FOOD + DRINK
THE ART OF BREWING CONT .
As a loyal reader of insideKENT and / or simply a Kent local , you will undoubtedly have heard of the county ’ s sole surviving big brewer , Shepherd Neame ( www . shepherdneame . co . uk ) in Faversham . As Britain ’ s oldest brewer , Shepherd Neame have over 300 pubs throughout London and the South East and just as they have done throughout history , still pride themselves today on brewing traditional Kentish ales such as Spitfire , Master Brew and Bishops Finger . Not only this , Shepherd Neame have also built upon their own historical technique and the art of Kentish brewing , now creating award-winning lagers such as Hürlimann , Samuel Adams and the popular Whitstable Bay Collection alongside a range of seasonal brews . For those who want to get firsthand experience of the art of brewing , Shepherd Neame have made their mastery accessible to any visiting beer and ale appreciator . Nestled in the medieval market town of Faversham , guests can experience a tour of the ancient brewery - where brewing has continued for centuries - with the chance to discover how Shepherd Neame still use natural ingredients , such as mineral water from the town ’ s aquifer and local hops to create their award-winning brews . This experience was recognised and heralded by The Good Pub Guide in 2021 , whom awarded Shepherd Neame the prestigious title of Brewery of the Year having been ‘ impressed by the independent family firm ’ s sustainability practices and its efforts to attract ' the beer-curious drinker ' with its Cask Club initiative and contemporary Whitstable Bay and Bear Island ranges .’ The award is the latest in a series of accolades for Shepherd Neame , which was named Tenanted Pub Company of the Year at the Publican Awards and honoured with nine medals in the International Beer Competition .
Another claim to beer and brewing fame that Kent can proudly call itself home to is Britain ’ s very first micropub , which came in the form of Martyn Hillier ’ s groundbreaking Butcher ’ s Arms ( www . micropub . co . uk ) in 2005 . Sitting sweetly in the village of Herne , real ale lovers can squeeze into this East Kent gem and enjoy a pint and a chat , literally off the butcher ' s block . “ The beer is only as good as the banter ,” says Martyn , and you are sure to find plenty of lively and friendly chat from the loyal band of locals , as well as the vast array of beers and ales that are sure to bedeck the bar here too . Since Martyn first opened The Butcher ’ s Arms in 2005 , there are now over 500 micropubs in the UK , with Kent claiming at least 50 of those according to the Campaign for Real Ale ’ s ( CAMRA ) official list , and with the majority in the east of the county .
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