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Rifle Volunteers (Goacher's)

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Beer (sort)Average Score (sort)No. Samples (sort)
Goacher's - Crown Imperial StoutExcellent4
Goacher's - Real Mild AleGood6
Goacher's - Fine Light AleGood6
Goacher's - Silver StarGood1
Picture 1. Rifle Volunteers, Maidstone, Kent
Picture 2. Rifle Volunteers, Maidstone, Kent
Picture 3. Rifle Volunteers, Maidstone, Kent
Michael Croxford

Visits Details

14 May 2009 (Dosser)
40 people in the Rifle,Thursday!!
BeerABVScoreNotes
Goacher's - Crown Imperial Stout4.50ExceptionalSuperb choclate flavours in top condition
Goacher's - Real Mild Ale3.40Not Tried
Goacher's - Fine Light Ale3.70Not Tried
11 May 2009 (Pedro)
early evening brief visit
BeerABVScoreNotes
Goacher's - Fine Light Ale3.70Excellent
Goacher's - Real Mild Ale3.40Good
Goacher's - Crown Imperial Stout4.50Not Tried
07 May 2009 (Pedro)
brief visit early evening before the Thursday rush
BeerABVScoreNotes
Goacher's - Real Mild Ale3.40Excellent
Goacher's - Fine Light Ale3.70Not Tried
Goacher's - Crown Imperial Stout4.50Not Tried
04 May 2009 (Pedro)
lunchtime
BeerABVScoreNotes
Goacher's - Fine Light Ale3.70Excellent
Goacher's - Real Mild Ale3.40Good
Goacher's - Crown Imperial Stout4.50Not Tried
27 Apr 2009 (Pedro)
Quiet Monday eve
BeerABVScoreNotes
Goacher's - Real Mild Ale3.40Excellent
Goacher's - Fine Light Ale3.70Excellent
Goacher's - Crown Imperial Stout4.50Excellent
17 Apr 2009 (Ian)
Alan is just so dour that I sometimes I wonder if he really wants customers. I have to say that the beer quality on this visit wasn't very good. Which is why we went to The Pilot where the Harvey's was superb.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Goacher's - Fine Light Ale3.70AcceptableJust about acceptable, lacked condition, but mostly lacked flavour.
Goacher's - Real Mild Ale3.40PoorOn the turn towards vinegar. Would have made a pretty good wild fermented mild mind.
Goacher's - Crown Imperial Stout4.50PoorNot sure what this was, fizzy and dark brown is about all I remember.
17 Apr 2009 (Andrew)
We met martin here but didn't stay long. There were a couple of people in.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Goacher's - Fine Light Ale3.70AcceptableFresh but just tasted of oats. No oranges either rich or fresh.
Goacher's - Real Mild Ale3.40Not Tried
Goacher's - Crown Imperial Stout4.50Not Tried
28 Mar 2009 (Dosser)
Fab quiet pub with quality Goachers ale.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Goacher's - Crown Imperial Stout4.50ExceptionalBeautiful full bodied stout.
14 Feb 2009 (Ian)
Tried to come here, but it was shut even after 7pm on a Saturday night.
BeerABVScoreNotes
04 Sep 2008 (Ian)
I took the long route via Paddock Wood and the Medway Valley line again. But it's worth it. Chris Excell was looking after the pub again, so it was a good excuse to come up. I sat at the bar with a couple discussing mostly Ramsgate pubs and then a whole bunch of people came in from some sort of sports club I guess. I've never seen it so busy.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Goacher's - Real Mild Ale3.40GoodVery choccy, good condition. Very drinkable.
Goacher's - Fine Light Ale3.70GoodNow that really is good. Hoppier than usual. And I finished with a pint of this.
Goacher's - Silver Star4.20GoodI had a half of all three beers one. This is more my kind of style of beer and glad I had it once more whilst it's still available.

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About the Rifle Volunteers

The pub sign. Rifle Volunteers, Maidstone, Kent

Summary of Beer Scores

 Total
Exceptional273
Excellent602
Good107
Acceptable22
Poor7

Website.

The pub is found in Maidstone, Kent, ME14 1EU.

In Wyatt Street, one of three Goacher's tied pubs. Décor has not been updated for some time, but that adds to the joy of this quiet pub. Light, Mild and Stout on regularly. If you like Goacher's, then come here. Also, if you like a quiet pub with no airs or graces that serves well crafted beers then this is your place. The long standing licensee of nearly 37 years (Alan) left in late February 2015 bringing a phase of the pub to an end. Pub closed for a week then re-opened under new tenants, Matt and Gina who were themselves replaced by Alex and Polly in February 2018. The 3 original handpumps have now become 4. Secluded rear garden. Local CAMRA branch Pub of the Year 2016, CAMRA West Kent Pub of the Year 2016, CAMRA Kent Pub of the Year 2016.

We have visited this pub 595 times, seen 11 different beers and tried them all.

Map location

Postcode: ME14 1EU