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The Butchers Arms (Free House)
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| Beer (sort) | Average Score (sort) | No. Samples (sort) |
|---|---|---|
| Dark Star - Over The Moon |  | 3 |
| Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | | 1 |
| Hook Norton - Old Hooky |  | 3 |
| Dark Star - Porter (aka City) | | 3 |
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | | 1 |
| Dark Star - American Pale Ale (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | | 2 |
Visits Details
31 Jan 2009 (Ian)
I had absolutely nothing to do on Saturday that didn't take me longer than a couple of hours to do. So by 11.36 I was on the train out of Ashford, and 45 minutes later I ended up here. First one in and what a session. Unbeknownst to me the Camra Dover, Deal and Sandwich branch had organised with Martyn to stay for a bit during Saturday afternoon. Roger Marples and his wife were the first to arrive, but then there were a dozen or so in after that. Good banter.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Star - American Pale Ale (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | 4.70 | | As Mick says, Martyn was a bit hesitant in serving this as although he had tapped it on Wednesday, it was still hazy. So after adding some extra finings I had it Saturday lunchtime. Yes a bit of a haze, but being served in a 2 pint ceramic jug and served out of a pewter tankard, I really didn’t care what it looked like. Just slightly yeastier than I would expect on the aroma, but the rest was excellent. So much so in fact that I ended up drinking a gallon of it and never even considered drinking anything else despite the approving noises being made about the other beers from the Camra group. |
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Dark Star - Porter (aka City) | 5.50 | Not Tried | |
| Dark Star - Over The Moon | 3.80 | Not Tried | We’ve decided that it isn’t a mild as it is too hoppy and should therefore be classed as a dark bitter. |
| Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | 3.40 | Not Tried |
30 Jan 2009 (Mick)
Absolutely packed with locals, I have never seen the place so busy.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Star - American Pale Ale (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | 4.70 | | Martyn was a bit reluctant to serve this as it was not 100% clear but this did not impair the taste. Superb, amazing hop character with the cascade and centennial hops bursting through, slightly lacking on the finish but still superb. |
| Dark Star - Porter (aka City) | 5.50 | Not Tried | |
| Hook Norton - Old Hooky | 4.60 | Not Tried | |
| Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | 3.40 | Not Tried |
30 Jan 2009 (Blair)
It's been far too long since I've been here, nearly 2 months I believe. Once inside it felt like I'd never been away. Really busy tonight, hitting 33 people at one point. Thankfully I didn't take too much stick tonight, looks like the shock of discovering my veganism is over.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Star - Porter (aka City) | 5.50 | | Fantastic porter. Rich chocolate flavour with a little smokiness. The strength did get to me after a couple though. |
| Hook Norton - Old Hooky | 4.60 |  | Chestnut coloured bitter. Very fruity with a nutty flavour to it. Very nice. |
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | 3.40 | Not Tried |
30 Jan 2009 (KB)
Goodness me wasn't it busy tonight. Had to fight for a place. In these times its obviously a sign of the good beer and company that Martyn provides. I was on the Harveys tonight and it was as excellent as ever. Its always worth a trip to this pub for the beer and entertainment provided by Martyn and the locals.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | | At this pub the colour and taste are always the same - excellent |
30 Jan 2009 (Conan the Librarian)
Arrived late (for us) at this award winning pub, having collected the 'Silverback'. Mrs Conan swapped cars with me when she delivered 'Riggers' who drove us home. The pub was full to capacity too many people for me to count but I'm it was over thirty. Straight onto the Dark Star Porter for me which (as I would expect) was in excellent condition and very tasty. With so many in conversations were with whomever you were standing next to, and glasses and jugs of beer were delivered overhead, orders sometimes given to Martyn by 'tick tack' and other sign language
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Star - Porter (aka City) | 5.50 | | Don't know if this was the 'barrel' that was tapped for me Tuesday, but if so just goes to show Martyn knows how to keep beer in excellent condition |
28 Jan 2009 (Glyn)
The 18.25 bus took me to the award winning pub in 12 minutes, cost £1.Blutto and Ulster Ken were already there, soon to be joined by KB(63), and our resident librarian, Hugh.Good beer and banter enjoyed by all.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Star - Over The Moon | 3.80 | | Really tasty dark session beer, lots of flavours but dont know which ones |
| Dark Star - Porter (aka City) | 5.50 | Not Tried |
27 Jan 2009 (Conan the Librarian)
As stated by Glyn I did indeed visit this award winning pub Tuesday night, unlike him I did try the excellent Dark Star Porter, and found it (as I would expect) to be in wonderful condition and very flavoursome - hints of smokiness hidden in its darkness. Like Glyn I enjoyed the company and chat
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Star - Porter (aka City) | 5.50 | | Superb condition - great taste |
27 Jan 2009 (Glyn)
Last saturday saw a raid on the pub by some jolly nice folk from Folkestone. One of them, Mrs Miggins, brought the most splendid home made pork pie and divided amongst those present. Complete with golden pastry and hot water crust, it is without doubt the finest pie ever! Thank you Mrs Miggins.
Sunday lunch saw a special guest appearance behind the ramp, Simon (Blutto) was at the helm as Martyn had a well deserved day off with his boys.
Another Butchers Arms away day is in the offing although in its embryonic stage, but early April is looking good. Previous away day veterans will be given priority, strictly no Splitters. Further details coming soon.
Last week saw many special offers including cut price roofing materials, this week bathroom fittings(see Ian).
As usual in this award winning pub beer in tip top condition, as are the regulars who use it. Not seen anyone from Fannit for while though so where are you Blair and CO
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hook Norton - Old Hooky | 4.60 | | Brings back memories of my student days,inspired choice to put it back on the menu. |
24 Jan 2009 (Mick)
Called in with Rosemary for a beer before dinner intending to try the Old Hooky, I then found out Over the Moon was on so had that instead. Andrew put in a brief appearence and the pub quickly filled with locals. I would have liked to have stayed longer.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Star - Over The Moon | 3.80 | | What more can I say about this beer? It is superb and in excellent condition tonight. |
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Hook Norton - Old Hooky | 4.60 | Not Tried | |
| Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | 3.40 | Not Tried |
24 Jan 2009 (Andrew)
I'd been away too long. Cam was down and we needed some beer to go with our take-away curry. I had orders not to dilly-dally at the pub so we didn't have much time. I think I threw back the pint of Old Hooky, half of Hop Head and the last quarter of Cam's Over the Moon in less than 10 minute. Rock 'n' Roll. We were there at 6pm and Mick was in before us. Within the space of 10 minutes the pub was full. Great pub.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Star - Over The Moon | 3.80 | | We were going to get a 3.5 pt take-out of the Hop Head but after Cam had this in the pub we changed our minds. This was great. Smooth roasted, slightly sweet, malt with a mellow 'hop head' hop signature. Just great. As Cam rightly pointed out this was very similar to Nottingham Brewery's Rock Mild. |
| Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | 3.40 | | I've missed you. Rounded and fuller bodied than I recall but with a sublime grapefruit hop character. |
| Hook Norton - Old Hooky | 4.60 | | This was great. Tawny brown in colour with hints of red fruit and a great subtle, slightly dry, malt body. Very drinkable |
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried |
About The Butchers Arms
Summary of Beer Scores
| Total | |
|---|---|
| 241 |
| 430 |
| 93 |
 | 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. Cash only accepted, no card payment facility.
We have visited this pub 382 times, seen 164 different beers and tried 135 of them.
Postcode: CT6 7HL