The Grove (Free House)
Stephen Harris
Visits Details
30 Mar 2013 (Stephen Harris)
Wonderful pub, which I have only managed to visit once before. This was a late arrival and too-brief stay up to closing time, during which the pub remained busy throughout. There were so many cask beers available that we deliberately didn’t even look on the keg taps and in the fridges, where many more wonders lurked.
Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Jaipur Dry-Hopped | 5.90 | | More than just a one-off, this is a distinct beer that has its own individual pump-clip. I have no information on the hops used, but they deliver a massive, sherbety, lemony hop hit. I also thought I was detecting a slight toffeeness to the background. Almost too much flavour in this one. |
Blue Monkey - Marmoset | 3.60 | | A golden and hoppy beer. |
Mordue - Bunny Hop | 4.50 | | An amber beer with a rather sticky malt taste. But a bit unfair to drink it immediately following the Thornbridge hop monster. |
Timothy Taylor - Landlord | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Seasider | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
Durham - Magus | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
Dark Star - Critical Mass | 7.80 | Not Tried | |
Marble - Pint (was 3.9%) | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
Buxton - Buxton Spa | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
Kent - Porter | 5.50 | Not Tried | |
RedWillow - Wreckless | 4.80 | Not Tried | |
Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - Gale's Spring Sprinter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
Magic Rock - Curious | 3.90 | Not Tried | |
Magic Rock - High Wire | 5.50 | Not Tried | |
Williams Brothers - March of the Penguins | 4.90 | Not Tried | |
Buxton - Rednik Stout | 4.10 | Not Tried | I realised today that Rednik is Kinder spelled backwards. |
Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Karha | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
Canterbury Brewers - The Hoppit | 8.10 | Not Tried | |
23 Nov 2012 (Martin the Mildman)
Busy late on a Friday afternoon.
Silver Brewhouse (formerly Raw) - Marvellous | 3.90 | | Hoppy amber bitter with good citrus hop character balanced by some sweet maltiness. Dry, citrus hop finish. My score 15/20. |
11 Jun 2011 (Flying.geordie)
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Bolshevic Soviet Sweet Stout | 8.00 | | |
18 Dec 2009 (Flying.geordie)
Arrived at opening time 12 noon. A few customers by leaving time at 1pm.
Rother Valley - Copper Ale | 4.10 | | |
Weltons - Rucking Gold | 4.10 | | |
Langham - Autumn Ale | 4.40 | | |
Idle - Illusion | 4.00 | | |
29 Jul 2009 (Flying.geordie)
18 Handles on show with nine regular and nine guest ales.
Wild Walker - Last Orders | 3.80 | | |
Whitehaven - Darkest Ennerdale | 4.20 | | |
Cambridge Moonshine (see also Moonshine) - Pigs Ear Porter | 4.50 | | |
18 Jul 2009 (Martin the Mildman)
Mallinsons - Skoda Stout | 4.70 | | Excellent roasty and full bodied stout with a lingering roast bitter aftertaste. My score 17/20. |
16 Jul 2009 (Ian)
Immediately became one of the best pubs I have been into in the UK. I love the interior with the central bar serving the 2 rooms, I love the artwork on the walls, I love the 18 handpumps, one of which always has Thornbridge Jaipur, I love the snack list featuring excellent pork pies and I love the bottle list as I had a bottle each of the Thornbridge Alliance Reserve and Pedro Ximenex aged cask. I'm already working out how and when I can get back.
Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Jaipur | 5.90 | | Perfect. Great hops, great drinkability |
De Molen - Hemel & Aarde | 9.50 | | Black with thin tan head. It’s outstanding. Great black choc flavour, bitter smooth and drinkable. Doesn’t taste of 9.5% even. Drinkability. Chewy and unbelievably choccy and good. Lacks a little in mouthfeel choc is outstanding, bit of tar. |