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Halfway House (Free House)

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Beer (sort)Average Score (sort)No. Samples (sort)
Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Silver TopExcellent1
Rother Valley - Hoppers AleExcellent1
Stonehenge - Sign of SpringExcellent1
Long Man - Old ManExcellent1
Rother Valley - SmildExcellent2
Tonbridge - RusticExcellent3
Goacher's - Gold StarExcellent1
Whitstable - Winkle PickerExcellent1
Dark Star - 80 ShillingExcellent1
Skinner's - Betty Stogs BitterExcellent1
Ilkley - Mary JaneExcellent1
Canterbury Brewers - Engenious StoutExcellent1
Dark Star - The Art of DarknessExcellent1
Tonbridge - Brenchley BestExcellent1
Dark Star - American Pale Ale (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)Excellent1
Salopian - Shropshire GoldExcellent1
Tonbridge - Blonde AmbitionExcellent1
Three Acre - West Coast PaleExcellent1
Kent - Session PaleExcellent2
Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)Excellent1
Rother Valley - Golden Valley Wheat BeerExcellent1
Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Wild HopGood1
Kent - Horsmonden PaleGood1
Rother Valley - AllianceGood1
Goacher's - Fine Light AleGood2
Westerham - 1965 Special Bitter AleAcceptable1
Triple fff - Alton's PrideNot Tried0
Nelson - Pieces of EightNot Tried0
Hastings - Hastings PorterNot Tried0
Rother Valley - Level BestNot Tried0
Rother Valley - Copper AleNot Tried0
Sunny Republic - Beach BlondeNot Tried0
Exmoor - GoldNot Tried0
Dark Star - OriginalNot Tried0
Hastings - HPANot Tried0
Tring - Side Pocket for a ToadNot Tried0
Nelson - Pursers Pussy PorterNot Tried0
Hastings - Best BitterNot Tried0
Nelson - Friggin in the RigginNot Tried0
Whitstable - Pearl of KentNot Tried0
Tonbridge - TraditionalNot Tried0
Goddards - Ale of WightNot Tried0
Frome (formerly Milk Street) - The Usual (at one time 4.1%)Not Tried0
Rother Valley - Anniversary AleNot Tried0
Dark Star - FestivalNot Tried0
Rudgate - VikingNot Tried0
Langham - Halfway to HeavenNot Tried0
Rudgate - Battle AxeNot Tried0
Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Red TopNot Tried0
Tonbridge - Winter SolaceNot Tried0
Stonehenge - PigswillNot Tried0
Goddards - ScrumdiggityNot Tried0
Adnams - BroadsideNot Tried0
RCH - Hewish IPANot Tried0
Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Blue TopNot Tried0
Eagle (formerly Wells & Young's, formerly Charles Wells, formerly Wells) - Young's London Special (was Special)Not Tried0
RCH - PG SteamNot Tried0
Whitstable - Renaissance Ruby MildNot Tried0
Cellar Head - Sub ThreeNot Tried0
Exmoor - AleNot Tried0
Dark Star - Partridge Best BitterNot Tried0
Long Man - Best BitterNot Tried0
Tring - Jack O LegsNot Tried0
Tonbridge - CoppernobNot Tried0
St Austell - Cornish Best (was 3.5%)Not Tried0
Goacher's - Special House AleNot Tried0
Moorhouse's - Premier Bitter (was 3.8%)Not Tried0
Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Spring TopNot Tried0
Koomor (contract brewed at Iron Pier) - EarthNot Tried0
Greene King - Tolly Cobbold Tolly English AleNot Tried0
Whitstable - Native BitterNot Tried0
Nelson - Admiral IPANot Tried0
Tonbridge - Ebony MoonNot Tried0
Goacher's - Best Dark Ale (aka Original)Not Tried0
Whitstable - Bohemium LagerNot Tried0
Hastings - Hastings BlondeNot Tried0
Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Kentish Session IPANot Tried0
Whitstable - East India Pale Ale (or EIPA)Not Tried0
Picture 1. Halfway House, Brenchley, Kent

Visits Details

24 Sep 2024 (Magnus Greel)
Not been to this gem of a pub since 2010 and its not changed a bit. Friendly and welcoming we chatted with the locals mulling over the area's beer scene..
BeerABVScoreNotes
Tonbridge - Brenchley Best4.50ExcellentMalty, sweet and smooth collaboration brew between the Halfway House and Tonbridge Brewery
Three Acre - West Coast Pale5.60ExcellentA special relationship of punchy UK & US grown hops create a blend of prominent hoppy, citrus and stone fruit in this easy drinking West Coast Pale Ale.
Goacher's - Fine Light Ale3.70Not Tried
Goacher's - Gold Star5.10Not Tried
Tonbridge - Rustic4.00Not Tried
Kent - Session Pale3.70Not Tried
Long Man - Best Bitter4.00Not Tried
Kent - Horsmonden Pale4.30Not Tried
29 Feb 2024 (Andrew)
Stop five. I've not been here since 2007. Ian couldn't work out what made him not love the place. Personally I think it was the write walls and ceiling - too much reflected light. But anyway, a very nice pub. No Larkins on though, which was dissappointing.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Goacher's - Fine Light Ale3.70GoodNice pint of light
Goacher's - Gold Star5.10Not Tried
Tonbridge - Ebony Moon4.20Not Tried
Tonbridge - Rustic4.00Not Tried
Kent - Session Pale3.70Not Tried
Long Man - Best Bitter4.00Not Tried
Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Kentish Session IPA4.30Not Tried
Kent - Horsmonden Pale4.30Not Tried
Tonbridge - Brenchley Best4.50Not Tried
29 Feb 2024 (Dosser)
Chris Excels memorial bus tour continues. My first visit and what a pub. 8 ales available all at £4.60. Great choice and such a pity its rained so much.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Goacher's - Gold Star5.10ExcellentTop quality ale.
Kent - Horsmonden Pale4.30GoodBit flattish but in reasonable condition.
04 Oct 2022 (Jack William)
Lunchtime- meeting friends for lunch from Rochester and Brighton - aptly named for our get together. My first visit here and I was very impressed. A genuine Freehouse with a fascinating interior. All ales from the barrel - a good traditional bitter called Brenchley Best from Tonbridge at 4.5% and a Horsmonded Pale from Kent at 4.3% also on.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Kent - Session Pale3.70Excellent
Goacher's - Fine Light Ale3.70Not Tried
Tonbridge - Rustic4.00Not Tried
Long Man - Best Bitter4.00Not Tried
St Austell - Cornish Best (was 3.5%)3.40Not Tried
Koomor (contract brewed at Iron Pier) - Earth4.80Not Tried
07 Oct 2018 (Wittenden)
We came to meet Anne for lunch on a pleasant October Sunday. We sat up in the snug and enjoyed our beer.Busy with drinkers and diners.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Tonbridge - Rustic4.00ExcellentFarmyard,grand stuff.
Rother Valley - Hoppers Ale4.40ExcellentListed as Green Hop.Resinous,Morello Cherries. Thunderingly good.
Goacher's - Fine Light Ale3.70GoodLacked a bit of that Goacher's earthiness.
Kent - Session Pale3.70GoodMuted.
Goacher's - Special House Ale3.80Not Tried
Adnams - Broadside4.70Not Tried
Eagle (formerly Wells & Young's, formerly Charles Wells, formerly Wells) - Young's London Special (was Special)4.50Not Tried
Cellar Head - Sub Three2.70Not Tried
04 Jan 2016 (Wittenden)
A wet January Monday lunchtime,allegedly the nation's first day at work.After doing some, we met the rest of the family in an upper room, and watched the antics of a man fettling a wickerwork horse in the garden.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Tonbridge - Rustic4.00ExcellentOn gravity. Good dark best bitter:blackberries.
Goacher's - Fine Light Ale3.70Not Tried
Whitstable - East India Pale Ale (or EIPA)4.10Not Tried
Skinner's - Betty Stogs Bitter4.00Not Tried
Langham - Halfway to Heaven3.50Not Tried
Westerham - 1965 Special Bitter Ale4.80Not Tried
Tonbridge - Winter Solace4.80Not Tried
01 Sep 2013 (Wittenden)
Early evening, fleeting visit.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Rother Valley - Smild3.80ExcellentDark, dry mild with a fair amount of hops.
Goacher's - Fine Light Ale3.70Not Tried
Skinner's - Betty Stogs Bitter4.00Not Tried
Tonbridge - Coppernob3.80Not Tried
Westerham - 1965 Special Bitter Ale4.80Not Tried
Canterbury Brewers - Engenious Stout4.20Not Tried
23 Aug 2013 (thebrewingman)
First day of their Bank Holiday Weekend Beer Festival. Sixty beers on the card. I have only listed the five I tried today.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Salopian - Shropshire Gold3.80Excellent
Rother Valley - Golden Valley Wheat Beer4.20Excellent
Long Man - Old Man4.30Excellent
Dark Star - 80 Shilling4.80Excellent
Canterbury Brewers - Engenious Stout4.20ExcellentA super stout, nice and dry.
25 May 2013 (oz11)
Afternoon visit for the start of the Bank Holiday beer festival. Every beer I tried was in great nick.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Dark Star - American Pale Ale (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)4.70Excellent
Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)3.40Excellent
Stonehenge - Sign of Spring4.60Excellent
Whitstable - Winkle Picker4.50Excellent
Ilkley - Mary Jane3.50Excellent
Tonbridge - Blonde Ambition4.20Excellent
Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Silver Top4.50Excellent
Tonbridge - Rustic4.00Excellent
Dark Star - The Art of Darkness3.50Excellent
Rother Valley - Alliance4.20Good
Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Wild Hop4.00Good
Goacher's - Best Dark Ale (aka Original)4.10Not Tried
Whitstable - East India Pale Ale (or EIPA)4.10Not Tried
Triple fff - Alton's Pride3.80Not Tried
Rother Valley - Level Best4.00Not Tried
Exmoor - Gold4.50Not Tried
Tring - Side Pocket for a Toad3.60Not Tried
Nelson - Friggin in the Riggin4.70Not Tried
Goddards - Ale of Wight3.70Not Tried
Dark Star - Festival5.00Not Tried
Rudgate - Battle Axe4.20Not Tried
Stonehenge - Pigswill4.00Not Tried
RCH - Hewish IPA3.60Not Tried
RCH - PG Steam3.90Not Tried
Exmoor - Ale3.80Not Tried
Tring - Jack O Legs4.20Not Tried
Moorhouse's - Premier Bitter (was 3.8%)3.70Not Tried
Whitstable - Native Bitter3.70Not Tried
Whitstable - Bohemium Lager4.90Not Tried
Nelson - Pieces of Eight3.80Not Tried
Rother Valley - Copper Ale4.10Not Tried
Dark Star - Original5.00Not Tried
Nelson - Pursers Pussy Porter4.80Not Tried
Whitstable - Pearl of Kent4.50Not Tried
Frome (formerly Milk Street) - The Usual (at one time 4.1%)4.40Not Tried
Rudgate - Viking3.80Not Tried
Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Red Top3.80Not Tried
Goddards - Scrumdiggity4.00Not Tried
Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Blue Top4.80Not Tried
Whitstable - Renaissance Ruby Mild3.80Not Tried
Dark Star - Partridge Best Bitter4.00Not Tried
Tonbridge - Coppernob3.80Not Tried
Old Dairy (being contract brewed after it closed) - Spring Top4.00Not Tried
Nelson - Admiral IPA4.00Not Tried
Hastings - Hastings Blonde3.90Not Tried
Hastings - Hastings Porter4.50Not Tried
Sunny Republic - Beach Blonde3.70Not Tried
Hastings - HPA4.70Not Tried
Hastings - Best Bitter4.10Not Tried
Tonbridge - Traditional3.60Not Tried
Rother Valley - Anniversary Ale4.40Not TriedBrewed to mark the brewery's 20th anniversary.
24 Apr 2013 (ChrisE)
Lunch time visit, and it was good to see a fair number of people sitting at the bar drinking in a fairly isolated rural pub. Definitely a pub with food rather than a restaurant with a bar. People seemed to be surprised to discover that we had managed to get there on a bus, even though it drops you right outside the pub.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Skinner's - Betty Stogs Bitter4.00Excellent
Rother Valley - Smild3.80Good
Westerham - 1965 Special Bitter Ale4.80Acceptable
Goacher's - Fine Light Ale3.70Not Tried
Goacher's - Special House Ale3.80Not Tried
Greene King - Tolly Cobbold Tolly English Ale2.80Not TriedA fair price at £2 per pint.

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About the Halfway House

The pub sign. Halfway House, Brenchley, Kent

Summary of Beer Scores

 Total
Exceptional4
Excellent77
Good28
Acceptable10
Poor-

Website.

The pub is found in Brenchley, Kent, TN12 7AX.

This is a beautiful pub set in the heart of the Garden of England and is in Horsmonden Road. Winner of the CAMRA Kent Pub of the Year in 2006. It has a multi-room interior with lots or wooden beams, wood floors and furniture. This is how you would expect a country pub to be, full of nooks and crannies. All real ale is served on gravity from casks behind the single wooden bar. There is a large garden at the rear. Runner up CAMRA Kent Pub of the Year 2012.

We have visited this pub 43 times, seen 169 different beers and tried 80 of them.

Map location

Postcode: TN12 7AX