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Blacksmiths Arms (Ei Group (formerly Enterprise Inns))

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Beer (sort)Average Score (sort)No. Samples (sort)
Hogs Back - Surrey NirvanaExcellent1
Harvey's - Sussex Pale AleExcellent1
Robinsons - Trooper Light BrigadeExcellent1
Camerons - A-hop-alypse NowExcellent2
Long Man - American Pale AleExcellent1
Harvey's - Sussex Best BitterGood2
Exmoor - Hound DogGood1
Harvey's - Old Ale (or Sussex XXXX Old Ale)Good1
Dartmoor - Jail AleGood1
Dark Star - Hophead (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)Good1
Robinsons - OverhangGood1
Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - London PrideAcceptable2
Otter - BitterNot Tried0
Sharp's - Doom BarNot Tried0
Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - Gale's Seafarers AleNot Tried0
Wickwar - BOBNot Tried0
Marston's - Courage Directors (was brewed at Banks's for a while)Not Tried0
Adnams - Southwold BitterNot Tried0
Adnams - Ghost ShipNot Tried0
Butcombe - Adam Henson's Rare Breed (superseded by 3.8% version - see separate entry)Not Tried0
Sharp's - Sea FuryNot Tried0
Exmoor - WhakatuNot Tried0
Exmoor - WeizenNot Tried0
Picture 1. Blacksmiths Arms, Willesborough, Kent

Visits Details

20 Jul 2022 (Magnus Greel)
Mid afternoon and quiet just a couple of others in. I had 30 or so minutes before my bus to Brabourne so popped in here, sadly just the one cask ale on offer today.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - London Pride4.10PoorTired lacklustre cloudy and watery with virtually no condition or flavour. Thankfully not vinegar, yet a chore to drink.
27 Jul 2021 (Magnus Greel)
Early evening busy with folk on the left side dining area, empty in the main bar. No change since my last visit still remains a much appreciated proper pub atmosphere.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Dartmoor - Jail Ale4.80GoodTraditional malty brown ale style English bitter
Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - London Pride4.10Not Tried
Sharp's - Doom Bar4.00Not Tried
Marston's - Courage Directors (was brewed at Banks's for a while)4.80Not Tried
06 Dec 2019 (ChrisE)
Evening visit, very busy tonight. I sat and seriously considered hibernating until January when the pubs should have returned to normal.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Harvey's - Sussex Pale Ale3.50ExcellentVery good Harveys.
Harvey's - Old Ale (or Sussex XXXX Old Ale)4.30GoodI was told that this is proving to be very popular here. A nice pint.
Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - London Pride4.10Not Tried
Sharp's - Doom Bar4.00Not Tried
27 May 2019 (ChrisE)
There has been a change of management here since my last visit. Not much has changed but I do miss seeing a traditional "guvnor" behind the bar though.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Good
Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - London Pride4.10Not Tried
Sharp's - Doom Bar4.00Not TriedVery popular in here today.
Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - Gale's Seafarers Ale3.60Not Tried
Wickwar - BOB4.00Not Tried
10 Dec 2018 (ChrisE)
A fairly busy Monday afternoon. The landlord and landlady of one of Dover's Micropubs popped in for a drink so I had a good chat with them. The current licensees of this pub will be leaving in February 2019.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Acceptable
Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - London Pride4.10Not Tried
Otter - Bitter3.60Not Tried
13 Nov 2018 (Magnus Greel)
Mid evening and fairly busy, the usual attentive bar staff meant we didn't have to wait long for service. Sadly the current owner who has made a valiant effort with an ever changing and exciting beer range will be moving on from March next year.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Long Man - American Pale Ale4.80ExcellentEasy drinking with subtle APA flavours
Dark Star - Hophead (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)3.80Good
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Not Tried
Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - London Pride4.10Not Tried
Exmoor - Weizen4.20Not Tried
15 May 2018 (Magnus Greel)
Early evening and fairly busy with mainly groups of drinkers, with many enjoying the extensive gardens. IMO the best of Ashford's periphery pubs by far and easily reachable by frequent buses to the WH Hospital and a 2 min footpath walk.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Robinsons - Trooper Light Brigade4.10ExcellentA lower ABV ale from the Trooper portfolio, delicious full bodied session beer malty and yeasty yet refreshing with it. Robinson's have definitely upped their game with producing decent ales recently.
Exmoor - Hound Dog4.00GoodRather sweet for my palate however in good condition
Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - London Pride4.10Not Tried
Long Man - American Pale Ale4.80Not Tried
Exmoor - Whakatu4.20Not Tried
23 Mar 2018 (ChrisE)
Friday evening and very busy indeed. A good welcome from Dave the landlord.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Hogs Back - Surrey Nirvana4.00Excellent
Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - London Pride4.10Not Tried
Butcombe - Adam Henson's Rare Breed (superseded by 3.8% version - see separate entry)4.20Not TriedDefinitely advertised as being 4.2%
Sharp's - Sea Fury5.00Not Tried
16 Jan 2018 (ChrisE)
Afternoon visit and quite busy. There was lots of free food on offer which was left over from a buffet earlier in the day.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Camerons - A-hop-alypse Now4.30ExcellentTop condition and very enjoyable.
Robinsons - Overhang4.10GoodO.K. but not to my taste.
Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - London Pride4.10Not Tried
Adnams - Southwold Bitter3.70Not Tried
Adnams - Ghost Ship4.50Not Tried
15 Jan 2018 (Magnus Greel)
Mid afternoon and fairly busy with drinkers, small as the world is I'd arranged to meet up with my retired mate and there was another already in here so we had a good old days reminiscing session.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Camerons - A-hop-alypse Now4.30ExcellentFruity light and moorish with a banana twang, superb hence stayed with this for the rest of the session.
Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - London Pride4.10AcceptableI had two pints if this and both failed expectations to what I'd expect had I'd been in a Fuller's house.
Adnams - Southwold Bitter3.70Not Tried
Adnams - Ghost Ship4.50Not Tried
Robinsons - Overhang4.10Not Tried

[More Visits]

About the Blacksmiths Arms

The pub sign. Blacksmiths Arms, Willesborough, Kent

Summary of Beer Scores

 Total
Exceptional1
Excellent26
Good37
Acceptable9
Poor1

Website.

The pub is found in Willesborough, Kent, TN24 0NA.

Lovely low ceilinged old pub in The Street, in a pretty part of Willesborough, not far from William Harvey Hospital. Central dark wood bar serves large single room. Large fireplace to one side. Original wood beams add character. Quirky split level garden at rear. Cosy pub with 5 handpumps.

We have visited this pub 47 times, seen 97 different beers and tried 51 of them.

Map location

Postcode: TN24 0NA