Shepherd Neame

Shepherd Neame traces its history back to at least 1698, making it Britain's oldest brewer, although brewing on its site in the medieval Kent town of Faversham can be traced back to at least the 16th century. More than three centuries later, the business remains independent and family owned, with brewing continuing in the heart of the town close to Faversham Creek.

The Faversham brewery combines large-scale production with traditional ingredients closely associated with Kent. Its main brewhouse has a minimum batch size of 110 barrels and annual production of around 180,000 barrels, while beers make extensive use of Kentish hops and water drawn from the brewery's own artesian well.

Alongside the main brewhouse is a dedicated 15-barrel Small Batch brewery, providing greater flexibility for limited-edition cask and keg beers. The wider range spans classic and contemporary ales and lagers, including long-established names such as Spitfire and Bishops Finger alongside newer beers and regularly changing releases.

Shepherd Neame also operates just under 300 pubs and hotels across London and the South East. Its historic Faversham brewery remains open to visitors through an award-winning Visitor Centre, with guided brewery tours and tutored beer tastings offering an opportunity to explore the company's brewing process and centuries of history.