BLACK HORSE AND HOODENS MENUS

This are our current menus and wine list.  Scroll down the page further to see our up to date real ale information.

Current Menu

Black Horse and Hoodens do not currently provide dining. However we have regular weekend BBQ's throughout the summer and are keen to uphold the ancient tradition of providing free bar food on Sunday lunchtimes.

We are very happy for our customers to order in takeaways if they wish - knives and forks etc can be provided. Also we keep a very big range of crisps and similar snacks, including Pepperami sticks and chocolate bars. 

Current Wines

WINES BY THE GLASS 

WHITE WINES

Ca'di Ponte Cataratto. Sicily. Our house white. Crisp, dry and zesty with a palate of peach and tropical fruit.

Vistamar un-oaked Chardonnay. Chile. Fresh, rounded and intense, touches of vanilla and caramel.

Garganega Pino Grigio. Italy. Dry, clean palate with plenty of weight, apple and lemon undertones. 

ROSE WINE

Discovery Beach Zinfandel Rose. California. Zesty and refreshing, strawberries and cream in a glass. 

RED WINES

Ca'di Ponti Nero d'Avola. Sicily. Our house red. Ripe black cherry and plum with a hint of spice and smokiness.

Vistamer Brisa Merlot. Chile. Fruity with rounded tanins and a slight touch of acidity. Aromas of red fruit and plums.

Franschhoek Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon. South Africa. Packed with dark berry flavours with hints of mint and chocolate.

The Accomplice Shiraz. Australia. Medium bodied and dry, spicy plum fruit, soft tannins and a mild hint of oak.  

WINES BY THE BOTTLE. All our wines sold by the glass are also available by the bottle - along with the following selection. 

WHITE

Gavi de Gavi Nuovo Quadro 'La Battistana' Araldica A gorgeous, soft, dry wine made from old vines with flavour and complexity as big as its name!

Vina Albina Blanco, Bodegas Riojanans Rioja Intense, rich nutty flavour with a sweet vanilla aroma.

Francine et Olivier Savary Chablis  100% Chardonnay, no oak, combining classic minerally flavours with an extra intensity from more time on the lees.

Patrick Girault Sancerre Blanc Chene du Roy One of the best Sancerre's around. Soft nettle leaf aromas, and light mineral complexities.

Pouilly Fume, Domaine des Fines Caillottes A lovely Loire Sauvignon with a rich depth of fruit and great elegance. 

Chablis, Domaine Verret From a small grower in St Bris, a fine wine of typical steely quality and excellent length on the palate.

Rais Baixas, Terras Gauda O rosal A dry and complex fine wine, imagine a white Barolo! 

RED

Roc D'Opale Rouge, VdP de Mediteranee A Grenache and Merlot combination, medium bodied easy to drink red. Soft and silky, hedgerow fruit with fresh damson and chocolate.

Julio Bouchon Carmenere Syrah Ripe, sweet blackcurrant cheesecake wine concentration and intensity, smooth and quaffable.

Luigi Bosca Malbec, Finca La Linda Deep red colour. cherry and spice, balanced tannins, velvety elegance and excellent structure.

Château de la Grenière, Lussac St Emilion Complex and elegant, with good structure. A good value Claret, 2005 vintage, ripe dark fruits and velvety tanins.

Biddenden Vineyards - Gamay A light red wine full of fruity character. Recommended served chilled. Silver Medal award winner SEVA 2010.

Finca del Alto, Merlot Malbec Full bodied, smooth, red cherry and blueberry. 

SPARKLING WINES AND CHAMPAGNE

Cava Marquis de Sardana Aromas of pear and apple blossom, crisp and zesty.

Pino Grigio Rose, Mirabello Fresh, dry and crammed with summer fruits, this sparkling wine is naturally made and contains 'wine diamonds', natturally occuring crystals which indicte an excellent quality.

Champagne Brut, Paul Langier An outstanding Cuvee blended from Pino Noir, Pino Meunier and Chardonnay grapes. Stylish and dry with ripe fruit and a biscuity finish.

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!