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Rifle Volunteers (Goacher's)
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| Beer (sort) | Average Score (sort) | No. Samples (sort) |
|---|---|---|
| Goacher's - Best Dark Ale (aka Original) |  | 3 |
| Goacher's - Real Mild Ale (now use separate 3.4% entry) |  | 2 |
| Goacher's - Real Mild Ale | | 3 |
| Goacher's - Crown Imperial Stout | | 6 |
| Goacher's - 1066 Old Ale | | 1 |
| Goacher's - Fine Light Ale | | 8 |
| Goacher's - Gold Star |  | 2 |
Michael Croxford
Visits Details
31 Dec 2016 (Magnus Greel)
Mid evening until just past Midnight, buzzing and lively NYE atmosphere - a good quality and generous buffet was laid on.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goacher's - Fine Light Ale | 3.70 | | Mainstay of the evening. |
| Goacher's - Crown Imperial Stout | 4.50 | | |
| Goacher's - Gold Star | 5.10 | | First time trying this and I found it far too sweet |
| Goacher's - Real Mild Ale | 3.40 | Not Tried |
31 Dec 2016 (ChrisE)
Evening visit for New Year's Eve. Very good atmosphere in here tonight. Gina had laid on a superb buffet with some good cheeses and cold meats.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goacher's - Real Mild Ale | 3.40 | | |
| Goacher's - Fine Light Ale | 3.70 | | |
| Goacher's - Crown Imperial Stout | 4.50 | | |
| Goacher's - Gold Star | 5.10 | | Just a taster as customers were saying that this was much sweeter than usual. |
18 Dec 2016 (ChrisE)
Sunday afternoon and the time for the ever popular Christmas raffle. Five real ales on, the pub was absolutely jammed full with customers and there were nibbles on the bar. The nicest thing about the afternoon was when Alan (the previous landlord) won a prize and there was a spontaneous round of applause.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goacher's - Crown Imperial Stout | 4.50 | | Absolutely top notch. |
| Goacher's - Real Mild Ale | 3.40 | | |
| Goacher's - Fine Light Ale | 3.70 | | First one from a new cask. |
| Goacher's - 1066 Old Ale | 6.70 | | On gravity dispense and my half pint was a gift from the previous landlord. Beer in top notch form although not to everybody's taste. |
| Goacher's - Gold Star | 5.10 | Not Tried |
14 Dec 2016 (ChrisE)
Late evening visit, a good crowd of customers and Labradors enjoying their visits to this excellent pub.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goacher's - Crown Imperial Stout | 4.50 | | |
| Goacher's - Real Mild Ale | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Goacher's - Fine Light Ale | 3.70 | Not Tried | |
| Goacher's - Gold Star | 5.10 | Not Tried | |
| Goacher's - 1066 Old Ale | 6.70 | Not Tried | A pin on the bar and as is so often the case these days a "coming soon". |
25 Nov 2016 (Magnus Greel)
Early evening and busy, very enjoyable atmosphere aided by the friendly locals and perfect hosts Matt & Gina. We managed to swiftly occupy a couple of seats at the bar ChrisE spotted become vacant.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goacher's - Fine Light Ale | 3.70 | | Delicious - perfect session beer |
| Goacher's - Crown Imperial Stout | 4.50 | | A swift half before departure, roasted coffee and Fuggles hops prevalent. |
| Goacher's - Real Mild Ale | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Goacher's - Gold Star | 5.10 | Not Tried |
09 Nov 2016 (ChrisE)
Early evening and already busy, we commented about the fact that we are still not used to this pub being warm during cold weather.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goacher's - Real Mild Ale | 3.40 | | |
| Goacher's - Fine Light Ale | 3.70 | | |
| Goacher's - Crown Imperial Stout | 4.50 | | A good way to finish a day out, an excellent stout. |
| Goacher's - Gold Star | 5.10 | Not Tried |
16 Sep 2016 (ChrisE)
Friday evening and busy as is usual these days. I learned that Goacher's Crown Imperial Stout has been brewed again.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goacher's - Fine Light Ale | 3.70 | | |
| Goacher's - Best Dark Ale (aka Original) | 4.10 | | |
| Goacher's - Real Mild Ale (now use separate 3.4% entry) | 3.60 | | |
| Goacher's - Gold Star | 5.10 | Not Tried |
24 Aug 2016 (ChrisE)
No trip to Maidstone would be complete without a visit to the Rifle although I do not always list my visits on this site. I arrived soon after 6pm opening and it was already busy, lots of the canine regulars as well. I had a good chat with one of the local Camra members about 4degrees, Mad Cat and Grammar School Records of Rye.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goacher's - Fine Light Ale | 3.70 | | |
| Goacher's - Real Mild Ale (now use separate 3.4% entry) | 3.60 | | |
| Goacher's - Best Dark Ale (aka Original) | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Goacher's - Gold Star | 5.10 | Not Tried |
26 Jul 2016 (Magnus Greel)
Early evening and busy..
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goacher's - Fine Light Ale | 3.70 | | Superb as always. |
| Goacher's - Best Dark Ale (aka Original) | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Goacher's - Gold Star | 5.10 | Not Tried | |
| Goacher's - Real Mild Ale (now use separate 3.4% entry) | 3.60 | Not Tried |
25 Jun 2016 (ChrisE)
Early evening from opening time for about one hour. A good crowd in from the start and busy when we left.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goacher's - Best Dark Ale (aka Original) | 4.10 | | Last one from the cask and really excellent. |
| Goacher's - Best Dark Ale (aka Original) | 4.10 | | One of the first from a new cask and just as good as the previous one. |
| Goacher's - Real Mild Ale | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Goacher's - Fine Light Ale | 3.70 | Not Tried | |
| Goacher's - Gold Star | 5.10 | Not Tried |
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