't time fly....I also persuaded some of my other pals (Wetherspoon refugees!) to join us, which, including two other well known P&B scribes, Angie and Dosser, and some locals, made for quite a crowd. But Alan coped with the "rush" in his usual droll way, admirably. I also warned my pals about the swearing "rule", which was cause for much amusement tonite!
BeerABVScoreNotes
Goacher's - Real Mild Ale3.40ExceptionalA1 condition. A lovely Mild ale.
Goacher's - Fine Light Ale3.70ExcellentSopt on condition. Our group consumed a combined 10 pints tonite.
Goacher's - Crown Imperial Stout4.50Not TriedWe moved on, so no chance to sample tonite.
05 Jul 2012 (Pedro)
Evening
BeerABVScoreNotes
Goacher's - Real Mild Ale3.40Good
Goacher's - Fine Light Ale3.70Not Tried
Goacher's - Crown Imperial Stout4.50Not Tried
29 Jun 2012 (Dosser)
Few in.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Goacher's - Crown Imperial Stout4.50GoodLittle warm but good condition.
Goacher's - Fine Light Ale3.70Not Tried
26 Jun 2012 (Pedro)
Evening
BeerABVScoreNotes
Goacher's - Fine Light Ale3.70Exceptional
Goacher's - Real Mild Ale3.40Excellent
Goacher's - Crown Imperial Stout4.50Not Tried

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About the Rifle Volunteers

The pub sign. Rifle Volunteers, Maidstone, Kent

Summary of Beer Scores

 Total
Exceptional273
Excellent602
Good107
Acceptable22
Poor7

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

Map location

Postcode: ME14 1EU