CASK ALES

Here at Black Horse and Hoodens we maintain a steady flow of ales offering as much variety as possible from well known national treasures to local gems from craft brewers.
We take great pride in the quality of our cask conditioned ales and adhere religiously to the daily checks recommended by Cask Marque to ensure you have a perfect pint every time. Ask us any day of the week and we will tell you the current ale temperature, anoraks or what!
We are also supporters of the CAMRA LocAle Scheme and are now listed in The Good Beer Guide 2012, CAMRA members also receive 20p off a pint when they flash their card at the bar.
REGULAR ALES.
Both our regular ales are brewed locally, from Rolveden we keep Old Dairy's 'Red Top'. At 3.8% this slightly malty, red hued ale is packed with flavour and a real crowd pleaser.
Our second regular is brewed especially for us by Westerham's brewery and we've named it 'Hooden Brew'. At 4% it's pale amber in colour, delightfully hoppy and refreshing and we think it's a perfect counter-balance to the Red Top so whatever your taste, we have it covered. We keep our other two remaining hand pumps for guest ales and old favourites...
GUEST ALES.
Currently on or coming up next... in no particular order as it's hard to keep up with it, but this list is updated weekly, usually on a Tuesday;
Marston's 'Pedigree' - Harvey's 'Sussex Ale' - Adnams 'Gunhill' - Nelson's 'Harald's Battle'
What is Hoodening?
Hoodening is an ancient Kentish tradition, also practised in parts of Wales and in Scandinavia.
Farmers, having no crops or produce to sell in winter, would supplement their dwindling funds by putting on a show of tom-foolery around Christmas time, visiting households and performing for hand outs and money.
An essential character in these plays was a manic ‘pantomime’ horse, the Hooden Horse, usually called Dobbin, often a Jockey or even sometimes a member of an audience would attempt to ride the Hooden Horse, and get thrown off!
