PubsandBeer

History: Home > Nelson Arms

Nelson Arms (Free House)

[Back to most recent] [Previous Visits]

Beer (sort)Average Score (sort)No. Samples (sort)
Surrey Hills - Shere DropExcellent1
Surrey Hills - CollusionExcellent1
Kent - Comfortably PlumExcellent1
RedWillow - Faithless 162 Amarillo Best BitterExcellent1
Saltaire - Black ForestExcellent1
St Austell - HicksGood1
Harvey's - XX Dark Mild (or Sussex XX Mild)Not Tried0
Harvey's - Georgian DragonNot Tried0
Cwrw Iâl - Pocket RocketNot Tried0
Iron Pier - Woodlands IPANot Tried0
Wantsum - Yellow TailNot Tried0
Bristol Beer Factory - Lemon LoveNot Tried0
Picture 1. Nelson Arms, Tonbridge, Kent
Picture 2. Nelson Arms, Tonbridge, Kent
Picture 3. Nelson Arms, Tonbridge, Kent

Visits Details

30 May 2023 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening visit until close. Even though cask ales were moving slowly all tried were in tip top condition. In view of Magnus Greel's epithet of Whinger's Craze Pubs for the late lamented ChrisE's penchant for suddenly adopting a favourite pub this could easily become a Philip Pirrip's Craze Pub.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Surrey Hills - Shere Drop4.20ExcellentIn great quaffing condition, everything right
Surrey Hills - Collusion5.20Excellent4½* One to drown in, should be an award winner, maybe it is
Kent - Comfortably Plum4.90ExcellentAlways makes me think of the Little Jack Horner nursery rhyme. Much drier than Titanic Plum Porter and a superb after-bitterness
Wantsum - Yellow Tail4.50Not Tried
St Austell - Hicks5.00Not Tried
Bristol Beer Factory - Lemon Love4.40Not Tried
16 May 2023 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening visit until close. A visit to see what all the fuss was about, having never been on my radar before. All I can say it is a most deserving recent multiple winner of local CAMRA Pub of the Year. Obvious care for ales and cider, friendly family atmosphere and eclectic seating areas in a difficult to find (first time) area of the town.
BeerABVScoreNotes
RedWillow - Faithless 162 Amarillo Best Bitter4.10ExcellentIn fine form
Saltaire - Black Forest4.70ExcellentVery dry cherry stout
St Austell - Hicks5.00GoodVery malty
Harvey's - XX Dark Mild (or Sussex XX Mild)3.00Not Tried
Harvey's - Georgian Dragon4.70Not Tried
Cwrw Iâl - Pocket Rocket4.00Not Tried
Iron Pier - Woodlands IPA4.80Not Tried

[Back to most recent] [Previous Visits]

About the Nelson Arms

The pub sign. Nelson Arms, Tonbridge, Kent

Summary of Beer Scores

 Total
Exceptional4
Excellent84
Good25
Acceptable-
Poor-

Website.

The pub is found in Tonbridge, Kent, TN9 1UP.

Beautifully refurbished side street local in Cromer Street, a few minutes walk from Tonbridge station. Features an always interesting selection of cask ales, real ciders and keg beers. Local CAMRA branch Pub of the Year 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2024. 10 handpumps plus 2 unused (dummy) ones and 10 keg taps on the back wall. Different rooms with all Nelson linked names. Massive real cider / perry range here too. CAMRA Kent (West) Pub of the Year 2023 then became CAMRA Kent Regional Pub of the Year 2023. Selected as one of the last 4 in the CAMRA National 2023 Pub of the Year competition. CAMRA Kent (West) Pub of the Year 2024 then Kent Regional Pub of the Year 2024.

We have visited this pub 32 times, seen 180 different beers and tried 88 of them.

Map location

Postcode: TN9 1UP