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The Fountain (Harvey's Brewery)
| Beer (sort) | Average Score (sort) | No. Samples (sort) |
|---|---|---|
| Harvey's - Old Ale (or Sussex XXXX Old Ale) |  | 1 |
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | | 3 |
| Harvey's - Olympia | | 2 |
| Harvey's - IPA |  | 3 |
| Harvey's - Sisters Table Beer | | 1 |
| Harvey's - Knots of May Light Mild | | 1 |
| Harvey's - XX Dark Mild (or Sussex XX Mild) |  | 1 |
| Harvey's - Hadlow Bitter | Not Tried | 0 |
Andrew Chenery
Visits Details
03 May 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
It only took our party of four real ale enthusiasts on this trip about an hour to reach this charming Harvey's pub in Cowden village from Cowden railway station over many a stile and through the odd kissing gate. We also thought our luck was in as picked up a lovely but lost lady at Cowden Station whose printed-out walking route had not aided her in the least. We led her all the way to Cowden village. She was a mere 81 years young and from Barking in East London and sporting great hiking boots! We left "Pru" at the church in the village as she explained real ale was not what she does! What a picturesque sleepy little village it turned out to be! Hardly a motor vehicle passed through and that aided it harking back to a bygone age. What better weekend also to see it than the May Day Bank Holiday one which co-incided with the 80th anniversary of VE Day with all the red, white and blue bunting on display. A very warm welcome was afforded by Fern, from China, and Toulah who is Fern's business partner and at age 20 is said to be one of the youngest landladies in the UK! The walls of this fine old pub were adorned and most notably with sizeable paintings of cows by a local artist who was also a customer in the bar area. Busy when we first got here but very prompt friendly service and a delicious homemade double burger with chips and salad was my cooked breakfast substitute. Fern who is number one chef came out to check it was all to my liking which is was and Toulah, who also sings with her own band and holds the Toulah music fest at the pub, introduced her little rescue dog to me. A totally wonderful visit!
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | | One of the best Harvey's bitters ever for my taste bud or two, and no doubt aided by its 60 year-old yeast strain, and in appearance, very good head and lacing. A malty first hit. A bitter maltiness in the mouthfeel and a fruity hoppiness from its four local varieties of hops persisting. |
| Harvey's - Olympia | 4.30 | | Fresh on to replace the dark mild but not quite a mild by a long way as a golden ale from Harvey's. Very good head and lacing was presented on this. It came with a hoppy resinous first hit. Fruity and hoppy flavourings came to the fore aided by its Fuggle and Golding hops. A woody as in resin-infused hoppiness in the mouthfeel along with a dry fruity bitterness lingered on. Very moreish! |
| Harvey's - Sisters Table Beer | 3.40 | | This Sussex light bitter came with very good head and lacing and presented a very hoppy first hit and was very thirst-quenching after our hour's walk from Cowden station to the village itself. A bitter hoppiness rose up in the mouthfeel and a hoppy dryness lingered on. |
| Harvey's - XX Dark Mild (or Sussex XX Mild) | 3.00 | | Just had the merest taster of this. Others in our party of four also tried this. It was minus any head and conditioning and tasted sharp. The malty dark mild from Harvey's in Lewes, Sussex, had just reached the end of its barrel and so was taken off and changed without question to another of the three Harvey's that were now on. |
05 Feb 2022 (Wittenden)
Pre walk beer on a cloudy February Saturday lunchtime.A few in with their dogs. A cracking village pub.Alas, no Harvey's Old.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | | Prime: deep and fruity.Best for a long time. |
| Harvey's - IPA | 3.50 | | Solid earthiness.Much tastier than I'd anticipated for the ABV. |
21 Feb 2015 (thebrewingman)
The second stop on the mini tour. We had pre ordered lunch here and they had kept the kitchen open especially to cater for us. Most lunchtime customers had moved on so we almost had the place to ourselves.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harvey's - Old Ale (or Sussex XXXX Old Ale) | 4.30 | | |
| Harvey's - IPA | 3.50 | | |
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried |
24 May 2014 (Edbeck)
Mix of locals and diners
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harvey's - Knots of May Light Mild | 3.00 | | |
| Harvey's - IPA | 3.50 | |
05 Jun 2012 (Alenomore)
Late afternoon visit, raining hard and all is quiet here. Lovely old Harvey's pub, lots of old pictures of Harvey's pubs noted.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harvey's - Olympia | 4.30 | | On top form. |
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Harvey's - Hadlow Bitter | 3.50 | Not Tried |
21 Apr 2009 (Andrew)
Very pretty pub. The interior combines benches with wooden tables and chairs. The pub is L-shaped with the bar following the L. The garden at the back was very peaceful with only the sound of birds and the occasional jumbo jet in the distance. Good pub.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | | Good pint with all the elements you'd expect. |
| Harvey's - Hadlow Bitter | 3.50 | Not Tried | |
| Harvey's - Olympia | 4.30 | Not Tried |
About The Fountain
Summary of Beer Scores
| Total | |
|---|---|
 | - |
| 6 |
| 5 |
 | - |
 | - |
The pub is found in Cowden, Kent, TN8 7JG.
Old three roomed pub in High Street, with a garden to the side. A comparatively late addition to the Harvey's estate.
We have visited this pub 6 times, seen 8 different beers and tried 7 of them.
Postcode: TN8 7JG