PubsandBeer
The Bull (Free House)
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| Beer (sort) | Average Score (sort) | No. Samples (sort) |
|---|---|---|
| Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) |  | 1 |
| Marble - McKenna's Reprise Porter | | 1 |
| Oakham - Hawse Buckler | | 2 |
| Fat Cat - Ol' Puss | | 1 |
| Dark Star - Brewers Reserve |  | 1 |
| Dark Star - Sussex Extra Stout | | 1 |
| Marble - JP Best | | 1 |
| Marble - Ginger Marble | | 1 |
| Beowulf - Finn's Hall Porter | | 1 |
| Mad Squirrel (formerly Red Squirrel) - IPA | | 1 |
| Meantime - Chocolate | | 1 |
| Oakham - JHB | | 1 |
| Marble - Lagonda IPA | | 1 |
| Newby Wyke - Deck-Aid | | 1 |
| Pictish - Brewers Gold | | 1 |
| Dark Star - Winter Meltdown | | 2 |
| Marble - Manchester Bitter | | 1 |
| Oakham - Inferno | | 2 |
| Coniston - Special Oatmeal Stout | | 1 |
| Marble - Pint (was 3.9%) | | 1 |
| Newby Wyke - Red Squall | | 2 |
| Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - Gale's HSB | | 1 |
| Dark Star - American Pale Ale (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | | 2 |
| Dark Star - Smoke |  | 1 |
| Oakham - White Dwarf | | 1 |
| Dark Star - Victorian Ruby Mild | | 2 |
| Newby Wyke - England Expects (superseded by 4.6% version) | | 1 |
| Pictish - Liberty | | 1 |
| Greenfield - Monkey Business | | 1 |
| Dark Star - Best Bitter | Not Tried | 0 |
| Oakham - Bishops Farewell | Not Tried | 0 |
| Dark Star - Golden Gate | Not Tried | 0 |
| Newby Wyke - Kingston Topaz | Not Tried | 0 |
| Newby Wyke - White Squall | Not Tried | 0 |
| Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - ESB | Not Tried | 0 |
| Dark Star - Critical Mass | Not Tried | 0 |
| Fuzzy Duck - Shining Wit | Not Tried | 0 |
| Meantime - London Pale Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Dark Star - Winter Solstice | Not Tried | 0 |
Visits Details
26 Jan 2009 (Dubbel)
Quiet Monday evening with only a handful of die-hard regulars around the bar. Also the owners' day off so had a good chat with long-standing barmaid Joyce.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Star - Victorian Ruby Mild | 6.00 | | Nice again. Had mellowed slightly over the weekend but I still prefer the Sarah Hughes effort. |
| Pictish - Liberty | 4.60 | | Was pinning my hopes on a single-hop world beater here but alas was not to be. Still very nice, golden with a greenish tinge, a thin body, biscuity malts and a classic yankee hop finish but a little disjointed and just not quite full enough. |
| Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Dark Star - Winter Solstice | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Beowulf - Finn's Hall Porter | 4.70 | Not Tried |
23 Jan 2009 (Dubbel)
Very lively Friday evening. Some of the afternoon stragglers were leaving in a merry state as I arrived just after 6pm. As always, the happy, sociable atmosphere lifted me out of my workday blues.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | 3.40 | | Fragrant and punchy. After a couple of surpar batches, this king of session beers is back to its awe-inspiring best. |
| Beowulf - Finn's Hall Porter | 4.70 | | Opaque black, meaty nose, liquorice notes and heavy smoky malts. Thick with a drying finish. Wonderful |
| Dark Star - Victorian Ruby Mild | 6.00 | | Deep ruby, strong red malts dominate a complex vineous, full bodied finish. Has potential to grow on me. |
| Dark Star - Winter Solstice | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Newby Wyke - Kingston Topaz | 4.20 | Not Tried |
16 Jan 2009 (Dubbel)
A splendid line-up of beers. The only way to unwind after a long week.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fat Cat - Ol' Puss | 6.00 | | Fantastic mahogany-brown spiced ale. Thick and bursting with flavour. This got a unanimous thumbs up from all around the bar (apart from the Fosters philistine who found it "revolting"). |
| Dark Star - American Pale Ale (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | 4.70 | | Much fruitier than last time and a pleasure to drink. Almost back to its sublime best. |
| Pictish - Brewers Gold | 3.80 | | Delicious bright golden, delicately hopped with pleasant citrus notes. A session beer to really throw down your neck with glee. |
| Greenfield - Monkey Business | 4.00 | | Gold with an 'arsey' hop smack and strong earthy flavour. Rough and ready but no disaster. |
| Dark Star - Sussex Extra Stout | 4.50 | Not Tried |
03 Jan 2009 (Dubbel)
After a long two week gap, order was restored with a Saturday night visit. It's not often I go this late in the evening. The atmosphere was very relaxed, log fire crackling away with a mixture of friendly regulars and a couple of parties of first-time visitors. The hosts were both suffering from the lurgy but still made the effort to welcome and chat with everyone. Currently serving two draft Meantime beers in addition to the usual five cask ales.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Star - Sussex Extra Stout | 4.50 | | Now labelled 'Traditional Sussex Stout' and a permanent brew for 2009. Oaty and wholesome with some liquorice notes and grassy hops. Cracking. |
| Meantime - Chocolate | 6.50 | | First time I've had this on draught. Thought a pint of it might prove too rich but I dove in as it's soon to be replaced by Winter Time. Pudding-like dark chocolate malts, silky smooth with some sweetness but not too cloying, unlike the Robinsons Chocolate Tom. |
| Dark Star - American Pale Ale (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | 4.70 | | First batch of the new year-round APA rushed onto the pumps. A bit 'green' and probably needed a day or two to develop fully into the awesome all-rounder that we loved so much last spring. |
| Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - ESB | 5.50 | Not Tried | |
| Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Fuzzy Duck - Shining Wit | 3.60 | Not Tried | |
| Meantime - London Pale Ale | 4.30 | Not Tried |
19 Dec 2008 (Dubbel)
After work on Friday the pub was busily being readied for the Christmas Party crowd, the food looked amazing. Plenty of loyal regulars surrounded the bar enjoying huge complimentary mince pies too. 18 pint polypin take-outs currently available for the holiday season.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newby Wyke - Red Squall | 4.40 | | See 02 Dec. |
| Coniston - Special Oatmeal Stout | 4.50 | | Excellent oaty traditional stout, strong dark malts and a leafy dry finish. Very drinkable. |
| Newby Wyke - England Expects (superseded by 4.6% version) | 4.50 | | Golden, lemongrass notes, heavily-hopped lively beer has a dry, slightly bitter finish. |
| Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - Gale's HSB | 4.80 | Not Tried |
04 Dec 2008 (Dubbel)
Lively convivial atmosphere with the Bingo Quiz coinciding with the start of the Marble Brewery Showcase. Some fantastic beers available and a free buffet provided.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marble - McKenna's Reprise Porter | 4.50 | | Textbook porter: thick, black, nutty, burnt, coffee hints with a boozy port/brandy finish. Could not be improved. |
| Marble - Ginger Marble | 4.50 | | Dispensed with a slight haze but flavour was unaffected. Knockout ginger ale, probably the best example of its kind. |
| Marble - Lagonda IPA | 5.00 | | Amber hues, peppery palate and long, bright hop finish. |
| Marble - Manchester Bitter | 4.20 | | Delicious biscuity light golden ale with crisp hops. |
| Oakham - Hawse Buckler | 5.60 | | Not quite as exceptional as the sample from 25 Nov. More bitterness this time with not so many ripe fruits to counterbalance the astringency. |
| Marble - Pint (was 3.9%) | 3.40 | | Eminently drinkable, light, refreshing and delicately hopped with citrus and piney flavours. More please! |
| Dark Star - Brewers Reserve | 4.50 | | Once-a-year special ale provided to the brewery's top 50 customers with no expense spared in the production. Shimmering gold with Japanese Sorachi Ace, Glacier and Galena hops and a selection of three malts that gives a unique bizarre flavour. |
| Marble - JP Best | 4.30 | | Amber gold, dry and grassy, juicy bitter hops and orangey undertones. Excellent. |
| Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - ESB | 5.50 | Not Tried | |
| Newby Wyke - Red Squall | 4.40 | Not Tried | |
| Dark Star - Critical Mass | 7.80 | Not Tried |
02 Dec 2008 (Dubbel)
Just the 3 ales available yesterday as the stock is cleared in preparation for the Marble Beers Showcase starting Thursday. Rather quiet evening too. Midweek specials for £3 still in plentiful supply - the Pheasant Stew (hunted by one of the villagers) was scrumptious.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Star - Winter Meltdown | 5.00 | | See 15 Nov. |
| Newby Wyke - Red Squall | 4.40 | | Deep ruby with cockle-warming red malts and ripened fruits and a fresh, easy-drinking finish. Pick of the bunch. |
| Dark Star - Smoke | 5.00 | | Disappointing when compared to previous samples. Strong 'rauchy' smoked cheese nose and flavour but this time lacking the voluptuous porter-like body that would normally make this a stand-out 5 star brew. Bad batch. |
25 Nov 2008 (Dubbel)
Lured down for an early week visit by the presence of the statuesque Oakham Hawse Buckler. Tuesday to Thursday the pub also sell Lynne's midweek specials, a choice of about five main courses, for £3. The lamb rissoles with mash and seasonal veg were outstanding value.
Ales coming soon include: Dark Star Brewer's Reserve 4.5%, Dark Star Critical Mass 7.8% and Oakham Attila 7.5%
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakham - Hawse Buckler | 5.60 | | Described by the landlord as "quite possibly the best ale we've ever had on", and they've had some corkers recently. Selling very well for its strength. Thick, carbon black, strong porter scent and an explosion of ripened fruits and burnt charcoal flavours. Simply magnificent. |
| Oakham - White Dwarf | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Newby Wyke - Kingston Topaz | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Newby Wyke - White Squall | 4.80 | Not Tried |
22 Nov 2008 (Dubbel)
Busy Saturday lunch. Home-made lamb shank pie stood out among the daily specials. Lively atmosphere during the England v South Africa mauling. Beer faultless as ever.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mad Squirrel (formerly Red Squirrel) - IPA | 4.10 | | Amber with a tight white head. Big hitting yankee hopped bruising pale ale. Bitter hops and a strong phenolic warmth throughout. Not for the easily offended. |
| Newby Wyke - Deck-Aid | 4.00 | | Very pale, 2 varieties of US hops providing a bright, zesty palate and a subtle, almost smoky finish. Very good indeed. |
| Oakham - Inferno | 4.00 | | This ran out shortly after we arrived. Still on top form however. See 15 Nov. |
| Oakham - White Dwarf | 4.30 | | First pint from the barrel. Clear, clean and crisp with a sharp lemon bite. Less inspiring for me than most of the Oakham range. |
| Oakham - Bishops Farewell | 4.60 | Not Tried | |
| Dark Star - Golden Gate | 4.50 | Not Tried |
15 Nov 2008 (Dubbel)
Much needed tonic after a few days out of the country. Friendly faces surrounded the bar. England v Australia on the TV.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakham - JHB | 3.80 | | Light and fruity conversion ale. Easily approached, served from gravity on the back of the bar. |
| Dark Star - Winter Meltdown | 5.00 | | Hardwood brown malty premium bitter with addition of ginger spice which works as well, if not better than the golden Summer Meltdown. |
| Oakham - Inferno | 4.00 | | Very pale, very dry bitter, ridiculously drinkable. |
| Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - Gale's HSB | 4.80 | | In as fine a form as 07 Nov. |
| Dark Star - Best Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried |
About The Bull
Summary of Beer Scores
| Total | |
|---|---|
| 62 |
| 156 |
| 68 |
 | 14 |
 | 5 |
The pub is found in Horton Kirby, Kent, DA4 9DF.
Outstanding genuine freehouse. Ever-changing selection of guest ales and ciders, many rare to the area served in consistently excellent condition. Regular beer festivals, discos, BBQs and various other events. Monthly brewery showcase (1st weekend of the month) with at least six ales from one particular enterprising brewery. Friendly atmosphere and great home-cooked food (Tues-Sun) made with locally-sourced ingredients. Gravesend & Darent Valley CAMRA Pub of the Year 2008 and 2009 and West of Kent Pub of the Year 2009.
We have visited this pub 91 times, seen 200 different beers and tried 156 of them.
Postcode: DA4 9DF