Shepherd Neame Ltd

The brewery is based in the heart of hop country, in the medieval market town of Faversham in Kent. Its ales use 95% Kentish hops, which are combined with the finest malted barley and chalk filtered mineral water from an artesian well deep beneath the brewery. Centuries of brewing experience have been passed down to the current team of brewers, who still use many traditional methods. In 2016, its 100-year-old unlined solid oak mash tuns were renovated, with each piece of Burmese teak reshaped around the new stainless steel mash tuns.

In addition to traditional favourites such as Spitfire and Bishops Finger, the brewery also produces more contemporary beer styles for the modern drinker, such as the Whitstable Bay Collection and Bear Island. Shepherd Neame also brews international lagers under license, such leading US craft beer Samuel Adams Boston Lager, and is the sole UK distributor for premium Thai lager Singha. It is also the sole distributor for Angry Orchard Crisp Apple cider, and collaborates with Somerset’s oldest family cider maker Sheppy’s to produce Orchard View Apple Cider.

Shepherd Neame beers have won in excess of 40 brewing awards since 2008 and quality is at the forefront of everything they brew. Most recently, its beers were awarded eight medals at the 2020 International Beer Challenge (IBC), a global competition attracting entries from more than 40 countries.

The brewery operates 319 pubs and hotels across London and the South East, including 234 tenanted pubs and 69 managed pubs and hotels. The estate includes urban, rural and coastal pubs and characterful boutique hotels, with 500 bedrooms across the estate.

Shepherd Neame brews more than 70 million points annually and exports to 44 countries worldwide. A Royal Warrant Holder to HRH Prince of Wales, the business provides more than 4,500 jobs in the UK.

It has pioneered sustainable brewing, with a water consumption-to-output ratio of 3:1 – thanks to a water recovery system – and 97% recycling of raw materials in the brewhouse.