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Jolly Woodman (Mitchells & Butlers)

Beer (sort)Average Score (sort)No. Samples (sort)
Hanlons (formerly O'Hanlon's) - Original Port StoutExcellent1
Adnams - Southwold BitterExcellent1
Timothy Taylor - LandlordGood5
Harvey's - Sussex Best BitterGood6
Hogs Back - HBBNot Tried0
Thwaites - Wainwright (please now use the Banks's entry)Not Tried0
Sharp's - Doom BarNot Tried0
Hogs Back - Tongham TEA (previously T.E.A.)Not Tried0
Black Sheep - Best BitterNot Tried0
Black Sheep - Monty Python's Holy GrailNot Tried0
Otter - BitterNot Tried0
Purity - Mad GooseNot Tried0
Camden Town - Camden Pale AleNot Tried0
Dark Star - Hophead (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)Not Tried0
Adnams - Ghost ShipNot Tried0
Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - London PrideNot Tried0
St Austell - TributeNot Tried0
Banks's - Young's London Original (was Bitter) - previously brewed in Bedford and at WychwoodNot Tried0
Picture 1. Jolly Woodman, Beckenham, Greater London
Jason Jones

Visits Details

09 Sep 2023 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00AcceptableCompared with previous night's example a severe downturn. Sourish in taste and holding little head or lacing
Timothy Taylor - Landlord4.30Not Tried
Dark Star - Hophead (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)3.80Not Tried
Adnams - Ghost Ship4.50Not Tried
08 Sep 2023 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening visit, balmy night.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00GoodOverchilled just too much for its full flavours to come out
Timothy Taylor - Landlord4.30Not Tried
Dark Star - Hophead (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)3.80Not Tried
Adnams - Ghost Ship4.50Not Tried
27 Jun 2023 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening visit until close by which time all the back room unused chairs and stools were already upturned on unused tables and bench seats. Pub with a bit of a patrician feel.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00ExcellentVery much at the fruity end of this ale's possible taste spectrum
Timothy Taylor - Landlord4.30ExcellentSuch a taste profile contrast to the Harvey's Best
Dark Star - Hophead (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)3.80Not Tried
04 May 2022 (Philip Pirrip)
Wasted late evening visit. Closed up shop - blackboard outside shows all closing times as "Until close". Presumably means don't bother to come here late mate. Whatever has happened to this once upon a time beerhouse gem?
BeerABVScoreNotes
16 Oct 2017 (Magnus Greel)
Late afternoon and fairly busy around the bar. Still a basic no frills back street boozer. Superb.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00GoodMissed a point due to being served too cold.
Timothy Taylor - Landlord4.30Not Tried
Otter - Bitter3.60Not Tried
Banks's - Young's London Original (was Bitter) - previously brewed in Bedford and at Wychwood3.70Not Tried
Purity - Mad Goose4.20Not Tried
Camden Town - Camden Pale Ale4.50Not Tried
22 Jun 2017 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening until 11pm close. Really do wish that the staff could wait until the punters have vacated the premises before placing upturned chairs on to tables and bench seating.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Timothy Taylor - Landlord4.30AcceptableQuite average, just maybe the pint at The Chancery next door has mucked up my palate as I only got any sort of Landlord taste near the bottom of this pint
Hogs Back - Tongham TEA (previously T.E.A.)4.20Not Tried
Banks's - Young's London Original (was Bitter) - previously brewed in Bedford and at Wychwood3.70Not TriedUnbelievably the clip is one of those still misleadingly showing The Ram Brewery Wandsworth, even though I had got Charles Wells to send them replacements on my last visit in 2013!
Black Sheep - Monty Python's Holy Grail4.00Not Tried
12 Jul 2016 (Magnus Greel)
First customer on 4pm opening time. Last visit around 25 years ago and still the same basic boozer as then.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Timothy Taylor - Landlord4.30GoodS
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Not Tried
Sharp's - Doom Bar4.00Not TriedI was so so tempted....
Hogs Back - Tongham TEA (previously T.E.A.)4.20Not Tried
Banks's - Young's London Original (was Bitter) - previously brewed in Bedford and at Wychwood3.70Not Tried
Black Sheep - Best Bitter3.80Not Tried
15 Sep 2013 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening latish. Even at this hour a good old beer swilling alehouse.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Timothy Taylor - Landlord4.30PoorTaste killed by over-chilling. Poor head retention may be related. Condensation stayed on glass even for 15 minutes of slow supping
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Not TriedJust run out
Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - London Pride4.10Not Tried
Banks's - Young's London Original (was Bitter) - previously brewed in Bedford and at Wychwood3.70Not TriedTut tut. Clip in use still shows The Ram Brewery Wandsworth. Not right in these days of localism and interest in provenance
Hogs Back - HBB3.70Not Tried
Thwaites - Wainwright (please now use the Banks's entry)4.10Not Tried
17 Jun 2012 (Philip Pirrip)
Middle late evening to end of session visit. Thriving throughout and busy at the dartboard. All real ales at £3.60 per pint I think.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00ExcellentFirst rate temperature and condition
Timothy Taylor - Landlord4.30Excellent
St Austell - Tribute4.20Not Tried
Banks's - Young's London Original (was Bitter) - previously brewed in Bedford and at Wychwood3.70Not Tried
Hogs Back - HBB3.70Not Tried
26 Dec 2009 (ChrisE)
I arrived before the pub opened thanks to amazingly good bus connections and main line trains. I was invited in to await opening whilst the staff re-stocked the shelves. The pub soon got busy with family groups enjoying a Boxing Day drink. A superb pub that I will definitely return to.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Excellent
Hanlons (formerly O'Hanlon's) - Original Port Stout4.80ExcellentAn amazing black beer. Creamy and full of flavour.
Adnams - Southwold Bitter3.70ExcellentExcellent pint with the true Adnams taste.
Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - London Pride4.10Not Tried
Timothy Taylor - Landlord4.30Not Tried

About the Jolly Woodman

The pub sign. Jolly Woodman, Beckenham, Greater London

Summary of Beer Scores

 Total
Exceptional-
Excellent7
Good3
Acceptable2
Poor1

Website.

The pub is found in Beckenham, Greater London, BR3 6NR.

A traditional pub in Chancery Lane, with three regular ales, and up to two guest beers. The single bar is in two areas with children restricted to the rear area. Outside loos in the rear courtyard. One of the last beer only licensed houses in London (selling Charrington IPA) at the time of the early CAMRA Good Beer Guides but not any more. 6 handpumps sported on the bar counter. Operates an advertised "Until close" closing time so beware if visiting late in the day as there are no certainties.

We have visited this pub 10 times, seen 18 different beers and tried 4 of them.

Map location

Postcode: BR3 6NR