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The Butchers Arms (Free House)
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| Beer (sort) | Average Score (sort) | No. Samples (sort) |
|---|---|---|
| Adnams - Broadside |  | 1 |
| Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - ESB | | 2 |
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | | 4 |
| Adnams - Old Ale | | 1 |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Dark Conspiracy | | 3 |
| Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - Gale's HSB |  | 1 |
| Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | | 3 |
| Brains - SA Gold (now 4.3% see separate entry) | Not Tried | 0 |
| Dark Star - Original | Not Tried | 0 |
Visits Details
02 Dec 2008 (Mick)
Called in for a late pint with James, expecting it to be quiet but could barely get in the door.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | | Second pint from a new pin, wow! what an aroma no mistaking this as anything but Harvey's, fresh and amazing but will probably be even better on Friday. |
| 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 | |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Dark Conspiracy | 4.90 | Not Tried |
02 Dec 2008 (Andrew)
Having seen Mick's visit I knew the Dark Conspiracy would be on. One of the brewers of this was a friend of mine, Phil, so I had to have it. It was fairly quiet in the pub but then it was a Tuesday night. Martyn had been up to see the Royal Oak in Sussex and was telling me what he thought of the place.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Dark Conspiracy | 4.90 |  | I'd seen on one of Phil's websites that he thought this was an "American Fireside Porter". Given that description I was expecting not to like it overly and had a fear it might be like Porterhouse's Celebration Stout. Fortunately it was nothing like it. It was black in colour and had a milky body with a slight sourness to it. The hops were superb, subtle yet pervasive. There was a slight hint of honey flavours and some mild burnt malt too. It reminded me of really good Larkin’s Porter combined with really good Black Cat Mild. Top stuff. |
| 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 |
30 Nov 2008 (Mick)
Got here at 12:05, already the Whitstable boys were in. People bearing roast spuds and game pie rolled up during the next hour. What a pub!
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | | A good pint of this excellent bitter, it would rank as exceptional anywhere else but this is standard fare here. |
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Dark Conspiracy | 4.90 | | My first taste of this, an excellent pint, dark with chocolate and roasted malt,superb. |
| 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 |
29 Nov 2008 (Ian)
Back for the evening session. Which was great as always, talking about the various nicknames of the locals.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Dark Conspiracy | 4.90 | | Brewed by Eddie, Steve and Phil Lowry. Nice pump clip. Black beer, ruby edges. Lasting beige head. Freshly tapped. Chocolatey beer. Good condition. Very drinkable. Dryish, dry choc finish, little bit of powder on finish, but good balance of juiciness and dryness. Juicy dark fruits, some dark cherry and plum. Some Gadd's typical hop finish. Good choccy aroma. Bit of coffee there too. Flavour grows. Good lasting flavour. I was recommending this to anyone coming in. |
| Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - ESB | 5.50 | | Lots of peppery hop. Rounded fruit. It's very much like it is in the Barrow Boy & Banker in Southwark, but better, bit more rounded. Punches above its weight. No real alcohol taste. Good herb/pepper hop. |
| 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 |
29 Nov 2008 (Ian)
Came here with Andrew for a pint at lunchtime before going back to his for something to eat. Martyn thought both of us had been hit by the stupid stick. Which was fine, because we were being a bit thick. New visitor to the pub from Aylesham was in plus Dominic with some extra hot pickled onions.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | | Solid best bitter as always. |
| Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | 3.40 | | Given the high standards Dark Star/Martyn has set, this wasn't quite as good as it had been, but still a good beer. The hops didn't sing in the way they can when it's at its best. |
| Dark Star - Original | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - Gale's HSB | 4.80 | Not Tried |
29 Nov 2008 (Andrew)
Met up with Ian at lunchtime for a pint or 2 before going back to mine. There were a couple of folk in. Martyn showed us a copy of London CAMRA Regional Director's blogg (http://beerjustice.blogspot.com/2008/10/butchers-arms.html) that described his visit to the 16 regional Pubs of The Year. You can make your own mind up about his opinion. Just before we left I asked Martyn which Harvey’s he had in the pin by the till. I recommend you ask too if you’re interested in Martyn’s opinion of your intellect. Great pub.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | 3.40 | | Slightly earthier than usual and without the same level of floral hop hit. But it was still in good condition and very drinkable. |
| Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - Gale's HSB | 4.80 | | Apparently it was once brewed at Horndean, but not the one in Essex! Not my usual beer but I liked it. Lots of wood resins and slightly vinous. |
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Dark Star - Original | 5.00 | Not Tried |
27 Nov 2008 (Mick)
The usual Thursday night crowd were in, everybody talking to each other, wonderful atmosphere.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | | Perfect pint of Harvey's, absolutely sublime with that unmistakeable Harvey's taste. |
| Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Dark Star - Original | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - Gale's HSB | 4.80 | Not Tried |
21 Nov 2008 (Glyn)
Made two visits to the award winning pub this weekend, Martyn was his usual self sort of polite and kind of helpful. Many of the regulars in and some strange faces, including one chap who has friends in Switzerland, or so he says! What a wonderful thing public transport is, door to door for £1.Broadside was on but not for long, had to finish the evening on ESB,what a shame!!
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adnams - Broadside | 4.70 | | Excellent taste, good nose, |
| Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - ESB | 5.50 | | Be careful with this one,it gets the job done mighty quickly. |
18 Nov 2008 (Glyn)
Another visit to the award winning pub. A fine atmosphere full of Herne Bay people having intellectual conversation, Gary was not present!Our host Martyn announced the winner of the sunday roast potatoes was Sandra, bad luck Ken.All beers in tip top condition as ever, well done landlord.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | 3.40 | | refreshing light session beer, uncomplicated, great nose |
14 Nov 2008 (Glyn)
The locals were in good form last night as I paid a visit to this Award winning pub. Martyn orchestrated procedings in his usual way careful not to offend or upset.Scotty, dressed by his wife was resplendent in pink and looking forward to doing the roast pots on sunday.SN Ken and the boys (including the favourite one) were enjoying the banter and the Old. Dave, Dee etc filed in and ordered 93 inch stuffed crust.Christmas trees now available from Wyevale Woman, orders taken next wednesday. All the regulars from the Award winning pub wish Ralph a speedy recovery. Another good evening can not wait for the next.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adnams - Old Ale | 4.10 | | Good dark session beer |
| Brains - SA Gold (now 4.3% see separate entry) | 4.70 | 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