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The Butchers Arms (Free House)

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Beer (sort)Average Score (sort)No. Samples (sort)
Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)Exceptional3
Harvey's - Sussex Best BitterExceptional4
Dark Star - Hylder BlondeExceptional1
Dark Star - Over The MoonExceptional3
Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - ESBExceptional3
Hook Norton - Old HookyExceptional1
Dark Star - FestivalExcellent1
Westerham - British Bulldog "BB" (was 4.3%)Excellent1
Oakham - Bishops FarewellExcellent1
Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - KiplingExcellent1
Dark Star - SunburstGood1
Dark Star - Golden GateGood1
King & Barnes (now see and use Badger entries) - Sussex Best BitterNot Tried0
Harvey's - Tom PaineNot Tried0
Adnams - BroadsideNot Tried0
Picture 1. The Butchers Arms, Herne, Kent
Picture 2. The Butchers Arms, Herne, Kent

Visits Details

09 Oct 2009 (Blair)
We were stumped what to do on a friday night so decided on a night here. After the half hour walk in thr rain to get here, a beer was most welcome. Great fun as always.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - ESB5.50ExceptionalHad to drink this a little faster than I would have liked but still beautiful.
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Excellent
Dark Star - Over The Moon3.80ExcellentLovely 'different' ale. Roasted malt and hops, really tasty.
Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Kipling5.20ExcellentSweet, floral and very fruity ale. Really does not taste 5.2%.
Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)3.40Not Tried
29 Sep 2009 (Blair)
Only a swift visit tonight, mainly so I can be sure I'll be up for work in time in the morning. Steady stream of regulars coming in and out. Main topic of converdation seemed to be the lewd actions of a certain local. Funny night as I've come to expect.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - ESB5.50ExcellentAlmost a 5, rich and fruity with almost a fruitcake like flavour to it. Delicious.
Oakham - Bishops Farewell4.60ExcellentExceptionally light, crisp and refreshing ale.
Dark Star - Golden Gate4.50GoodMarked as 4.2%. Typical hoppy dark star ale in a lot of ways, although slightly darker and with a little more malt and fruit. Good beer, but pales in comparison to the likes of hophead and the apa in my opinion.
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Not Tried
Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)3.40Not Tried
23 Sep 2009 (Conan the Librarian)
Came in for 1 on my way home from work, to find Camra in attendance with Martyns latest award. This really is an award winning pub. One topic of conversation was the loss the previous night of a Ferrari Mondena, when the driver lost control just up the road overturned and it burst into flames. Oops
BeerABVScoreNotes
Dark Star - Hylder Blonde4.20ExceptionalAs with dark star another great tasting beer well served (of course)
King & Barnes (now see and use Badger entries) - Sussex Best Bitter3.50Not Tried
Dark Star - Over The Moon3.80Not Tried
Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)3.40Not Tried
22 Sep 2009 (Mick)
We were in early, a couple of locals in, we discussed who would be banned next.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Dark Star - Over The Moon3.80ExceptionalFantastic, I love this beer, intense flavour for a 3.8% beer, not quite sure how to define it, even the brewers say it's not a mild. Is it a dark bitter? I do not know or care, it is a superb ale.
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Not Tried
Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)3.40Not Tried
Dark Star - Hylder Blonde4.20Not Tried
10 Sep 2009 (Blair)
Only 3 other people in tonight which took me by surprise, I was with a group of eight though so it didn't stay quiet for long. Great banter as always and my friends were quite astounded by the pickled eggs. Not so taken by the bright red hophead however.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Exceptional
Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - ESB5.50ExceptionalWe polished off the last of Martyn's ESB, it was absolutely stunning.
Dark Star - Festival5.00ExcellentRich, dark and malty beer. A littlt toffee and biscuit in there, really very good beer.
Dark Star - Sunburst4.80GoodVery light refreshing beer, not quite as full flavoured as I'd like in a beer of this strength though. Still a very enjoyable pint.
Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)3.40Not Tried
10 Sep 2009 (Ken)
Just a short visit this evening, but it always amazes me how easy it is to strike up some friendly banter with people you've never met before. Subjects this evening ranged from David Attenborough's daughter to Billy Cotton, Arthur Askey, and to where Scotty hid the bodies of his ex-neighbours! Answers on a postcard please.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00ExceptionalNever ceases to amaze.Just consistently good drinking.
03 Sep 2009 (Conan the Librarian)
Attended Martyn's birthday bash, of course there were only 12 people in (cos thats all it will hold) I THINK NOT I counted 28 at one time, and all enjoying each others company, and the excellent beer, with some pie and cake thrown in. Sadly due to circumstances I could only sample the Hophead which as usual was delicious
BeerABVScoreNotes
Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)3.40ExcellentLight and full of flavour
Adnams - Broadside4.70Not Tried
Dark Star - Over The Moon3.80Not Tried
Westerham - British Bulldog "BB" (was 4.3%)4.10Not Tried
Dark Star - Sunburst4.80Not Tried
02 Sep 2009 (Glyn)
Beware of landlord brandishing red card, is anyone safe? Remember two yellows or a straight red, go to jail do not pass Go! The award winning pub is having a clean up and clear out. The floor covering of nut shells has been replaced with egg shells as customers tip toe around mine host. To celebrate Martyns special day and us regulars being allowed in, there is a fly pass by the Red Arrows at 7.00pm followed by bell ringing until 9.30pm. Buffet is provided by Mrs Miggins, Mrs Scott and Martyn will provide the beer!! Good to see Over the Moon back on, and Spudders see you se soir!
BeerABVScoreNotes
Dark Star - Over The Moon3.80Exceptional
29 Aug 2009 (Andrew)
I had a spare 45 mins so thought I'd try out the Plough in Broomfield but it was closed and peering though the window had its two hand-pump signs turned round. I thought about going to the Huntsman and Horn or the Gate Inn but then thought, "What am I thinking, it's 12am, the Butcher's will be open". Usually when I get a spare few mins its on a Sunday when the Butchers is closed. Anyway, down I went. It was fairly busy when I arrived. A chap from Wigmore came in and was very happy to see Dark Star Hophead and Harvey's Sussex on. Coincidently they were the 2 bottles I had sitting by me. A lady popped her head in just to find out what kind of shop this was. It's the best kind of shop - a beer shop! Got to love the Butchers!
BeerABVScoreNotes
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00ExceptionalSweet and fruity with good hops and that distinctive Harvey's yeast. Excellent session best bitter.
Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)3.40ExceptionalExcellent grapefruit hop with a hint of pineapple juice to it. The King. Pour-back goodness in a pint glass.
Westerham - British Bulldog "BB" (was 4.3%)4.10ExcellentExcellent condition (but it's the Butchers so no real surprise there). A robust, fruity beer with an earthy hop. Lovely
Dark Star - Sunburst4.80Not Tried
Harvey's - Tom Paine5.50Not Tried
25 Aug 2009 (Glyn)
There is an undercurrent of excitement in this award winning micro pub, as Martyn rapidly approaches a landmark birthday. Celebrations begin on 2nd September and climax on Thursday.On Friday there will be free beer donated by Dark Star, fireworks, a running buffet and a Party Bag upon departure. Martyn would also like to take this opportunity to thank his friends and regulars for their support over the years and the significant role they have played in his success.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Hook Norton - Old Hooky4.60ExceptionalExcellent
Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)3.40ExceptionalExcellent! the only word to describe this beer. I have previously maligned this litte beer for its strength and lager like appearance. How wrong could I be this really is giant among beers!!

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About The Butchers Arms

The pub sign. The Butchers Arms, Herne, Kent

Summary of Beer Scores

 Total
Exceptional241
Excellent432
Good95
Acceptable15
Poor-

Website.

The pub is found in Herne, Kent, CT6 7HL.

In the middle of Herne village in Herne Street, once the Canterbury Beer Shop selling beer straight from the cask. It is now a pub (with the same owner as before) and still does off-sales which is fantastic! Voted CAMRA Kent Pub of the Year in 2008 and East Kent CAMRA Pub of the Year in 2009 (...and not surprisingly). Regarded universally as the first micropub, which has spawned many similar ventures in East Kent and throughout the UK. Real ales are kept on gravity dispense in a cold room to the right and you will view this when you walk through it to the unisex toilet at the rear. Displays a Micropub Association Certificate of Registration warranting, annually, that it adheres to the tenets and ethics of the Association's definition of a micropub. Since post-Covid re-opening in October 2021 now open 5-8 Tuesday to Friday only. The landlord and founder of the Micropub Association, Martyn Hillier, was awarded an MBE in the 2024 New Years Honours list for services to Business and to Hospitality. Cash only accepted, no card payment facility.

We have visited this pub 385 times, seen 166 different beers and tried 136 of them.

Map location

Postcode: CT6 7HL