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Grove Tavern (Free House)
| Beer (sort) | Average Score (sort) | No. Samples (sort) |
|---|---|---|
| Kent - Pale |  | 1 |
| King Beer (formerly W.J. King) - Kings Old Ale | | 1 |
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | | 2 |
| 1648 - Smokey Nol | | 1 |
| Brakspear (at Marston's Wychwood then at Banks's) - Gravity (was Bitter) | | 1 |
| Timothy Taylor - Landlord | | 1 |
| Moorhouse's - White Witch |  | 1 |
| Rother Valley - Boadicea Ale | | 1 |
| Flying Monk - Mighty Monk | | 1 |
| Rudgate - Jorvik Blonde | Not Tried | 0 |
| Westerham - 1965 Special Bitter Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Marston's - Pedigree New World Pale Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
Visits Details
30 Aug 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
5th stop on the outing: Busy with locals seated around the bar area for our mid afternoon visit. We sat towards the back and chatted to some of the locals up that end of the bar. Said to be oldest pub in town, it does not do food but is very dog friendly with a jar or two of biscuits especially for them. Regulars are known to bring their own snacks in to share but not on this visit I hasten to add. Three real ales on, on our visit and prompt friendly service from the barman.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moorhouse's - White Witch | 3.90 | | Very good head and lacing and lasting throughout on this Burnley-based blonde ale from north-east of Blackburn. A dry bitter first bite on this lightly straw-coloured ale. A hoppy bitterness rising with a citrus taste shining through. A moreishly dry hoppiness winning over aided by its Cascade and Centennial hops. A dry bitterness drifting off. Legend has it that a white witch transformed into a white owl, soaring over the dark forest of Pendle Hill. This is an isolated hill in Lancashire infamous for its connections to the 1612 Pendle Witch Trials. It was also the site where George Fox, founder of the Quakers, had a spiritual experience by all accounts. |
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Timothy Taylor - Landlord | 4.30 | Not Tried |
04 Aug 2019 (Magnus Greel)
Late afternoon to early evening very busy in this proper no frills back street locals pub. Friendly welcome from the guvnor and the locals encouraged us to stay longer than planned.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brakspear (at Marston's Wychwood then at Banks's) - Gravity (was Bitter) | 3.40 | | Fruity spicy and peppery dark beer in superb condition hence I had to have another to make sure. |
| Flying Monk - Mighty Monk | 4.30 | | Hints of hops otherwise rather bland |
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Timothy Taylor - Landlord | 4.30 | Not Tried |
04 Dec 2015 (Stephen Harris)
A long time since I have been in here. Good locals’ atmosphere, but welcoming to strangers.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | | A superb example of this classic Bitter. |
| Timothy Taylor - Landlord | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Westerham - 1965 Special Bitter Ale | 4.80 | Not Tried | |
| Marston's - Pedigree New World Pale Ale | 3.80 | Not Tried |
04 Feb 2015 (thebrewingman)
Third port of call. Mid afternoon and a nice fire warming the bar.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| King Beer (formerly W.J. King) - Kings Old Ale | 4.50 | | |
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Timothy Taylor - Landlord | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Kent - Pale | 4.00 | Not Tried |
31 Jul 2012 (Martin the Mildman)
Busy with the Olympics on TV and the pool table in use.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kent - Pale | 4.00 | | Classic pale ale with good citrus hop character balanced by a good malt base. Good citrus hop finish. My score 16/20. |
26 Feb 2011 (Pedro)
Afternoon
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Timothy Taylor - Landlord | 4.30 | | |
| Rother Valley - Boadicea Ale | 4.50 | | |
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Rudgate - Jorvik Blonde | 3.80 | Not Tried |
15 Jan 2010 (Ian)
Sat in the pub using the free wifi, this is a great pub. Friday evening with many locals in and general air of relaxing after a hard week. I sat drinking my perfectly served beer, having a wonderful time.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | | The best bitter in Britain? Possibly. Carbonation just lets this down in the fact that it is too carbonated. Flavours and finish are awesome. |
| 1648 - Smokey Nol | 4.70 | | Very deep ruby almost black with a disappearing beige head. Smoke and dark fruit aroma, some sour dark cherry/blackberry type fruit. Unfortunately a woman with unbelievably strong perfume has decided to stand in front of me so I can’t smell anything apart from her. Hoping she will move. Blackberry and damson aroma is excellent. Perfect condition in mouth and served perfectly. This is one of the best British smoked beers I’ve had. Stunning. Smoke and juicy dark fruits with a bit of a hop sting on finish. Stunning beer. I had just had an Orval and for something to make me feel this good, has got to be good. Maybe just a bit too juicy/watery on the malts. But still a hell of a beer. |
| Timothy Taylor - Landlord | 4.30 | Not Tried |
About the Grove Tavern
Summary of Beer Scores
| Total | |
|---|---|
 | - |
| 7 |
| 3 |
 | - |
 | - |
The pub is found in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN1 1YR.
Corner pub up the hill from the old High Street/Pantiles, but still only 10 minutes from the railway station. Pool table and darts with a central wooden bar. Lots of wood in evidence. Free wifi. 3 handpumps with Harvey's Sussex Best Bitter and Timothy Taylor's Landlord as permanents with a changing guest. Website is excellent. Classic pub.
We have visited this pub 7 times, seen 12 different beers and tried 9 of them.
Postcode: TN1 1YR