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Nelson Arms (Free House)

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Beer (sort)Average Score (sort)No. Samples (sort)
Kent - Brewers ReserveExceptional1
Harvey's - Old Ale (or Sussex XXXX Old Ale)Exceptional1
Dancing Duck - dcukExcellent1
Surrey Hills - CollusionExcellent5
Orkney (Sinclair) - Raven AleExcellent1
Musket - Flash in the PanExcellent1
Iron Pier - West Coast IPAExcellent1
Gyle 59 - Shave X BeerExcellent1
Kent - Hygge Excellent1
Rother Valley - Storm SurgeExcellent1
Kent - Swing LowExcellent1
Kent - Starry NightExcellent1
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 3Excellent1
Harvey's - Bonfire BoyExcellent1
Wantsum - Green Hop ErnestExcellent1
Kent - Caramel LatteExcellent1
Iron Pier - Fruit CakeExcellent1
Harvey's - KissExcellent1
Kent - Old SkoolExcellent1
Kent - Pilgrim Single Hopped Pale AleExcellent1
Rother Valley - Brew 3800Excellent1
Rother Valley - Boadicea AleGood1
Cerne Abbas - Tiger Tom Ruby MildGood1
Three Legs - E S BGood1
Larkins - Premium BitterGood1
Harvey's - Dark Mild (or Sussex XX Mild)Good1
Wilde Child - Dutiful SupremacyGood1
Siren Craft - Recurring DreamGood1
Two by Two - Azacca MosaicGood1
Saltaire - YSBGood1
Swannay (formerly Highland) - Island HoppingGood1
Downlands (formerly South Downs) - Mister Watson's DecadeGood1
Purple Moose - Elderflower AleNot Tried0
Little Critters - Turtley TropicalNot Tried0
Siren Craft - MementoNot Tried0
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Thoroughly Modern MildNot Tried0
Hop Shed (formerly Unity Brew House) - DualNot Tried0
By The Horns - Macaroon StoutNot Tried0
Bristol Beer Factory - Milk StoutNot Tried0
Tonbridge - Ebony MoonNot Tried0
Orkney (Sinclair) - DragonheadNot Tried0
Kent - ValhallaNot Tried0
Brew York - Fairytale of Brew YorkNot Tried0
Verdant - PenpolNot Tried0
Bristol Beer Factory - Hotline BlendNot Tried0
Kent - The Quiet AmericanNot Tried0
Rudgate - Ruby MildNot Tried0
Ilkley - Ruby JaneNot Tried0
Wantsum - Fortitude (was 4.2%)Not Tried0
Track - SonomaNot Tried0
Tonbridge - TraditionalNot Tried0
Anarchy - Gold StarNot Tried0
Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - Gale's HSBNot Tried0
Siren Craft - Suspended in CentennialNot Tried0
Wantsum - Black PrinceNot Tried0
Downlands (formerly South Downs) - RevivalNot Tried0
Tonbridge - Easy Street PaleNot Tried0
Cairngorm - Trade WindsNot Tried0
Wantsum - ImperiumNot Tried0
Orkney (Sinclair) - Red MacGregorNot Tried0
Kent - KGBNot Tried0
Adnams - Old AleNot Tried0
Downlands (formerly South Downs) - Tripod IPANot Tried0
Downlands (formerly South Downs) - Devils Dyke PorterNot Tried0
Lakedown - Kicking Donkey Best BitterNot Tried0
Tonbridge - Velvet RavenNot Tried0
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 5Not Tried0
Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Green & GoldNot Tried0
Picture 1. Nelson Arms, Tonbridge, Kent
Picture 2. Nelson Arms, Tonbridge, Kent
Picture 3. Nelson Arms, Tonbridge, Kent

Visits Details

27 Feb 2024 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening visit until close. Train delays to and from.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Surrey Hills - Collusion5.20ExcellentBordering on a 4½ mark
Kent - Swing Low4.00ExcellentTop notch condition
Kent - Caramel Latte5.20ExcellentCan Kent and the Nelson do no wrong tonight
Kent - Pilgrim Single Hopped Pale Ale4.50ExcellentSingle hopper in impeccable form
Orkney (Sinclair) - Dragonhead4.00Not Tried
Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - Gale's HSB4.80Not Tried
Downlands (formerly South Downs) - Tripod IPA5.20Not Tried
Verdant - Penpol3.80Not Tried
Lakedown - Kicking Donkey Best Bitter4.20Not Tried
21 Feb 2024 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening visit until close. It was the Swannay that was tonight's biggest seller.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 35.00ExcellentNo 3 just as it should be
Harvey's - Kiss4.80ExcellentQuite floral hopping
Gyle 59 - Shave X Beer5.10ExcellentFirst rate and a good body to this
Swannay (formerly Highland) - Island Hopping3.90GoodSuspect nearing end of cask
Cerne Abbas - Tiger Tom Ruby Mild4.40GoodBasic dark mild
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 54.40Not Tried
Purple Moose - Elderflower Ale4.00Not Tried
Siren Craft - Memento3.80Not Tried
By The Horns - Macaroon Stout5.80Not Tried
06 Feb 2024 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening visit until close. The Guv had earlier in the day taken ownership of a treasure trove chest of old CAMRA paperwork and was musing how to make it available for general viewing.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Dancing Duck - dcuk4.30ExcellentUnspectacular but in excellent fettle
Rother Valley - Storm Surge5.40ExcellentA nourishing 5.4% stout. Good nightcapper
Three Legs - E S B5.50GoodFound this rather cloying and certainly not a clean taste
Cairngorm - Trade Winds4.30Not Tried
Orkney (Sinclair) - Red MacGregor4.00Not Tried
Adnams - Old Ale4.10Not Tried
Kent - Brewers Reserve5.00Not Tried
Downlands (formerly South Downs) - Tripod IPA5.20Not Tried
Lakedown - Kicking Donkey Best Bitter4.20Not Tried
19 Jan 2024 (Magnus Greel)
Mid afternoon to early evening catching up with a couple of retired colleagues, quiet upon arrival much busier upon departure our table was instantly nabbed upon vacation!
BeerABVScoreNotes
Orkney (Sinclair) - Raven Ale3.80ExcellentA pale amber ale with a fruity and spicy hop aroma, with malt flavours both biscuity and toasty.
Iron Pier - West Coast IPA5.20ExcellentJuicy, tropical fruit & pine hop character with resinous citusy aroma.
Siren Craft - Recurring Dream4.60GoodCreamy with rich espresso undertones
Two by Two - Azacca Mosaic4.70GoodDid not seem like a beer to me more of a hazy alcoholic tropical fruit punch..
Saltaire - YSB5.50GoodFull bodied well rounded hoppy citrus and deep caramel fare.
Tonbridge - Ebony Moon4.20Not Tried
Siren Craft - Suspended in Centennial4.00Not Tried
Downlands (formerly South Downs) - Revival4.80Not Tried
22 Dec 2023 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening visit until close. The hubbub of a pre-Christmas plus good Friday turnout.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Kent - Brewers Reserve5.00ExceptionalThe very very best condition Brewers Reserve I have ever had
Kent - Hygge 5.00Excellent4½* Absolutely superb condition - really should give a 5*
Kent - Starry Night4.20ExcellentOne of a trio of 3 Kent ales in superb condition tonight
Iron Pier - Fruit Cake4.60ExcellentOnly a half but spot on for flavour
Rother Valley - Brew 38003.80ExcellentDifficult to pick out where the flavours came from. An enigma
Ilkley - Ruby Jane4.00Not Tried
Track - Sonoma3.80Not Tried
Kent - The Quiet American4.20Not Tried
Anarchy - Gold Star4.50Not Tried
01 Dec 2023 (Ian)
Perfect back street boozer. Friendly. Great beer range.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Harvey's - Old Ale (or Sussex XXXX Old Ale)4.30ExceptionalBest I've ever had this beer
Downlands (formerly South Downs) - Mister Watson's Decade5.70GoodLime and tangerine flavours. Hides abv well
Tonbridge - Ebony Moon4.20Not Tried
Surrey Hills - Collusion5.20Not Tried
Brew York - Fairytale of Brew York4.70Not Tried
Kent - The Quiet American4.20Not Tried
31 Oct 2023 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening visit until close.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Harvey's - Bonfire Boy5.80ExcellentA classic example of this ale
Surrey Hills - Collusion5.20ExcellentSpot on
Harvey's - Dark Mild (or Sussex XX Mild)3.00GoodTasted rather tinny
Wantsum - Imperium4.00Not Tried
Kent - KGB4.10Not Tried
Downlands (formerly South Downs) - Devils Dyke Porter5.00Not TriedNew cask put on
Tonbridge - Velvet Raven5.20Not TriedRan out
Canterbury Ales (sometimes badged as Canterbrew) - Green & Gold5.40Not Tried
Little Critters - Turtley Tropical5.50Not Tried
Hop Shed (formerly Unity Brew House) - Dual3.60Not Tried
10 Oct 2023 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening visit until close. A 37 Gang night ensured heavy footfall and fast moving ales.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Musket - Flash in the Pan4.00ExcellentA green hopper in peak condition
Surrey Hills - Collusion5.20ExcellentDifficult to beat an ale of this quality and in this condition
Rother Valley - Boadicea Ale4.50GoodA rather zingy golden ale
Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - Gale's HSB4.80Not Tried
Wantsum - Black Prince3.90Not Tried
Tonbridge - Easy Street Pale3.90Not Tried
Kent - Valhalla5.00Not Tried
03 Oct 2023 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening visit until close. Surprising quiet until the Guv arrived boosting numbers.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Surrey Hills - Collusion5.20ExcellentFirst two out of a new cask put on almost at closing time. I had earlier been disappointed to find the previous cask sold out before I arrived. Superb
Wantsum - Green Hop Ernest4.20ExcellentA compelling bitterness came through
Kent - Old Skool4.10ExcellentExcellent condition but not really to my taste
Rudgate - Ruby Mild4.40Not Tried
Wantsum - Fortitude (was 4.2%)4.60Not Tried
Tonbridge - Traditional3.60Not Tried
Kent - Valhalla5.00Not Tried
19 Sep 2023 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening visit until close, on an autumnal night.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Surrey Hills - Collusion5.20ExcellentAmazing depth of flavour, even in the head
Larkins - Premium Bitter5.50GoodNo match for the Collusion tonight
Wilde Child - Dutiful Supremacy4.00GoodBadged as a Yorkshire Bitter, good condtion but rather bland and thin
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Thoroughly Modern Mild6.00Not Tried
Bristol Beer Factory - Milk Stout4.50Not Tried
Kent - Valhalla5.00Not Tried
Bristol Beer Factory - Hotline Blend4.20Not Tried

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About the Nelson Arms

The pub sign. Nelson Arms, Tonbridge, Kent

Summary of Beer Scores

 Total
Exceptional4
Excellent51
Good17
Acceptable-
Poor-

Website.

The pub is found in Tonbridge, Kent, TN9 1UP.

Beautifully refurbished side street local in Cromer Street, a few minutes walk from Tonbridge station. Features an always interesting selection of cask ales, real ciders and keg beers. Local CAMRA branch Pub of the Year 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2024. 10 handpumps plus 2 unused (dummy) ones and 10 keg taps on the back wall. Different rooms with all Nelson linked names. Massive real cider / perry range here too. CAMRA West Kent Pub of the Year 2023 then became CAMRA Kent Regional Pub of the Year 2023. Selected as one of the last 4 in the CAMRA National 2023 Pub of the Year competition.

We have visited this pub 21 times, seen 114 different beers and tried 57 of them.

Map location

Postcode: TN9 1UP