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The Butchers Arms (Free House)
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| Beer (sort) | Average Score (sort) | No. Samples (sort) |
|---|---|---|
| JW Lees (see also Lees) - Harvest Ale |  | 1 |
| Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | | 4 |
| Dark Star - Six Hop | | 1 |
| Dark Star - Victorian Ruby Mild | | 3 |
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter |  | 5 |
| Dark Star - Over The Moon | | 1 |
| Dark Star - Sussex Extra Stout | | 2 |
| Dark Star - Original | | 3 |
| Adnams - Broadside | Not Tried | 0 |
| Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - ESB | Not Tried | 0 |
Visits Details
07 Apr 2009 (Blair)
Once again a lovely day and I really fancied a pint of Hophead. First time I've been here midweek and I was amazed at how busy it was. tried our best to sell the Thanet Beer festival, hope it worked!
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| JW Lees (see also Lees) - Harvest Ale | 11.50 | | Unfortunately only had a small glass of this to try, but it was sensational. It tasted like a cross between a strong ale and a sherry. Very sweet, perfect for a christmas dinner. |
| Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | 3.40 | | It may well be because I'd been looking forward to this all day, but this was absolutely delightful. Light, hoppy and refreshing. Beautiful. |
| Dark Star - Over The Moon | 3.80 | | A lot darker than I remember last year, and also less hoppier. Seemed more like a traditional mild. Very good though. |
| Dark Star - Original | 5.00 | | Rich and satisfying. Lots of roasted malt and chocolate. |
| Adnams - Broadside | 4.70 | Not Tried | |
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried |
04 Apr 2009 (Blair)
It was a gorgeous night, perfect weather for a trip to The Butchers. It was packed when we arrived, I wasn't sure we'd all actually get in but we managed. Bumped into Andrew, surprised it took this long to bump into either himself or Ian here. The atmosphere was great although it did get very quiet at around 9. Just 5 people left in the place. What a fantastic night.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | | Still the undisputed king of best bitters in my eyes. |
| Dark Star - Original | 5.00 | | Rich dark ale, a little fruity with lots of roasted malt. A top old ale. |
| Adnams - Broadside | 4.70 | Not Tried | |
| Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | 3.40 | Not Tried |
04 Apr 2009 (Andrew)
I popped in for 2ltrs or Hophead and found the place really quite busy although Martyn reckoned it was quite. Got chatting to Glyn and Mick about the forthcoming Butcher's trip to Harveys (shame I can't go). Just as I was about to go, Blair walked in so we had a chat about the Thanet Beer Fest which is on next week. In the brief time I was in the pub it packed out even more (this place really is a Tardis) and it was a squeeze to get out. What a top pub.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | 3.40 | | I've said it before and I'm going to say it again... When you've had this in the Butcher's Arms there's no point in having it else where because it's not going to be better than here. I think this has to be my favourite session beer of all time. |
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - ESB | 5.50 | Not Tried | |
| Dark Star - Original | 5.00 | Not Tried |
03 Apr 2009 (KB)
Another good night. Lots of regulars in tonight including Glyn the Roof(50) who has just reached his half century with lots of hair. We're not sure if its always been his !! As ever good banter and atmosphere.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | | This beer is always excellent when served by Martyn. Makes you want to go back for more. |
03 Apr 2009 (Mick)
Quiet for a Friday, only locals in a splendid evening.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Star - Original | 5.00 | | Superb, chocolate, fruit, malt and a depth of flavour not found in many other beers. |
| 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 | |
| Dark Star - Sussex Extra Stout | 4.50 | Not Tried |
01 Apr 2009 (Ian)
First time in a pub since breaking my arm and what a great way to start up again. Had a great time chatting with Martyn about his upcoming speech at the Camra AGM in Eastbourne which is a wonderful recognition of his efforts
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | 3.40 | | Great intensity of flavours, lovely yellow grapefruit hops |
| Dark Star - Six Hop | 6.50 | | This stands up well against US IPAs. Big resinous full on hops. |
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | | Freshly tapped. Best looking pint of Harvey's I've ever seen. Yeast aroma, good toffee malt, very hoppy finish for a best bitter. Just a little tight on the tongue would be fantastic by the evening session |
| Dark Star - Sussex Extra Stout | 4.50 |  | Good bitterness on finish from the roasted malts, bit of dry charcoal too. |
31 Mar 2009 (Ken)
Ever noticed how psychologists, educators and the like keep talking about people's 'comfort zones' but never ever mention the Butcher's Arms? Ah well! Their loss. Meanwhile, it seems I just missed Birthday Boy Glyn's big 5 - 0. If I'd known I'd have bought a caterpillar cake.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Star - Sussex Extra Stout | 4.50 | | A rich almost plum and dark fruit flavoured stout with just the right edge of bitterness. The second pint is even better. |
27 Mar 2009 (Blair)
I was sat at home doing nothing so decided The Butchers would be a good cure for my boredom. All the usual characters were in tonight, I was in a quiet mood so just sat back and listened to the banter. Martyn asked me to point out that a couple of gents left one of whom left at least 3 quarters of his pint behind. Don't worry Martyn there was nothing wrong with the Harvey's.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | | Excellent aS always, maybe it was a bad move to have the Ruby Mild first. |
| Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | 3.40 | | The most quaffable beer I know. |
| Dark Star - Victorian Ruby Mild | 6.00 | | This is a fantastic beer, tasted even better than when I had it at the Dover beer festival. Soft and fruity with a lovely velvety chocolate flavour. Dangerously easy to drink. |
| Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - ESB | 5.50 | Not Tried | |
| Dark Star - Six Hop | 6.50 | Not Tried |
27 Mar 2009 (KB)
What a good night. Everyone was in good voice and as jokey and friendly as ever with plenty of banter. Locals and visitors all mix in and just chat which is sadly missing from lots of pubs these days, but not here.Martyn, as usual, was providing excellent beer. Why not pay a visit and sample the atmosphere and beer.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | | this beer is always available and excellent. The way Martyn keeps it I'm not surprised |
| Dark Star - Victorian Ruby Mild | 6.00 | | My goodness what a superb pint. The taste and colour(note Martyn) are first class. Recommend anyone to try this. |
25 Mar 2009 (Ken)
A quiet evening enlivened by Dom's encyclopaedic knowledge of beers he hadn't meant to vote for on facebook. And an unexpected guest, Jim (I see no Sheps), proprietor of Faversham's only real ale pub the Elephant.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Star - Victorian Ruby Mild | 6.00 | | The Ruby Mild is a deliciously mellow, rich ale which hides its 6% exceedingly well, till one opens ones mouth to speak! |
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