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The Butchers Arms (Free House)
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| Beer (sort) | Average Score (sort) | No. Samples (sort) |
|---|---|---|
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Jaipur |  | 1 |
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | | 4 |
| Hook Norton - Old Hooky | | 2 |
| Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | | 4 |
| Adnams - Broadside | | 1 |
| Harvey's - Tom Paine | | 3 |
| Westerham - British Bulldog "BB" (was 4.3%) |  | 1 |
| Larkins - Traditional | | 1 |
| Dark Star - Over The Moon | | 3 |
| Dark Star - Sussex Extra Stout | | 2 |
| Dark Star - Sunburst |  | 1 |
| Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - ESB | Not Tried | 0 |
| Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - Gale's HSB | Not Tried | 0 |
| Dark Star - American Pale Ale (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | Not Tried | 0 |
Visits Details
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!
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Star - Over The Moon | 3.80 | |
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!
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | | Sweet 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) | 3.40 | | Excellent 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%) | 4.10 | | Excellent condition (but it's the Butchers so no real surprise there). A robust, fruity beer with an earthy hop. Lovely |
| Dark Star - Sunburst | 4.80 | Not Tried | |
| Harvey's - Tom Paine | 5.50 | Not 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.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hook Norton - Old Hooky | 4.60 | | Excellent |
| Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | 3.40 | | Excellent! 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!! |
21 Aug 2009 (KB)
Another good night at this pub - excellent beer company and banter. What more could anyone ask for ?
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | | I don't know what Martyn has done to this beer but its even better than it normally is and to acheive that is quite something. Apparently he has a secret system !!! I won't ask or he might have to kill me ?? |
| Hook Norton - Old Hooky | 4.60 | | what a good beer this is - served in the best condition |
18 Aug 2009 (Blair)
It's been months since I was last year, but it was my dad's birthday so I treated him to a night out in his favourite pub. Really busy, a testament to how good this pub is that it can be packed out on a tuesday!
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | | |
| Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | 3.40 | | |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Jaipur | 5.90 | | |
| Dark Star - Sussex Extra Stout | 4.50 | | Quite a subtle stout really, roasted malt with a bit of chocolate and ever so slightly smoky. |
| Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - ESB | 5.50 | Not Tried |
04 Aug 2009 (Ken)
Ably run by Biker Boy while Martyn was at the GBBF in London. Yet another example of lax standards at this Award Winning Pub. Fancy leaving an ex-copper in charge of all that beer and banter? Shurely a recipe for disaster?
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adnams - Broadside | 4.70 | | Rich. Full bodied. Very flavoursome. Seems to be getting even better all the time |
| Dark Star - Sussex Extra Stout | 4.50 | | Somebody suggested that Stout was a woman's drink. Hope the head's better this morning |
31 Jul 2009 (Ian)
Brilliant evening with a good mix of males and female locals plus some new faces too. Conversation flowed from boat centreboards to installing electrical equipment at Shepherd Neame Good banter with Simon, Kevin the Pickle and Andy the Onion and Ken. Even Andrew turned up with the world's most surprised face.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harvey's - Tom Paine | 5.50 | | You don't get to see this that often on cask and so pleased I had it. A nosefull of East Kent Golding hops and some Harvey's yeast, perfect malts in the middle and then almost a dry hopped finish. Fantastic. |
| Dark Star - Over The Moon | 3.80 | | Slightly less hoppy than normal. Really drinkable with some lovely toasty malts. |
| Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | 3.40 | | Bit yeastier on aroma than usual I thought. Tip top condition, but I get really picky with this beer now, due to Martyn's excellent cellaring means that anything less than the ultimate best in the beer becomes clear. |
| Dark Star - Sunburst | 4.80 | | Good, but not quite as citrusy as I remember it at Ramsgate Rocks earlier in the month |
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried |
31 Jul 2009 (Andrew)
The last day in July. That's a good enough reason to visit the Butcher's. Actually I was out getting bread but hey. Bumped into Ian which was a bit surreal. It was busy with people having a good time but then when a pub's this good that's not really surprising.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harvey's - Tom Paine | 5.50 | | Copper brown, quite fruity with a crisp bite and that distinctive Harvey's yeast. |
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | | A funny one. As Martyn pointed out it was quite dry. Perfectly drinkable but a little different than usual. |
| Dark Star - Over The Moon | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Dark Star - Sunburst | 4.80 | Not Tried |
29 Jul 2009 (Mick)
Called in early, just a few locals in. An amazing choice of beers on offer but I was here to try the Tom Paine, and it was superb!
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harvey's - Tom Paine | 5.50 | | Dark copper/chestnut colour with a thin white head indicating perfect condition. Malty but not overly so, hoppy with a good depth of flavour and a long finish. A fantastic pint. |
| Dark Star - Over The Moon | 3.80 | | Dark and bursting with flavour, hard to believe it's only 3.8% |
| Adnams - Broadside | 4.70 | Not Tried | |
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Dark Star - American Pale Ale (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | 4.70 | Not Tried | |
| Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Dark Star - Sunburst | 4.80 | Not Tried |
15 Jul 2009 (Mick)
Quiet tonight, half a dozen locals in,
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Larkins - Traditional | 3.40 | | A good pint, mellow and smooth, the first pint from the cask,no outstanding flavours but tasted better after each pint. Very nice for a 3.4%. Could have drunk several more. |
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - ESB | 5.50 | Not Tried | |
| Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Jaipur | 5.90 | Not Tried | |
| Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - Gale's HSB | 4.80 | Not Tried |
About The Butchers Arms
Summary of Beer Scores
| Total | |
|---|---|
| 239 |
| 424 |
| 92 |
 | 14 |
 | - |
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.
We have visited this pub 378 times, seen 164 different beers and tried 135 of them.
Postcode: CT6 7HL