Shepherd Neame

Why it matters

Its location is the point: Faversham is surrounded by the hop gardens that supplied English brewing for centuries, and the brewery is the most direct surviving link between Kentish hop growing and the beers built on it.

Details

Reference beers

• Shepherd Neame Bishops Finger5–5.4% ABV

  A strong Kentish bitter, and the clearest single demonstration of what East Kent hops do at the top of the style.

• Shepherd Neame Spitfire4.2–4.5% ABV

  A Kentish bitter from the middle of the English hop country, and among the most recognisable British ale brands.

BeerHQ carries only the products that anchor something. This is not the brewery’s full range.

Styles it is associated with

• Best bitter — A step up from ordinary bitter in strength and depth, with more malt body while staying firmly sessionable.
• Strong bitter — The strongest of the bitters, with pronounced malt richness, firm bitterness and noticeable fruit from warm fermentation.
• English pale ale — The bottled British pale ale tradition: biscuity malt, earthy and floral English hops, and a firm, dry, mineral finish.

Traditions

• British cask ale — Beer that completes its fermentation in the container it is served from and is dispensed without added gas, at cellar rather than fridge temperature.