Rifle Volunteers, Maidstone

Attractive backstreet pub (though only a couple of minutes from the town centre) run by Goachers. Instantly knew it would be good; a lived-in narrow rectangular room with most of it looking like it hasn't been touched for 50 years up to including a lack of screens and bleeps. Though at points maybe it is a bit much, for example the carpet is stained, filthy and beyond saving. Manual cash register which is like a museum piece but it gets used, with anything above £3 having to be rung through multiple times, noisily. Out the back is pleasant garden area which makes the most of itself, look out for the goldfish pond fashioned from half a hogshead barrel and with the water kept fresh by a constant flow from a repurposed beer engine. Four Goachers ales on, none priced above £4.30. My Mild was excellent (NBSS 4) served-up by a cheery barkeep. However I was less enamoured by the Dark which had a cardboardy edge (NBSS 2) – do seem to be finding some places out lately when I stay for a joker. Codger clientele reading papers, chatting about horse racing and a smattering of Maidstone Utd fans who couldn't bring them themselves to make paces to their preseason friendly. Bar the somewhat less-than-stellar second pint I did really like this place as a drinking den.

Another highlight of any trip to Maidstone, this is one of 3 Goacher's tied alehouses. There is a single bar, which was busy with groups of locals and a few on their own for our Tuesday afternoon visit. The barman/landlord was happily joining in conversation with the regulars. Looking at Pub SignMan's review below, I can confirm that all of the customers were men and over the age of 50, apart from myself and a guy on his own reading a newspaper. I love a traditional pub like this one and whilst the Flower Pot (where we had just come from) stocked a better range of ales and ciders, I had a slight preference for this one, as there's very few pubs like this one still remaining. Beers are all from Goacher's. Their Fine Light Ale, Gold Star Strong Ale & Real Mild Ale were joined by Crown Imperial Stout, which at 4.5% wasn't quite as "imperial" as I was anticipating, but still tasty nonetheless. 2 Turner's ciders were also on offer - Gold & Apple Pie. On seeing the vintage cash machine, I wasn't expecting to be able to pay with a card, but the barman duly produced a machine. The cash machine itself is still used. But any rounds of £3 or more have to be entered multiple times in the till, as it only goes up to £2.99! Old pumpclips can be seen around the room and there is a collection of old bottles behind the bar. A dartboard sits in one corner.

This is a small, traditional backstreet boozer, easily reached from the town centre, that was close to packed when I turned up at around 14:30 on a weekday afternoon - all men and all over the age of 50. The pub has a small rectangular room with grey carpet tiles, plain painted walls and a very nice curved bar counter with a leaf motif design along the back wall. Above the bar, a basic gantry has pewter tankards hung from it and is topped with bottles, a large tea urn, a model of a coach and horses and a stuffed toy. The dark wood and mirrored bar back hosts a miniature figurine collection, a few old bottles and some decent breweriana, including a wonky, bit still fully functioning, Shepherd Neame Master Brew lamp. There’s also an ancient cash register, still being used by the old school landlord, although card payments are also accepted. The room is pretty small, but tables and chairs have been arranged efficiently around the perimeter, broken only by a small gas fire and a modern heater. A dartboard, positioned in an unplayable spot, still looks like it gets a fair bit of use, so perhaps the furniture gets reshuffled at times. Elsewhere, the walls are decorated with old paintings, awards and bits of breweriana including a nice absinthe mirror. For some unknown reason, there’s also a framed completed Sun crossword on one wall. A corridor to the left leads to the toilets and a small patio garden that’s perfect for the smokers thanks to some decent shelter. Ales come by way of the Goachers Brewery, with options on this visit comprising Goachers Fine Light, Real Mild, Old Imperial Stout and Gold Star. Having not seen a mild on cask for many months, I opted for a pint of the Real Mild, which the friendly governor charged a very modest £3.40 for. It was in excellent condition and I enjoyed supping it whilst eavesdropping into some of the friendly local’s amusing conversations. This is a great old-fashioned backstreet pub with a down-to-earth clientele, good service and some excellent local ales to work through. The place definitely has a bit of a mono-cultutre feel to it, thanks to the older, all-male clientele, so won’t be for everyone, but I really enjoyed my time here and would be keen to return the next time I’m in town.

A wonderful traditional back street boozer, very much a rare breed these days, and an oasis of ale in a desert of drink desolation. It’s well described by MM below. There was a genuinely warm welcome from the barstaff and the landlord, while the regulars were a decent, friendly bunch. There were 4 Goacher’s ales on, all in excellent condition. Two boxed ciders were also available. Definitely one for inclusion in a Town crawl, and one to which I shall certainly return.