FOOD + DRINK
FROM HOPS TO HISTORY , LAUGHTER TO LAGER , DISCOVER THE STORY OF BRITAIN ’ S OLDEST BREWER :
THE SHEPHERD NEAME BREWERY TOUR BY SAMANTHA READY
LOCATED IN THE PRETTY AND QUAINT MARKET TOWN OF FAVERSHAM , YOU ’ LL SMELL THAT YOU ’ VE ARRIVED AT THE HOME OF BRITAIN ’ S OLDEST BREWER , BEFORE YOU ’ LL SEE THE ENTRANCE . IN FACT , THE SMELL OF SHEPHERD NEAME ’ S HOPS IS LEGENDARY IN THE TOWN , AND THE AROMA WAS A WONDERFUL WAY OF BUILDING MORE EXCITEMENT AMONGST THE insideKENT TEAM WHO HAD DESCENDED EN MASSE TO JOIN ONE OF THE BREWERY ’ S AWARD WINNING GUIDED TOURS .
Guided through the visitors centre we took a fireside table before being greeted by our guide , the wonderfully friendly and highly knowledgeable Linda . Tasked with not only explaining the history of the brewery , and the brewing and fermenting process during our tour of the original buildings and more modern technological additions , Linda would also be responsible for maintaining order during the iK crew ’ s own tutored beer tasting !
With a group that varied from avid ale enthusiasts to the ‘ I don ' t really drink beer brigade ’, I was a little conscious that maybe the day out wouldn ’ t be everyone ' s cup of tea - or should that be pint of Spitfire ? - but my fears were well and truly allayed !
Now , with the independent brewery having been founded in way back in 1698 and having been family-owned since 1864 , the fact that the brewery has history and a fair few tales to tell was never in doubt , but walking through the original roads and buildings , with Linda ’ s effortless mix of anecdotal storyteller , historian and humour , she truly brought history and the brewery process alive . We all happily whiled away 80 minutes lost in days gone by , awed by our surroundings and intrigued by the tipples produced .
The tour includes visits to the brewery and fermentation vessels , as well as a visit to the Old Brewery Store , where visitors can view preserved Shepherd Neame delivery vehicles of yesteryear , bygone pub signs and hop picking memorabilia - whilst being regaled with tales of what life was like for those working in the brewery over the centuries . The whole site has echoes of the past , from the markings on the walls from the shire horse pick-ups to the heat felt from walking around the preserved narrow furnaces making it an experience not to be missed .
Alongside the walking tour there are also some interesting tasting sessions too ; from the refreshing sip of natural mineral water fresh from the brewery ’ s well , to the ‘ marmite ’ moment of trying malted barley - definitely not my pint of Spitfire ! - concluding with the tutored tasting session .
Back in the Visitor Centre , we were presented with our own tasting flight board of numbered tipples - ranging from pale ales to deep rich bitters . Linda once again had us veering from full on laughter to open-mouthed awe , as we smelt , tasted and ranked our favourite ales and lagers .
There was just enough time to pop to the shop to stock up on a couple of bottles of Whitstable Bay Blonde - our winning tipple of the day - a well deserved one for the road back to iKHQ !
The insideKENT team toured prior to COVID-19 lockdown .
Brewery Tours , which are pre-bookable and start from just £ 18pp , are scheduled to recommence at the end of October .
Shepherd Neame Visitor Centre 11 Court Street Faversham ME13 7AX www . shepherdneame . co . uk
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