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FOOD + DRINK
A GOLDEN TRIBUTE TO A FAVERSHAM HERO
Independent family brewer Shepherd Neame is celebrating a very special anniversary this summer with a new limited edition golden ale .
Go For Gold ( 3.4 % ABV ) has been brewed to commemorate 100 years since Lieutenant General Sir Philip Neame ’ s ( a cousin of Percy Beale Neame , the first Neame to join with the Shepherds to form Shepherd Neame ) gold medal success in the 1924 Paris Olympics .
The pump clip design for the beer , part of Shepherd Neame ’ s real ale Cask Club calendar , features a medal with a figure taking part in the Running Deer event for which Sir Philip ( who was also a First World War hero , awarded the Victoria Cross in 1914 in honour of his heroic actions during a battle in Neuve Chapelle , France ) won gold . It pays homage to his Faversham roots with the inclusion of St Mary of
Charity Parish Church and the Paris Olympics with the iconic Eiffel Tower . Chief executive , Jonathan Neame , said : “ Sir Philip ’ s achievements - both as a sportsman and as a war hero - were truly extraordinary , so we thought it was only fitting to mark the centenary of his Olympic success with a special beer .
“ We hope that our customers will join us in raising a glass to Sir Philip , the only man in history to be awarded both a gold Olympic medal and the Victoria Cross .”
Go For Gold has a silky , full-bodied mouthfeel courtesy of a blend of Caragold malt and oats . This is complemented with spicy , floral and honey aromas from a quintessential pick of Kentish hops , Challenger and East Kent Goldings , and light citrus notes from UK Centennial dry hopping . This is all rounded off with a wellbalanced , gentle bitter finish .
ROEBUCK TO SPARKLE AT RHS HAMPTON COURT PALACE GARDEN FESTIVAL
Premium English sparkling wine brand Roebuck Estates has been unveiled as the official sparkling wine of the RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival 2024 - the first time that the globally renowned festival has chosen an English sparkling wine producer as its exclusive sparkling wine .
This news signifies the excitement around the English sparkling wine category and the heightened consumer demand . Roebuck has seen 50 % year-on-year growth since the launch of its first vintage sparkling wine in 2019 , while 8.3 million bottles of English sparkling wine were produced in 2022 - up from 3.6 million in 2017 .
Rooted in the beautiful English countryside and with vineyards in Kent and Sussex , Roebuck Estates marries its vision to create premium sparkling wines from the finest English vineyard sites with a commitment to leaving the lightest footprint on the environment .
Commenting on the partnership , Natalie Gearing , show manager of RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival , said : “ It ’ s wonderful to partner with Roebuck Estates , an organisation that champions English horticulture and viticulture . Many of our visitors love to enjoy a sparkling wine during their visit to the festival and to be able to offer a quality English sparkling wine really supports the RHS ’ s wider sustainability goals .”
A founding member of the Sustainable Wines of Great Britain ( SWGB ) certification , Roebuck ’ s head of viticulture , Jake Wicks will take to the festival ’ s Get Growing Stage on Sunday 7 July , historically the busiest day , while CEO Michael Kennedy will lead a talk - A Golden Era of English Wine & Viticulture .
RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival runs from 2 - 7 July 2024 . For more information visit : www . rhs . org . uk / showsevents / rhs-hampton-court-palacegarden-festival . www . insidekent . co . uk • 119