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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 - Traditional |  | 5 |
| Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | | 4 |
| Westerham - Jubilation | | 1 |
| Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Copper Top | | 1 |
| Whitstable - Faversham Creek | | 1 |
| Westerham - Hop Rocket (superseded by 4.8% entry) | | 1 |
| Larkins - Best Bitter | | 1 |
| Harvey's - Knots of May Light Mild |  | 1 |
| Turners - Summer Ale | | 1 |
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | Not Tried | 0 |
| Rother Valley - Level Best | Not Tried | 0 |
| Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Red Top | Not Tried | 0 |
| Whitstable - Native Bitter | Not Tried | 0 |
Visits Details
06 Dec 2012 (Pedro)
Evening
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turners - Summer Ale | 3.90 | | Now a permanent under the name of East Sussex Bitter. but starting to go off! |
| Larkins - Traditional | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | 3.40 | Not Tried |
04 Jun 2012 (Wittenden)
A beer and seafood tent being run by this pub at the Market on the Moor on Jubilee Monday.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westerham - Jubilation | 4.00 | | Pale gold, crisp:a well hopped showcase for Kentish hops.Nettles and savoury spice. Epic. |
| Larkins - Traditional | 3.40 | Not 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.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Larkins - Traditional | 3.40 | | So much flavour :nutty and toffeeish-ideal. |
| Harvey's - Knots of May Light Mild | 3.00 | | Light brown and refreshing, unfortunately towards the end of the barrel. |
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | 3.40 | Not Tried |
11 May 2012 (thebrewingman)
Fairly quiet Friday lunchtime.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Larkins - Traditional | 3.40 | | Just what a session bitter should be like. |
| Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | 3.40 | | |
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Whitstable - Native Bitter | 3.70 | Not Tried |
03 Apr 2012 (thebrewingman)
Tuesday lunchtime and a few diners (including us).
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Larkins - Best Bitter | 4.40 | | |
| Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | 3.40 | | |
| Larkins - Traditional | 3.40 | Not Tried |
28 Jul 2011 (Pedro)
Evening
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westerham - Hop Rocket (superseded by 4.8% entry) | 4.30 | | |
| Larkins - Traditional | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | 3.40 | Not 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.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Larkins - Traditional | 3.40 | | Not 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 Creek | 3.80 | | It'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 Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Red Top | 3.80 | Not Tried | In the van, selling well. |
10 Mar 2011 (Pedro)
Evening visit
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Larkins - Traditional | 3.40 | | |
| Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | 3.40 | | |
| Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Copper Top | 4.10 | | |
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | Not 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.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Larkins - Traditional | 3.40 | | |
| Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | 3.40 | | |
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Rother Valley - Level Best | 4.00 | Not Tried |
About the Smugglers Ale House (formerly The Black Pig)
Summary of Beer Scores
| Total | |
|---|---|
 | - |
| 14 |
 | - |
| 2 |
 | - |
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.
Postcode: TN18 4PF