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The Bull (Free House)

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Beer (sort)Average Score (sort)No. Samples (sort)
Kent - EnigmaExceptional1
Summer Wine (SWB) - TeleporterExceptional1
Summer Wine (SWB) - Resistance Dark MildExceptional1
Dark Star - RevelationExceptional1
Kent - ZingiberExcellent2
Archers - Special BitterExcellent1
Kent - Spring WheatExcellent1
Kent - Special PaleExcellent1
Crouch Vale - Yakima GoldExcellent1
Kent - Cherry PorterExcellent1
Kent - Going for GoldExcellent2
Dark Star - Hophead (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)Excellent1
Crouch Vale - AmarilloExcellent2
Dark Star - American Pale Ale (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)Good1
The Brew Co (now called Exit 33 after a spell as Sky's Edge) - Hop RipperGood1
Oakham - Bishops FarewellNot Tried0
Oakham - CitraNot Tried0
Oakleaf (now see Fallen Acorn entries) - Hole HeartedNot Tried0
Goddards - Fuggle (or Fuggle Dee-Dum)Not Tried0
Fyne - HighlanderNot Tried0
Fyne - Hurricane JackNot Tried0
Kelham Island (probably brewed by Thornbridge now) - Pale RiderNot Tried0
Summer Wine (SWB) - Barista Expresso StoutNot Tried0
McMullen (sometimes latterly brand badged as Rivertown or Whole Hop) - Country Best BitterNot Tried0
McMullen (sometimes latterly brand badged as Rivertown or Whole Hop) - Cask AleNot Tried0
Adnams - LighthouseNot Tried0
Kent - PaleNot Tried0
Picture 1. The Bull, Horton Kirby, Kent

Visits Details

07 Oct 2012 (Pedro)
Afternoon
BeerABVScoreNotes
Kent - Going for Gold4.40Excellent
Crouch Vale - Amarillo5.00Not Tried
Kent - Special Pale3.70Not Triedyet to be named
06 Oct 2012 (Pedro)
Lunchtime
BeerABVScoreNotes
Crouch Vale - Amarillo5.00Excellent
Crouch Vale - Yakima Gold4.20Excellent
Kent - Going for Gold4.40Excellent
Kent - Special Pale3.70Not Tried
18 Jul 2012 (Pedro)
Afternoon - beers to come include bishops farewell and Fyne Jarl !
BeerABVScoreNotes
Kent - Spring Wheat4.80Excellent
Dark Star - Hophead (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)3.80Not Tried
Kent - Special Pale3.70Not Triedyet to be named!
05 Apr 2012 (Pedro)
Afternoon
BeerABVScoreNotes
Dark Star - Hophead (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)3.80ExcellentBut concensus in pub was it was mislabelled as it was too dark and didn't have a citrus flavour...none the less was still very drinkable!
Crouch Vale - Amarillo5.00Excellent
Archers - Special Bitter4.30ExcellentBadged as 4.1% - but good tasty bitter
07 Mar 2012 (Pedro)
Lunchtime
BeerABVScoreNotes
Kent - Zingiber4.10Good
McMullen (sometimes latterly brand badged as Rivertown or Whole Hop) - Country Best Bitter4.30Not Tried
McMullen (sometimes latterly brand badged as Rivertown or Whole Hop) - Cask Ale3.80Not Tried
Adnams - Lighthouse3.40Not Tried
Kent - Pale4.00Not Tried
29 Feb 2012 (Pedro)
Decided to pop in and found the girls/ladies running the place for last 10 months were leaving after tonight - after a holiday will likely be in Blean or Canterbury. Conversation disturbed when Environmental Health officer turned up for a spot visit! Hopefully it will still be pie night tonight!
BeerABVScoreNotes
Summer Wine (SWB) - Teleporter5.00ExceptionalCrackin'
Summer Wine (SWB) - Resistance Dark Mild3.70ExceptionalGeorgeous !
Kelham Island (probably brewed by Thornbridge now) - Pale Rider5.20Not Tried
Summer Wine (SWB) - Barista Expresso Stout4.80Not Tried
Kent - Special Pale3.70Not Triedunnamed house beer I'm guessing is this one at 3.7%
10 Feb 2012 (Pedro)
Another flying luchtime visit - house beer yet to be named also. Dark Star delivery van turned up as I left!
BeerABVScoreNotes
Kent - Enigma5.50ExceptionalGeorgeous !
Fyne - Highlander4.80Not Tried
Fyne - Hurricane Jack4.40Not Tried
03 Feb 2012 (Pedro)
Afternoon - House Beer yet to be named also !
BeerABVScoreNotes
Kent - Zingiber4.10Excellent
Oakleaf (now see Fallen Acorn entries) - Hole Hearted4.70Not Tried
Goddards - Fuggle (or Fuggle Dee-Dum)4.80Not Tried
27 Jan 2012 (Dubbel)
Friendly faces, young and old, enjoying their end-of-week treats. Susanna's use of social media to advertise which beers are on clearly enticing the hardcore contingent in.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Dark Star - Revelation5.70ExceptionalThe beer the brewer always wanted to create - and it didn't disappoint. A clever concoction of hops, big fruity flavours and delicately balanced malts. Immediately becomes one of, if not my favourite, Dark Star beer.
Kent - Cherry Porter5.50ExcellentA beautiful, deep wintry porter with just a suggestion of cherry which complimented rather than detracted from the fine beer beneath. My favourite ever beer with cherry in it. Shame it's just a one-off special, was getting all sorts of cooing comments around the bar.
Dark Star - Hophead (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)3.80Not Tried
Oakham - Citra4.20Not Tried
Kent - Special Pale3.70Not Tried
06 Jan 2012 (Dubbel)
Decent numbers in on a Friday night. Cosy in the bar with log fire roaring. Beer selection has improved, with Susanna having been given greater freedom to work her magic. Beers from Oakham and The Brew Co currently doing the rounds and Magic Rock will make their maiden appearance before the end of the month.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Kent - Special Pale3.70ExcellentThe "yet to be named" Bull house beer from Kent Brewery. More aggressively hopped than straight Pale, punchy, tangy and terrifically moreish. Perfect for purpose.
Dark Star - American Pale Ale (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)4.70GoodBeen a few months since I last had APA. This batch didn't have the girl-friendly sweetness I associate it with. Instead it was far more brash and up front, which I didn't dislike.
The Brew Co (now called Exit 33 after a spell as Sky's Edge) - Hop Ripper4.30GoodAnother brewer who knows what hops are for. Not for the faint hearted. The locals advised me that this was even better a day or two previous.
Oakham - Bishops Farewell4.60Not TriedI managed to *just* miss this and wasn't best pleased!
Dark Star - Hophead (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)3.80Not Tried

[More Visits]

About The Bull

The pub sign. The Bull, Horton Kirby, Kent

Summary of Beer Scores

 Total
Exceptional62
Excellent156
Good68
Acceptable14
Poor5

Website.

The pub is found in Horton Kirby, Kent, DA4 9DF.

Outstanding genuine freehouse. Ever-changing selection of guest ales and ciders, many rare to the area served in consistently excellent condition. Regular beer festivals, discos, BBQs and various other events. Monthly brewery showcase (1st weekend of the month) with at least six ales from one particular enterprising brewery. Friendly atmosphere and great home-cooked food (Tues-Sun) made with locally-sourced ingredients. Gravesend & Darent Valley CAMRA Pub of the Year 2008 and 2009 and West of Kent Pub of the Year 2009.

We have visited this pub 91 times, seen 200 different beers and tried 156 of them.

Map location

Postcode: DA4 9DF