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The Pilot (Harvey's Brewery)

We believe this pub is CLOSED

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Beer (sort)Average Score (sort)No. Samples (sort)
Harvey's - Old Ale (or Sussex XXXX Old Ale)Excellent2
Elgood's - Black Dog MildExcellent1
Harvey's - Southdown Harvest AleGood1
Harvey's - Armada AleGood2
Harvey's - Forward's ChoiceGood1
Harvey's - Sussex Best BitterGood7
Harvey's - Dark Mild (or Sussex XX Mild)Acceptable2
Cotleigh - OspreyAcceptable1
Harvey's - IPAAcceptable1
Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - The Wife of Bath's AleNot Tried0
Harvey's - Wild HopNot Tried0
Harvey's - Sussex Wild HopNot Tried0
B&T (Banks & Taylor's) - Fat BatNot Tried0
Harvey's - Tom PaineNot Tried0
Picture 1. The Pilot, Maidstone, Kent

Visits Details

10 May 2019 (ChrisE)
Around 18:00 on a Friday and very quiet, we sat in the room on the raised level where there was no noise pollution until one of the other two customers asked for the juke box to be turned up, at least we had the pleasure of hearing the Goodies version of Wild Thing.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Acceptable
Harvey's - Dark Mild (or Sussex XX Mild)3.00UndrinkableReturned and exchanged for Best Bitter, the pump clip was not turned round however.
Harvey's - Armada Ale4.50Not Tried
Harvey's - Sussex Wild Hop3.70Not Tried
04 Mar 2019 (ChrisE)
Monday afternoon and fairly quiet, we sat in the upper room and enjoyed a pleasant afternoon and excellent service. There were three cask beers available in total.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Good
28 Jan 2019 (ChrisE)
Early afternoon on a Monday, I was pleased to discover that this pub has a Monday Club with ales and some lagers priced at £3 per pint until 17:00 hours.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Good
Harvey's - Old Ale (or Sussex XXXX Old Ale)4.30Good
Harvey's - IPA3.50Not Tried
Harvey's - Wild Hop3.70Not Tried
16 Jan 2019 (ChrisE)
Early evening and quiet. Nice to see a good selection of Harvey's beers on.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Good
Harvey's - Old Ale (or Sussex XXXX Old Ale)4.30Not Tried
Harvey's - IPA3.50Not Tried
Harvey's - Wild Hop3.70Not Tried
31 Oct 2018 (ChrisE)
It was really good to see this pub reopened after a period of being run down and closed. It is open all day and we found the place warm, welcoming and comfortable. We were informed that this is still a Harvey's house but they now have one free of tie pump. There were lots of vinly LPs on sale for £2.50 but nothing that I particularly wanted to purchase.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00AcceptableThis was not on sale when we arrived, but we enquired and it was put on sale. In my opinion it was not quite ready but then I was probably partly to blame for asking for it.
Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - The Wife of Bath's Ale3.90Not Tried
Harvey's - IPA3.50Not Tried
26 Sep 2015 (Tobes)
BeerABVScoreNotes
Harvey's - Old Ale (or Sussex XXXX Old Ale)4.30Excellent
Harvey's - Armada Ale4.50Good
Harvey's - Southdown Harvest Ale5.00Good
Harvey's - Forward's Choice3.50Good
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Not Tried
Harvey's - Dark Mild (or Sussex XX Mild)3.00Not Tried
11 Jul 2015 (Tobes)
Decided to visit some of Maidstone's historical pubs, this was our first stop. One of our group was refused a taster but got a description!?
BeerABVScoreNotes
Elgood's - Black Dog Mild3.60Excellent
Harvey's - IPA3.50AcceptableNot really an IPA, tasted like it had been hanging around for a while.
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Not Tried
Harvey's - Dark Mild (or Sussex XX Mild)3.00Not Tried
Harvey's - Armada Ale4.50Not Tried
Harvey's - Tom Paine5.50Not Tried
28 Jun 2015 (ChrisE)
Sunday evening and busy. A quiz took place later on but we did not have time to stay for that.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Good
Harvey's - Dark Mild (or Sussex XX Mild)3.00Good
Cotleigh - Osprey5.00Acceptable
B&T (Banks & Taylor's) - Fat Bat4.50Not Tried
03 Apr 2015 (Dosser)
Fair number in
BeerABVScoreNotes
Harvey's - Armada Ale4.50GoodMuch better than I expected after disappointing pints in the past here
12 Apr 2014 (Archie14)
Quite evening session.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00AcceptableAn ok pint but lacking condition and a bit warm, quite sweet too.
Harvey's - Dark Mild (or Sussex XX Mild)3.00Not Tried
Harvey's - Armada Ale4.50Not Tried
Harvey's - Old Ale (or Sussex XXXX Old Ale)4.30Not Tried

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About The Pilot

The pub sign. The Pilot, Maidstone, Kent

Summary of Beer Scores

 Total
Exceptional23
Excellent115
Good29
Acceptable15
Poor-

The pub is found in Maidstone, Kent, ME15 6EU.

Two room pub on Upper Stone Street, a busy main road. Lots of old beams and comfy sofas. Re-opened on 18th October 2018 after an extended period of closure when its future seemed very uncertain. Now has one "free of tie" handpump in addition to the Harvey's range ones. Closed again in early 2021 and firmly closed ever since. Future must be seen as in doubt now.

We have visited this pub 76 times, seen 27 different beers and tried 23 of them.

Map location

Postcode: ME15 6EU