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Rifle Volunteers (Goacher's)

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Beer (sort)Average Score (sort)No. Samples (sort)
Goacher's - Fine Light AleExcellent5
Goacher's - Best Dark Ale (aka Original)Excellent2
Goacher's - Silver StarExcellent2
Goacher's - Crown Imperial StoutExcellent5
Goacher's - Real Mild AleExcellent6
Goacher's - Gold StarNot Tried0
Picture 1. Rifle Volunteers, Maidstone, Kent
Picture 2. Rifle Volunteers, Maidstone, Kent
Picture 3. Rifle Volunteers, Maidstone, Kent
Michael Croxford

Visits Details

01 Aug 2015 (ChrisE)
A busy lunchtime, I had a good chat with Gina who informed me that they will be selling the Green Hop Silver Star brews when they become available next month.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Goacher's - Real Mild Ale3.40Excellent
Goacher's - Fine Light Ale3.70Excellent
Goacher's - Silver Star4.20Excellent
Goacher's - Gold Star5.10Not Tried
23 Jul 2015 (Andrew)
Very friendly people running the pub. The interior is not really that much different than when Alan ran the pub (and that's a good thing!). I really liked my afternoon session here; drinking Goachers in the Church of Goacher.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Goacher's - Fine Light Ale3.70GoodFresh and orangey
Goacher's - Silver Star4.20GoodNice
Goacher's - Real Mild Ale3.40AcceptableFew floaters but perfectly drinkable
Goacher's - Gold Star5.10Not Tried
02 Jun 2015 (ChrisE)
Almost the full evening session. This pub now boasts four handpumps all of which were well used during the course of the evening. The pub was hosting a fun quiz and Gina laid on a few snacks at the bar. Disruption on South Eastern Trains meant that a few quizzers arrived slightly later than they intended.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Goacher's - Real Mild Ale3.40Excellent
Goacher's - Fine Light Ale3.70Excellent
Goacher's - Best Dark Ale (aka Original)4.10Excellent
Goacher's - Gold Star5.10Not Tried
26 May 2015 (ChrisE)
Lunchtime visit, I enjoyed one of Gina's excellent cheese and onion rolls for £1.50 which go very well with a pint. Electricians were busy installing the new cellar cooling unit which is replacing the old one that has not worked for two or three years. Gina told me that the Goacher's Dark is selling much better than expected and they had to pick up some more from the brewery to avoid running out.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Goacher's - Real Mild Ale3.40Excellent
Goacher's - Fine Light Ale3.70Excellent
Goacher's - Best Dark Ale (aka Original)4.10Excellent
16 May 2015 (Tobes)
Hand full in, garden improvements underway.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Goacher's - Real Mild Ale3.40Good
Goacher's - Fine Light Ale3.70Not Tried
Goacher's - Crown Imperial Stout4.50Not Tried
04 May 2015 (Dosser)
Few in, for a change.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Goacher's - Crown Imperial Stout4.50ExceptionalSuperb as always
12 Apr 2015 (Dosser)
Excellent conversation in this superbly run pub. Great to see Matt and Gina doing so well. Goldstar might be making an appearance soon! Cleanest glasses in Maidstone due to Gina's OCD problem with cleanliness.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Goacher's - Crown Imperial Stout4.50ExceptionalFirst class as always
06 Apr 2015 (ChrisE)
Early afternoon on a Bank Holiday Monday and very busy.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Goacher's - Real Mild Ale3.40ExcellentI had the last one out of one cask and one of the first drawn from a new cask, both were excellent.
Goacher's - Fine Light Ale3.70Excellent
Goacher's - Crown Imperial Stout4.50Excellent
03 Apr 2015 (Dosser)
Excellent atmosphere as usual. Matt and Gina have made a great start.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Goacher's - Crown Imperial Stout4.50ExceptionalTop quality
07 Mar 2015 (Tobes)
BeerABVScoreNotes
Goacher's - Crown Imperial Stout4.50Good
Goacher's - Real Mild Ale3.40Not Tried
Goacher's - Fine Light Ale3.70Not Tried

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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