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Rifle Volunteers (Goacher's)
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| Beer (sort) | Average Score (sort) | No. Samples (sort) |
|---|---|---|
| Goacher's - Fine Light Ale |  | 12 |
| Goacher's - Crown Imperial Stout | | 5 |
| Goacher's - Silver Star | | 1 |
| Goacher's - Real Mild Ale |  | 4 |
Michael Croxford
Visits Details
23 Jun 2008 (Ian)
Chris Excell mentioned at the Rare Breeds BF that he would be looking after the pub for a couple of weeks, so I thought I would pop in to see how he was doing. Oddly the fastest way for me to get from Folkestone to Maidstone at 18.00 in the evening was to go via Paddock Wood and the very scenic Medway Valley line. I sat at the bar chatting with Chris about beer in all its formats and in lots of different countries. A few locals joined us around 21.00. A great evening.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goacher's - Fine Light Ale | 3.70 |  | This one came on at lunchtime. Slight bitter edge. Rather a lovely pint of light. Decent hop on end, in fact distinctively hoppy, Nicely satisfying and drinkable, bit of caramel/toffee. It absolutely sings. Fresh satsuma and then excellent fresh hop sting. I was sat on the platform at Maidstone East 10 minutes later and could still feel this hop sting on the tongue. |
| Goacher's - Silver Star | 4.20 | | Chris said that this barrel had been excellent and it was getting near the end. I had the last 2 pints. This was a bit maltier than the two versions I've had before, a bit more like the Fine Light than the Gold Star. Tasty. |
| Goacher's - Real Mild Ale | 3.40 | Not Tried |
01 Sep 2007 (Ian)
Met up with Andrew and Jane and went to see Chris Excell who was looking after the pub for a fortnight due to holidays. We had a great time, sat at the bar swapping conversation with Chris and some of the regulars. Good pub for a session
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goacher's - Fine Light Ale | 3.70 | | Bottom of one barrel and top of the next, both good and both totally drinkable. |
| Goacher's - Real Mild Ale | 3.40 | Not Tried | Had a sip of Andrew's and it was a bit dull. |
| Goacher's - Crown Imperial Stout | 4.50 | Not Tried |
01 Sep 2007 (Andrew)
Spent the evening with Ian and Jane sitting at the alter in the Church of Goacher worshiping the Holy Trinity of Beer: Light, Mild and Crown Imperial Stout.
Chis Excel was behind the bar and he and the locals kept us entertained all night. What a great pub; what a fantastic beer line-up.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goacher's - Fine Light Ale | 3.70 | | Excellent bottom of the barrel Goacher's Light. Lots of rich orange and nice earthy hops. Ace |
| Goacher's - Crown Imperial Stout | 4.50 | | Lovely rich burnt malt flavours with that telltale Goacher's hop and malt body. Umm Goacher's... |
| Goacher's - Real Mild Ale | 3.40 |  | Lots of rich sweet malt and a hint of chocolate and coffee. Nothing wrong with it but I've had much better |
30 Jun 2007 (Magnus Greel)
Lunchtime visit savouring the last pub (in the UK) in which I will ever smoke in, before the ban comes into force tomorrow..
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goacher's - Fine Light Ale | 3.70 | | |
| Goacher's - Real Mild Ale | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Goacher's - Crown Imperial Stout | 4.50 | Not Tried |
28 Jun 2007 (Ian)
Last stop on the west Kent crawl with Phil. We were talking about Chris Excell and there he was behind the bar looking after the pub for 2 weeks whilst Alan and Wendy take a well deserved break. A few locals in and we were the last to leave.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goacher's - Fine Light Ale | 3.70 | | Very good suppable session bitter. |
| Goacher's - Real Mild Ale | 3.40 | | Phil didn't like it, thought it lacked condition, but I finished it for him and thought it was fine. Quite a bit of coffee. |
| Goacher's - Crown Imperial Stout | 4.50 | Not Tried |
19 May 2007 (Ian)
I love sessions like this where you just sit at the same table, in the same pub for 4 hours and only leave because unless you get some food, you are going to fall over. Martin, Andrew and me had a great time. Well Martin and I did as we were sensible enough to get fish and chips to eat on the train on the way home.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goacher's - Fine Light Ale | 3.70 | | Bottom of the barrel marmaladey beer was great, and the top of the barrel fresh beer was great too. Really enjoyed this beer and clearly the best one available. |
| Goacher's - Crown Imperial Stout | 4.50 | | More liquorice and molasses than of late. I prefer it when it is more smokey bacon. |
| Goacher's - Real Mild Ale | 3.40 | Not Tried | Only had a sip of Andrew's but far too caramelly for me and I thought a little bit of diacetyl |
19 May 2007 (Andrew)
Came for a, what now seems annual, visit to the Rifle with Ian and Martin. When we arrived a fellow was at the bar having three 4pt carry-kegs filled with beer ready for the cup final. We stayed until nearly closing. Great pub
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goacher's - Fine Light Ale | 3.70 | | Fresh (from a new barrel) with the smell of Goldings. Orangey straw flavours |
| Goacher's - Crown Imperial Stout | 4.50 | | Rich dark burnt malt with astringent hop on the finish |
| Goacher's - Real Mild Ale | 3.40 | | Funny one as lots of caramel and some butteryness but it still had that coffee mild flavour you'd expect. |
| Goacher's - Fine Light Ale | 3.70 | | A bit lack lustre as bottom of the barrel but there was enough marmalade to keep me interested. Hint of watery straw too. |
09 Dec 2006 (Ian)
I had a wedding in Maidstone to attend and it seemed rude not to pop into here for a drink beforehand. When I got in I was the fourth bloke sat by themselves with a pint of Goachers Fine Light Ale, reading the paper and not saying anything. Perfect peace for half an hour. Then it started getting a bit busier. Nice crowd of people there.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goacher's - Fine Light Ale | 3.70 | | Marmaladey and wonderful. Just a lovely supping pint that doesn't go to your head, but wants you to keep drinking. |
| Goacher's - Real Mild Ale | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Goacher's - Crown Imperial Stout | 4.50 | Not Tried |
08 Apr 2006 (Ian)
Here with Andrew and Cam for Andrew's birthday. And what a lunchtime session this was. Only the 3rd time I can remember when Andrew has out drunk me. The Goachers Light in particular was stunning, both the end of one barrel and the start of the next. Quiet little back street pub where the only entertainment is your conversation. Cracker. Happy Birthday Andrew.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goacher's - Fine Light Ale | 3.70 | | End of the first barrel was rounded and marmaladey, the start of the next barrel I think was the best Goachers Light I've ever had. I really don't know another session bitter like this. The mix of malt, fruit and touch of hop is unbelievably good. |
| Goacher's - Crown Imperial Stout | 4.50 | | Again, the end of one barrel and the start of the next. Just a huge array of smokey and roasted malt flavours. Superb stout with excellent aroma, body, flavour and finish. Hugely satisfying. |
| Goacher's - Real Mild Ale | 3.40 | Not Tried |
08 Apr 2006 (Andrew)
A lunch time session with Ian and Cam. ...and what a lunch time session. The beers were just fantastic. As I stared out of the un-frosted part of the window at the fluffy clouds blowing by and with the lingering taste of Goacher's Light in my mounth I thought this is as good as it gets.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goacher's - Fine Light Ale | 3.70 | | Intense marmalade and rich syrupyness that is unlike anyother beer I've tried (except Archer's farmer's boy). This was lovely and it was bottom of the barrel (...the barrel changed a few pints later) |
| Goacher's - Fine Light Ale | 3.70 | | Top of the barrel Goacher's light! Fresh mandarine flavours with a crisp malty bitterness to it |
| Goacher's - Crown Imperial Stout | 4.50 | | Rich and harsh in its burnt coffee bitterness. Think Goacher's Mild with more body and bite. What a pint! |
| Goacher's - Real Mild Ale | 3.40 | | Intense coffee flavours with a slight tart bitterness. If this had had some chocolate in it that I know it can do then it would have been perfect. As it was it was merely brillant. |
About the Rifle Volunteers
Summary of Beer Scores
| Total | |
|---|---|
| 273 |
| 602 |
| 107 |
| 22 |
 | 7 |
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.
Postcode: ME14 1EU