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Smugglers Ale House (formerly The Black Pig) (Free House)

We believe this building is NO LONGER a pub

Beer (sort)Average Score (sort)No. Samples (sort)
Larkins - Best BitterExcellent1
Larkins - TraditionalExcellent5
Dark Star - Hophead (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)Excellent4
Westerham - JubilationExcellent1
Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Copper TopExcellent1
Whitstable - Faversham CreekExcellent1
Westerham - Hop Rocket (superseded by 4.8% entry)Excellent1
Harvey's - Knots of May Light MildAcceptable1
Turners - Summer AleAcceptable1
Harvey's - Sussex Best BitterNot Tried0
Rother Valley - Level BestNot Tried0
Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Red TopNot Tried0
Whitstable - Native BitterNot Tried0
Picture 1. Smugglers Ale House (formerly The Black Pig), Hawkhurst, Kent

Visits Details

06 Dec 2012 (Pedro)
Evening
BeerABVScoreNotes
Turners - Summer Ale3.90AcceptableNow a permanent under the name of East Sussex Bitter. but starting to go off!
Larkins - Traditional3.40Not Tried
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Not Tried
Dark Star - Hophead (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)3.80Not Tried
04 Jun 2012 (Wittenden)
A beer and seafood tent being run by this pub at the Market on the Moor on Jubilee Monday.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Westerham - Jubilation4.00ExcellentPale gold, crisp:a well hopped showcase for Kentish hops.Nettles and savoury spice. Epic.
Larkins - Traditional3.40Not Tried
27 May 2012 (Wittenden)
The cooker was playing up, we'd been selling plants all day in the hot sun,so supper out was indicated. Pleasantly busy mid Sunday evening.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Larkins - Traditional3.40ExcellentSo much flavour :nutty and toffeeish-ideal.
Harvey's - Knots of May Light Mild3.00AcceptableLight brown and refreshing, unfortunately towards the end of the barrel.
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Not Tried
Dark Star - Hophead (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)3.80Not Tried
11 May 2012 (thebrewingman)
Fairly quiet Friday lunchtime.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Larkins - Traditional3.40ExcellentJust what a session bitter should be like.
Dark Star - Hophead (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)3.80Excellent
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Not Tried
Whitstable - Native Bitter3.70Not Tried
03 Apr 2012 (thebrewingman)
Tuesday lunchtime and a few diners (including us).
BeerABVScoreNotes
Larkins - Best Bitter4.40Excellent
Dark Star - Hophead (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)3.80Excellent
Larkins - Traditional3.40Not Tried
28 Jul 2011 (Pedro)
Evening
BeerABVScoreNotes
Westerham - Hop Rocket (superseded by 4.8% entry)4.00Excellent
Larkins - Traditional3.40Not Tried
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Not Tried
Dark Star - Hophead (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)3.80Not Tried
24 Jul 2011 (Wittenden)
A great improvement on its old role as the Cricketers.Late lunchtime on the first sunny Sunday for weeks. Diners in side, and family groups in the suntrap garden out back.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Larkins - Traditional3.40ExcellentNot actually tried in the pub, but from their event bar, one of those iconic french vans made from corrugated iron,which was doing a brisk trade at the Market on the Moor, just up the road.Larkin's seems to be back to their glory days, with a wonderful toffeish taste.One of my favourite brown beers!
Whitstable - Faversham Creek3.80ExcellentIt's a brave brewer who calls his beer "Faversham Creek", but this was prime:pale and nettley, with an end taste of plums.Good stuff.
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Not Tried
Dark Star - Hophead (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)3.80Not Tried
Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Red Top3.80Not TriedIn the van, selling well.
10 Mar 2011 (Pedro)
Evening visit
BeerABVScoreNotes
Larkins - Traditional3.40Excellent
Dark Star - Hophead (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)3.80Excellent
Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Copper Top4.10Excellent
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Not Tried
06 Mar 2011 (thebrewingman)
A busy Sunday (the second after opening) with most tables reserved. Four hand pumps serving Kent or Sussex beers with Whitstable and Hepworth beer on top pressure.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Larkins - Traditional3.40Excellent
Dark Star - Hophead (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)3.80Excellent
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Not Tried
Rother Valley - Level Best4.00Not Tried

About the Smugglers Ale House (formerly The Black Pig)

The pub sign. Smugglers Ale House (formerly The Black Pig), Hawkhurst, Kent

Summary of Beer Scores

 Total
Exceptional-
Excellent14
Good-
Acceptable2
Poor-

The pub is found in Hawkhurst, Kent, TN18 4PF.

In Moor Hill, was formerly known as Kent Cricketer and is owned by the same owners as the Bull at Benenden. Has been refurbished and the emphasis is on dining. Reinvented again in 2015 and renamed once more with an emphasis on beers and ciders rather than food. Closed in late 2016 and may be at risk of change of use. Now converted to offices use.

We have visited this pub 9 times, seen 13 different beers and tried 9 of them.

Map location

Postcode: TN18 4PF