PubsandBeer
History: Home > The Butchers Arms
The Butchers Arms (Free House)
[Back to most recent] [Previous Visits] [More Visits]
| Beer (sort) | Average Score (sort) | No. Samples (sort) |
|---|---|---|
| Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) |  | 8 |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Jaipur | | 1 |
| Dark Star - Extra Stout | | 1 |
| Timothy Taylor - Landlord | | 1 |
| Dark Star - Espresso Stout |  | 2 |
| Theakston - Old Peculier | | 2 |
| Oakham - JHB | | 1 |
| Dark Star - Mild |  | 1 |
| 1648 - Bee-Head | | 1 |
| Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - ESB | Not Tried | 0 |
| Dark Star - Over The Moon | Not Tried | 0 |
| Hogs Back - Tongham TEA (previously T.E.A.) | Not Tried | 0 |
| Dark Star - Original | Not Tried | 0 |
| Larkins - Porter | Not Tried | 0 |
| Marston's - Wychwood Hobgoblin IPA (was Ruby Beer, was Hobgoblin) | Not Tried | 0 |
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | Not Tried | 0 |
| 1648 - 3 Threads | Not Tried | 0 |
Visits Details
22 Sep 2007 (Ian)
Probably the best night I have been here. It was very crowded when we arrived and I stood outside with my first pint of Jaipur enjoying the cool evening. Later on we got a table and chatted with the locals and Martyn was on fine form as per usual. The eating of the pickles was great. Superb pub.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | 3.40 | | We had a 4 pint jug of it. We were stood with Martyn chatting about GBBF, local pubs and CAMRA in general. One of the women in the pub apparently recognised me. The beer itself was on top form and I almost cried when the barrel ran out. |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Jaipur | 5.90 | | It may of only been a 4 on the Saturday night, but the bottle I took home and drank on the Sunday was an easy 5/5. The grapefruit is just stunning. |
| Theakston - Old Peculier | 5.60 | | I am not a big drinker of this beer, but we gave it a go. Liquorice, dark malts, good characterful beer and interesting. |
22 Sep 2007 (Andrew)
What a great pub this is. We walked down and by the time we arrived the pub was packed. Later in the evening Martyn let us try some of the pickled onions that were entering his competition. Man that 'Albert' onion stings.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | 3.40 | | Top stuff as always and Martyn probably does the best pint of it I've had. Shame it ran out really but not surprising. |
| Theakston - Old Peculier | 5.60 | | Dark stewed prune colour. Rich plum and raisen. I've not had this for years but this was probably the best pint of it I've had |
| 1648 - Bee-Head | 4.60 | | What I remember of this was that it was a rich golden beer and was good. |
| Dark Star - Mild | 3.60 | | Slighly sour with a very burnt malt flavour. Good dark mild. |
| Timothy Taylor - Landlord | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Jaipur | 5.90 | Not Tried |
15 Sep 2007 (Andrew)
Couldn't stop as I was in the middle of painting a wall so I just bought a 3.5 pint bottle of Hop Head. Outside there was some kind of party going on as there were loads of people milling about.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | 3.40 | | Light and hoppy |
| Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - ESB | 5.50 | Not Tried | |
| Hogs Back - Tongham TEA (previously T.E.A.) | 4.20 | Not Tried |
11 Sep 2007 (Andrew)
Popped in for a pint and had a great time. Martyn told us about who'd been annoying him so far this week and then everyone's attention was distracted by a man called Mad Alan whose name really summed him up. Oh, and the beer quality here is still suberb.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | 3.40 | | Fresh, hoppy with hints of grapefruit. What a great pint |
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Dark Star - Espresso Stout | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Dark Star - Original | 5.00 | Not Tried | Had a bit by mistake. It's blackish with a sligtly coffeecane-sugar flavour to it. |
28 Aug 2007 (Andrew)
There was a film in the 70's called 'Oh Lucky Man'. They're doing a remake and it will star me and my new ability to get to the Butcher's Arms in 10 minutes on my bike! What a great pub this is.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | 3.40 | | This was possibly the best pint of Hophead I've had. I sank 2 pints with ease. |
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | Had a sip of Jane's and it was excellent |
| Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - ESB | 5.50 | Not Tried | |
| Dark Star - Over The Moon | 3.80 | Not Tried |
17 May 2007 (Ian)
Came here with Phil for a few beers and a chat. Martyn was a little hungover from Wednesday, but still on fine form. Good conversation between the locals as they came and went. The pickled eggs are a sight to behold, especially the snooker ball coloured ones.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | 3.40 | | Stunning, brilliant. The benchmark for all other 3.8% blond hoppy beers and this is kept as well as any pint of this beer I've had. |
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - ESB | 5.50 | Not Tried | |
| Dark Star - Mild | 3.60 | Not Tried | Phil had this and thought it was excellent. |
10 Feb 2007 (Ian)
Not sure where everyone was today, most pubs Andrew and me visited across west Kent were thin on numbers. I was amazed that Martyn didn't have more customers. Great outlet for Dark Star beers that feature here regularly.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | 3.40 | | I bought 7 pints of this as take away and had one on Saturday evening and one on Sunday. Both were brilliant. The hop aroma is worth buying this beer for alone. Lovely grapefruit. |
| Dark Star - Espresso Stout | 4.20 | | Black colour with thin tan head. made with coffee beans and you can smell them in the aroma. Some oilyness too. full in mouth with more coffee and dark choc. Juicy and powdery at the same time. Sharp bitterness of espresso coffee on finish. For an espresso fiend like myself, this is great. |
10 Feb 2007 (Andrew)
The last stop on Ian and my beer tour. It was empty when we arived so we had a chat with Martyn.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Star - Espresso Stout | 4.20 | | Coffee bitterness with rich body and roasted coffer bitter finish. An excellent beer. |
| Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | 3.40 | Not Tried |
11 Jan 2007 (Ian)
This is just such a delightful pub. No matter who you meet in there you end up chatting with them due to the intimate atmosphere. Stunning pub with exceptionally good beer kept well and served brilliantly by Martyn. Had a pint of Dark Star Hophead and bought some take home beer too.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Star - Extra Stout | 6.00 | | Deep ruby colour, almost black with a lasting tan head. Smokey chocolate coffee aroma. Reminds me a bit of imperial stouts, but maybe not quite so intense. This is a fantastic beer. The finish in particular has a decent dose of hops, but the dark/milk chocolate mix, the coffee bean, espresso flavour and this full grainy dryness is unbelievable. The alcohol just doesn't get in the way, until you try to stand up after a pint or so and you can't feel your legs. Brilliant |
| Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | 3.40 | | That citric hop aroma is absolutely to die for. The fact that it is only 3.8% means that you can keep supping it. Difficult to find fault in it. The finish is so tangy with citrus fruits and drying hop that it makes you want to take another sip. Great session beer. |
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | I didn't try it, but the guy opposite me thought that it was fantastic. |
| 1648 - 3 Threads | 4.30 | Not Tried | Badged as BSA |
02 Dec 2006 (Ian)
Andrew and me came here for opening on Saturday evening. And it is still a stunning place. I had a pint of JHB whilst we got some beer for the evening to take away in the bottles. I can't think of a pub in Kent that has such well conditioned beer. It is kept perfectly and this allows the full flavours of the beers to express themselves. Martyn, the landlord, was as usual on top form.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Timothy Taylor - Landlord | 4.30 | | This used to be one of my favourite beers. But so many pubs serve a bad pint, muddy, poor condition etc, that it has slipped down the list. This however was phenomenal. Crystal clear amber colour with thin white head. Great caramel malt and fresh citrus hop aroma. Intense flavours, but balanced. Has everything, bit of sweaty sox hop too on end. Tangy hoppy finish. Superb all round bitter. |
| Oakham - JHB | 3.80 | | Had all of the elements, grapefruit/tangerine fruit, citrus hops that leave a bitter taste in the mouth. It just lacked a little depth from perfection. |
| Larkins - Porter | 5.20 | Not Tried | |
| Marston's - Wychwood Hobgoblin IPA (was Ruby Beer, was Hobgoblin) | 4.50 | Not Tried |
About The Butchers Arms
Summary of Beer Scores
| Total | |
|---|---|
| 241 |
| 432 |
| 95 |
 | 15 |
 | - |
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 385 times, seen 166 different beers and tried 136 of them.
Postcode: CT6 7HL