Rifle Volunteers, Maidstone

There are not too many pubs like this left these days, a small one bar back street local without music, TV or gaming machines. A small group of regulars were congregated around the bar on stools, all drinking the local Goachers ales. Real Mild, Fine Light, Stout and Gold Star were on plus two ciders in boxes from Turners. Carry outs available. Green carpet tiles, some wood panelling and a chocolate coloured bar front. Wall mounted rifle, a few maps and framed bits, an end wall has a Fremlin's elephant, perhaps a sign of a previous life, heating from an old 70s gas fire. Pewter and glass tankards hang over the bar, food is old style, chilli with crusty bread for just £3.50 plus ham, cheese or corned beef rolls at £1.50 a pop. Pickled eggs are on offer too. This is a truly lovely old school boozer, what community pubs are all about. An absolute must do if in Maidstone.

Official site of The Rifle Volunteers - www.goachers.com

Official site of The Rifle Volunteers - www.goachers.com

This is a very small old corner boozer set in the back streets just off the centre of Maidstone. My old Kent beer guide from around twenty years ago doesn't mention it so I have no idea who originally owned it. The only tied Goacher's house back in those days was their one at Tovey. Inside it consists of a long narrow single bar with carpet tiles and some old wooden tables and chairs. The bar stools are not traditional ones but stools with a design I remember from my childhood so probably came from a skip or a jumble sale. There are no fruit machines, TV screens or music which I suppose effectively makes it a large micropub. The bar has just three hand pumps with Goacher's Real Mild, Fine Light and Crown Imperial Stout. I went for the Mild (£2.70) which was in superb nick and a proper tasty dark mild. It was also over a pound cheaper than the Shepherd Neame seasonal beer a few streets away. I really liked this pub especially after the comparable mania of the two Spoons and it comes close to getting a ten.