Master Brewer - Autumn 2007

M A S T E R

BREWER Autumn 2007

www.shepherdneame.co.uk

Winning Brands

Welcome This issue of Master Brewer celebrates the wealth of beers we brew at Shepherd Neame and the many far-flung locations where they are available.

Our beers are capitalising on a market driven by people looking for something different: distinctive, authentic products of the utmost quality. From pubs, supermarkets and clubs across the UK, through to the wilds of Hong Kong’s outer isles, Shepherd Neame ales are meeting an increasingly global trend for niche and speciality products.

However, we know there are challenges ahead, both for our customers and ourselves, including: finding good quality barley at the right price following the failure of the international crop; uncertainty in consumer confidence following the credit crisis; and the first winter of pub operations following the smoking ban.

Despite these challenging trading conditions, we have posted another record-breaking year of financial success. Furthermore, evidence from other markets – particularly Scotland and Ireland – suggests a smoking ban results in a difficult first year, but followed by good recovery in subsequent years.

Our market research is helping to ensure we are meeting and exceeding consumer expectations. As you will read in this issue, you will see how our brand portfolio is in line with the market trends and our recent pub research shows we are providing the experience people demand: top quality food and drink, a convivial atmosphere and first-class customer service.

In only two years from now, we are poised to benefit from our geographical advantage. The high-speed link to London St Pancras will bring central and east Kent closer to the capital, while the north of the county is ideally positioned to exploit opportunities brought by the 2012 Olympic Games.

We are confident our long-term strategies and sustainable practices will ensure continued success, whatever the future holds.

Jonathan Neame Chief Executive Shepherd Neame

Cover shot: Kent Spitfires celebrate their Twenty20 Cup win

Credit: KM Group

Turnover tops Interim results £100million for first time Another very strong financial performance in an increasingly challenging market has seen the company record its 32nd consecutive year of profit growth.

Highlights for the 52 weeks ended 30 June 2007 included: • Pre-tax profit before exceptionals up 9.9%

to £10.5m • Operating profit before exceptionals up 6.9%

to £13.9m • Earnings per £1 share up 14.3% to 73.4p • Dividends per £1 share up 7.5% to 21.5p • Turnover up 4.9% to £100.0m Both the company’s brewing and pub operations performed strongly within the last 12 months, with tenanted pub like-for-like contribution up 6.2% and managed house sales up 4.3%. Profit before tax is up 3.3% to £11.6m and barrels brewed rose 1.8% to 221,000.

The company has experienced a record year of capital investment, the highlight of which was the acquisition of 12 freehold pubs for a total of £16.4m.

Further significant investment over the year has been in the existing estate, modernising the brewery, business processes and information systems.

Miles Templeman, chairman, said: “The company has achieved excellent growth this year against a background of challenging market conditions. This has been a good performance with strong results in all parts of the business. This has also been a year of record capital investment that will provide a strong platform for long-term growth.”

He continued: “Trading performance since the year end is satisfactory, despite poor summer weather, the smoking ban and pressure on the consumer from interest rate rises.

Although we face continuing external regulatory pressure concerning alcohol, environmental and social responsibility, I have great confidence in our ability to grow in the future.”

Royal visit The brewery was delighted to welcome the Duke of Kent to Faversham to recognise the company’s Queen’s Award for Sustainable Development and formally unveil Shepherd Neame’s latest modernisation – a new cask packaging plant.

He toured the new-look visitor centre and unveiled a plaque in the cask plant before enjoying lunch with some of the brewery staff, suppliers and shareholders.

The plant enables production staff to centralise cask packaging to one location, the former keg plant at the middle of the town centre site. It also allows for increased energy efficiency and productivity.

Automated cask handling will reduce noise and ensure the highest standards of health and safety.

Jonathan Neame said: “By increasing our efficiency with this

investment, we are not only minimising our impact on the environment, but also underlining our reputation as a producer of first-rate cask beer.

“His Royal Highness’ visit marks this latest part of our modernisation

programme, and recognises our two recent award wins: the Queen’s Award for Sustainable Development and the National Business Award for Corporate Social Responsibility.”

Jonathan Neame and the Duke of Kent at the Faversham brewery

Next Generation When Percy Beale Neame first joined the brewery in 1864, it is unlikely he could have predicted the role his family would play in it over the next 300 years.

Ros Tapp, Cariad Neame and Abigail Gollicker

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As the brewery passed down through generations, so the extended family broadened. With Percy and wife Florence having had 10 children – by no means unusual at the time – there are now about 100 direct descendents.

Next Generation aims to educate and inform family members about their shared heritage and history and organise social events for family members.

Committee member Ros Tapp explains more: “We’re hoping to meet up regularly and have already

held a beer and food evening at the Freemasons Arms, Covent Garden.

Family members are also keeping in touch via a newsletter and we’re hoping to launch a website, possibly with an interactive family tree.”

She continues: “We are keen to welcome family members to our events and are especially keen to bring in new committee members and ideas for events.”

Wide portfolio

Shepherd Neame may be renowned for its fine Kentish ales, but as Master Brewer discovers, its portfolio of brands offers you the opportunity to try a world of beer. And, as sales and marketing director Graeme Craig explains, that’s good news for the long-term future of the company

is key to success Although Shepherd Neame’s reputation for making award-winning ales is second to none, Graeme is quick to point out that to survive and flourish in an increasingly competitive marketplace, it is important to offer consumers a wide range of quality products.

“It’s not just a choice of ale or lager any more.” he says. “Customers are becoming more discerning and as core markets fragment, niche products are on the rise and that’s what is driving growth in our market.

This means businesses, such as ours, will thrive as they maximise their offer of a full spectrum of tastes and styles while maintaining excellent quality.

Research suggests consumers find mainstream brands less appealing.

This means the time is ripe for speciality ales and lagers: what matters is regionality, authenticity and tradition.

In the lager market in particular, Asian beers are in vogue.”

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Customers are becoming more discerning and niche products are on the rise

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Sales and marketing director Graeme Craig (front) with the sales department

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This view is echoed in the market, where top-fermented beer posted an 8% rise in sales to £364m between April 2006 and April 2007 (TNS Worldpanel). Meanwhile, supermarkets are dedicating more space to the wide range of authentic beers now available and sales in this sector grew by 28% within Waitrose stores alone during the last year.

Within Shepherd Neame, bottled Bishops Finger is the perfect example of this. It is a beer of excellent provenance: silver winner of the 2006 Taste of Britain award, brewed to a strict charter and is thought to be the only beer that is the product of a single county. It is also enjoying very strong growth of 6.9%.

The brands brewed and distributed by the brewery extend way beyond the traditional ales for which it is renowned.

Graeme continues: “People are constantly surprised at the breadth of our brand portfolio. We have beers matching the three main Asian cuisines – Asahi with Japanese food, Sun Lik with Chinese and Kingfisher in Indian restaurants.

We’re also tapped into the burgeoning US craft beer market, as the UK’s sole importer of America’s market leader; Samuel Adams Boston Lager.

“On top of this, we have a distinctive trio of Continental lagers - a pilsener with Dutch classic Oranjeboom, a Rheinheitsgebot brewed German favourite in Holsten Export and the distinctive and malty Swiss Hürlimann Sternbrau. Combined, these give consumers the broadest of choice.”

He adds: “It may be unusual for a regional brewer to be the custodian of so many brands, but we take it as a compliment that so many great names from around the world regard us as a safe pair of hands.”

Looking to the future Graeme said: “What I’ve learnt during my time at Shepherd Neame so far is that the company’s managed to thrive while excelling at its core activities – brewing excellent ales and running first-class pubs – while not being afraid to capitalise on opportunities whether it is brewing lagers or the creative use of media to promote its brands.

“Consumer research suggests the market is moving in our direction so there is no denying these are exciting times.”

Spitfire is the 5th most wanted draught ale by licensees asked what they would stock, given the choice - The Publican

Meet the people

Beyond our pubs Shepherd Neame’s role as a pub operator is well-known, more than half of the beer brewed at the Faversham brewery is sold outside of the company’s pub estate. Shepherd Neame beers can be available in hundreds of clubs, more than 5,000 pubs (as a rotating guest beer) and 7,000 shops the length and breadth of the country.

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Shepherd Neame beers can be available in hundreds of clubs, more than 5,000 pubs and 7,000 shops

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Sales are particularly growing in venues that meet consumer demands for quality, be they ‘style-bars’, good quality pubs, clubs or restaurants.

What matters is they cater to consumer demands for distinctive products.

To meet increasing demand, the sales department has expanded accordingly; two new national account managers and four regional account managers are aiding nationwide distribution. In addition, a Business Development Channel has been established under David Townshend’s leadership.

To focus more on marketing, we have created two brand manager roles specifically for Asahi and Sun Lik. To help strengthen the management team, new heads of take-home trade and free trade sales an internal promotion for Giles Hilton (right) - have been appointed.

A significant factor in the renewed interest in speciality beer is consumers’ increasing interest in locally-sourced, often regionally-distinct food, encouraged by initiatives such as Shepherd Neame’s Local Food From Local People programme.

Richard Fox, the “Beer Chef”, says: “As we look for these higher-quality regional values in our food, so we look for the same in the beverages that accompany them.”

The winner of the 2006 Bishops Finger Award for Beer and Food Writing argues: “Given that any nation’s – or even climactic region’s – cuisine has an associated drinks culture, the fact that we are a nation steeped in the grain rather than the grape is grounds enough for some serious beer consideration.”

As well as diners, women could prove another growth area for beer appreciation.

CAMRA research suggests that 8 out of 10 women have never tried real ale in a pub because one in three women feel that drinking from a pint glass is unfeminine. The survey found that 37% of women pub goers aged 18 to 24 said they would try real ale if it was served in a more stylish glass (see our feature on Whitstable Bay glasses on page 14).

Paula Waters is CAMRA’s first woman chairman, she says: “Nowadays people care about their image when they are out, as well as what is in the glass. Stylish glassware has boosted the sales of imported Belgian beers and there is no reason why a similar approach could not work for British real ale.”

Shepherd Neame’s new head of free trade sales is Giles Hilton. He will look after pubs, clubs, freehouses and local direct delivery. Giles is by no means new to the company. He has been internally promoted from the tenanted pub side of the business where he has worked since 1997, but his association with the brewery goes back further than that. Giles ran The Granville pub, Stone Street, from 1988 until 1995, when he was appointed club manager of Etchinghill Golf Club.

A keen supporter of local rugby, former second-row Giles is chairman of Canterbury Rugby Club. He is married with two children and lives in Selling.

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The land of the free Ales and lagers brewed at Faversham can be found in many more places than simply Shepherd Neame pubs.

Right: The brewery supplies beer to social clubs such as the Northwood Club, Ramsgate, run by Bill Jane and his son Billy (pictured) – a Shepherd Neame customer for more than 60 years.

Above: Upmarket bars and hotels such as The Royal Wells Hotel, Mount Ephraim, Tunbridge Wells, so named because Queen Victoria was a regular visitor, is one of the most elegant locations to enjoy Shepherd Neame beers.

Below: A major supporter of many sports clubs across the South East, Shepherd Neame sponsors Canterbury Rugby Club and the Kent Spitfire Sevens.

Below: Shepherd Neame beers are enjoyed at sporting, entertainment and fashion festivals and parties such as Henley Regatta (pictured) through a partnership with Gorilla, one of Britain’s coolest event management companies.

Alex Sheen is Shepherd Neame’s regional account manager for the West and Wales area and is responsible for promoting our products in both the on and off trades.

He deals with independent traders, and pub companies such as Punch, Enterprise M&B and Wetherspoons as well as cash and carries and wholesalers.

Here’s a typical day for Alex while working in the Cardiff area 9am Attend a meeting at BA Cash & Carry to collect sales data and to sell in Christmas Ale. Check tickets and prices. Put in price for new 500ml Asahi for Zushi, Wales’ first conveyor belt sushi and noodle restaurant.

10am Phone Richard Anstee of Glamorgan Beers about a local account. Discuss progress on an Asahi Draught deal for an oriental restaurant.

11am Visit a popular nightclub, an Asahi client.

Tell them about current Waverley TBS deal on Asahi bottles. Discuss a joint promotion for their movie night.

12.30pm Meet a new stockist to check sales of Spitfire. Drop in the new pump clip, branded glasses and bar towels.

1pm Pop into the Vale of Glamorgan pub, which is now selling Bishops Finger.

Introduce myself to licensee and check they have enough point of sales material and glassware.

2pm Visit local hotels to see how Spitfire is selling as a guest beer. There is always the chance that, if it sells well, a manager may choose to stock it permanently. Sample a half pint to check that it tastes satisfactory!

4pm Check sales of Sun Lik Draught at a local Chinese restaurant following a recent installation. I also drop off some ‘tentcards’ for the tables which help advertise brand.

5pm See the manager of a popular nightclub to discuss putting Asahi Draught on the bar.

6pm Visit a Chinese restaurant in Bristol on the way home for dinner with a client.

Evenings are often spent visiting clients, seeing public interaction with the product first-hand.

1698 Ale is the

Taste of Britain One judge, a renowned beer writer, described the result as “generously malty with toffee, butter and sultana flavours”. Cheers to that!

Production and distribution director, Ian Dixon said: “The brewing team are delighted with this award win.

Making a bottle conditioned beer is the kind of challenge we readily accept and it’s the type of connoisseurs’ beer we revel in brewing. For beer to win a national award such as this, against all other drinks categories, recognises the diversity and quality beer offers.”

1698 Bottle Conditioned Strong Ale has won the silver award in Best UK Drink / Beverage Category of the Daily Telegraph and Sainsbury’s Taste of Britain Awards.

It’s the second time in a row Shepherd Neame has won the award, with Bishops Finger Kentish Strong Ale winning silver in 2006’s inaugural competition. As with Bishops Finger, 1698 was the highest placed beer.

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Generously malty with toffee, butter and sultana flavours

Beer and food matching suggestions

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The awards aim to recognise products of regional distinction, made from the highest quality ingredients by master craftsmen. The winners are regarded as a showcase of quintessentially British food.

Judges were impressed that 1698 could be laid down to mature, thanks to the presence of yeast which allows for secondary fermentation. This helps mature the beer, allowing drinkers to age bottles to their preferred depth and complexity of flavour.

The yeast and sugars interact to create a natural effervescence that adds to the fragrance; many have likened it to a natural champagne-like fizz.

The vast majority of ales have hops added twice during brewing, a bitter variety before boiling and an aromatic variety afterwards. In 1698 hops are added a third time, just before fermentation, to preserve its lightness and balance and prevent it becoming too sweet.

While 1698 makes the perfect companion for dark meats and game, such as venison, beef and wild boar, the adventurous gastronome will pair 1698 with sumptuous, rich puddings.

Think sticky toffee, plum duff and anything which contains bitter, dark chocolate, with a high-cocoa content.

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Making a bottle conditioned beer is the kind of challenge we readily accept and it’s the type of connoisseurs’ beer we revel in brewing

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Eastern About Sun Lik Brewed according to its original oriental recipe, Sun Lik Beer blends hops and malt with natural, chalk-filtered mineral water. Rice is also added to Sun Lik Beer, to give it a refreshing and unmistakably oriental taste.

Sun Lik Beer is distributed to more than 800 Chinese restaurants across the UK and is available in bottles within Shepherd Neame pubs and the free trade.

Hong Kong-style Sun Lik Beer is now in a third of the nation’s Chinese restaurants and has been brewed by Britain’s oldest brewer, Shepherd Neame, since 1997. Master Brewer’s been looking into the mystery of the Orient…

As speciality brewer Shepherd Neame has developed a diverse international lager portfolio to complement its traditional Kentish ales. Most recently it has signed its second 10-year brewing contract with San Miguel Breweries (Philippines) for Sun Lik Beer, reaffirming the relationship with one of the world’s biggest breweries.

With year-on-year sales up 10.1%, Sun Lik is breaking out from the traditional Chinese restaurant market and into gastropubs and contemporary pan-Asian bars. San Miguel Breweries (Philippines) president Carlos Berba says the future is bright for the beer: “I’m impressed by the diversity of beer available in the UK. People want to try new things and are moving away from ‘standard’ products to discover more variety through speciality beers – so it’s a particularly good time for Asian lagers.“

Sun Lik is being supported by a powerful marketing campaign as brand manager Olly Scott explains: “We take a dynamic approach in our promotion of Sun Lik beer, befitting of the brand. We have launched a new website and draught font, won a silver medal from the British Bottler’s Institute and are even sponsoring a Powerboat P1 team.“ So, what next for a brand that has experienced such rapid growth since its introduction to the UK 10 years ago? With the forthcoming Olympics in Beijing, 2008 promises to be a big year for all things Chinese. This coming year will be full of activity, including advertising (featured above) coupled with trade and consumer promotions, culminating in a distributor incentive scheme trip to the Chinese capital next autumn.

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We take a dynamic approach in our promotion of Sun Lik beer, befitting of the brand

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Brand manager Olly Scott flanked by P1 pilots Martin Lai (right) and Andreas Halkiopoulos

Powering forward Sun Lik Beer has signed headline sponsorship deal with the Ocean Dragon racing team in the Powerboat P1 World Championship 2007 – the maritime equivalent of Formula One racing.

The team unveiled their new 1,000 horsepower Super Sport Class boat at Shepherd Neame’s Faversham brewery at the start of the new season.

P1 involves courses in excess of 80 miles in length and boats reach speeds that would be equivalent to 200mph on land. More than 250,000 spectators attend the races which are televised to more than 100 million homes worldwide.

Promise

Asahi is the bottled beer the trade most wants to get its hands on - Theme Magazine Asahi raised its profile in the arts world by sponsoring Udderbelly at the Brighton Fringe Festival held in May on Old Steine Lawns, Brighton, and providing a full-service bar at the venue.

For the uninitiated, Udderbelly is a 396-seater performance venue housed inside a colossal upside-down inflatable cow!

The venue is run by Underbelly, an offshoot of the Edinburgh Fringe, and used to present cutting edge cabaret, music, theatre, comedy and children’s entertainment.

Performers included cabaret act 4 Poofs and a Piano (featured on the Jonathan Ross show); theatre with David Benson’s show Think No Evil of Us: My Life with Kenneth Williams; and comedians Stewart Lee, Sean Hughes and Jerry Sadowitz.

Advertising agency Hooper Galton recruited Japanese students from Central St Martins College of Art and Design and the London College of Communications to design a series of “rising suns” which are used across the executions and displayed on the Asahi website. The week of the longest day, June 21, was chosen to launch the campaign in national newspapers and magazines such as Arena, GQ, Theme, The Guardian and – appropriately The Sun. The summer campaign also extended to digital escalator panels on the London Underground and an online campaign on websites such as Urban Path and Urban Junkies.

BLACK IN THE UK

The Brighton Fringe Festival 2007

RISE AND SHINE

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Shine, Asahi’s latest advertising campaign, uses striking interpretations of the rising sun, conveying a lively and optimistic feel and positioning the brand as a contemporary, premium choice for those “in the know”.

The campaign bears the slogan: “Asahi is Japanese for ‘rising sun’.

A symbol of spirit, hope and inspiration. Shine.”

Brand manager Christian Hamilton (right) said: “Hooper Galton have developed a concept that can work across a broad range of media as well as form a platform for future work. The campaign has a simple, honest and uplifting message at its heart, setting us apart from other brands and developing a distinctive and suitably exclusive tone.”

Asahi Black is becoming the cool, new choice among trendy drinkers in London’s bars and restaurants.

Asahi Black is made from three different roasted malts, giving it a rich, nutty flavour that makes it incredibly smooth-drinking and warming.

Unlike other dark beers and stouts, it’s brewed using the process of bottom fermentation, which gives it a subtle, sweet edge and smooth flavour.

Japan’s favourite dark beer has an abv of 5%, is sold in 334ml bottles and is available in venues such as Zuma, Wagamama and China White.

Cheers! Salud! Skål! Santé!

Shepherd Neame’s handcrafted ales are enjoyed across the globe as beerlovers on four continents discover the hoppy, zesty flavours of Kent.

France – Santé!

Spitfire’s ‘Bottle of Britain’ credentials have inspired one of our importers to create a piece of furnature called ‘the Red Telephone Box’ which stores 20, 30 or 60 bottles!

Stockholm’s very own Spitfire pub

The brewery exports to more than 20 countries around the globe.

The Scandinavian countries of Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland make up a large proportion of the export market, and Bishops Finger and Spitfire are especially popular.

Many pubs have English names such as the Woolpack in Karlstad and the Rover in Gothenburg and there’s even a pub in Stockholm called the Spitfire!

Italians enjoy pints of Shepherd Neame beer in the piazzas

Canada – Cheers!

Troy Kirby (above) has created the memorabilia-crammed Spitfire Arms in the tiny town of Windsor as his personal homage to the heroes of World War II. Spitfire takes pride of place among the pub’s selection of imported beers and there are Spitfire advertisements on the walls.

Another thriving market is Italy, where Shepherd Neame beers are on sale from Trieste in the north down to Sicily, where Shepherd Neame is the only English beer available on the island.

Sales are also strong in Russia both in the on and off trades and Kentish beers, as well as Sun Lik lager, are selling well in St Petersburg and Moscow.

A new, very successful market is Dubai where, for the past 14 months, wine importers MMI have begun to buy Bishops Finger, Spitfire and 1698, for bars serving the kingdom’s growing tourist and expat trade.

Spitfire is now being enjoyed literally to the ends of the Earth, as the British Antarctic Survey vessel has ordered the beer to refresh scientists relaxing after a hard day’s work.

3.7 milli exported than 20 c Falklands – Cheers!

Spain – Salud!

This year, the brewery was commissioned to produce a beer called Dakota, shipped out to the South Atlantic to help the Parachute Regiment celebrate the 25th anniversary of the liberation of the Falklands.

Serving 50 bars in Benidorm and Alicante, the brewer’s spanish importer has invested in its own Spitfire branded dray to deliver Spitfire and Bishops Finger to thirsty tourists and expats.

Prost! Na zdrowie! Gan bei!

Sweden – Skål!

Russia - Budem zdorovy!

Bottle-conditioned 1698 has gone down well with Swedes, who tend to prefer higher abv beers, and appreciate its strength and rich flavour. Sales of bottled Whitstable Bay Organic Ale are also buoyant, although Swedish speakers struggle to get their tongue round the name!

One of the most interesting places to buy Bishops Finger, 1698, Whitstable Bay and Spitfire is the gloriously ornate supermarket Eliseevskiy (left) in Tverskaya Street, Moscow.

It was built by great Moscow architect Matvey Kazakov in the late 18th century, and a luxury store in 1901 but by the end of the Soviet period the shelves were empty – leading to the arrest and execution of the store director!

Japan – Kampai!

The Warrior Celt is a novelty in Tokyo - for selling beer in pints! The pub is famous for its selection of international beers including Spitfire, Bishops Finger and Whitstable Bay.

A customer at Tokyo’s The Warrior Celt enjoys a pint of Spitfire

Hong Kong – Gom bui!

Shepherd Neame beers are sold at a pub called The Aviator, near Chek Lap Kok airport.

on pints d to more countries

Griffin’s Irish Pub (right), a traditional alehouse tucked in the picturesque old town of Modena, began serving Spitfire and Original Porter this year.

Our Italian distributors enjoy this year’s Hop Festival

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Italy – Salute!

Spitfire scores with

Rugby World Cup Promotion Fans of Spitfire’s tongue-in-cheek advertising were treated to a new series of rugby-themed advertisements, which ran throughout the Rugby World Cup in September and October.

The ads appeared in a 64-page Spitfire branded Evening Standard World Cup supplement. They also featured in specialist rugby and trade titles and a Spitfire sponsored fantasy rugby competition with thepublican.com.

Branded kits featuring rugby balls, novelty bottle-openers, fixture cards, posters, collector cards and beer mats were distributed to selected pub companies, independents and Shepherd Neame pubs.

Spitfire ale helps RAF celebrate iconic fighter’s final mission Veteran pilots toasted the 50th anniversary of the Spitfire’s last operational flight with Spitfire Premium Kentish Ale during a moving weekend of commemoration at RAF Woodvale on Merseyside.

The last ever three Spitfires to serve the RAF flew out of the airfield, in Formby, on 10 June 1957.

Organisers invited 50 veterans who flew and maintained the Spitfires at the base between 1941 and 1957 to take part in a dinner in the officers’ mess and a memorial service on the flightline.

They were also treated to a flypast from one of their former charges, and a pint or two of Spitfire thanks to national account executive Duncan Crosbie.

New glassware widens appeal Whitstable Bay Organic Ale is enjoying increased availability following several national supermarket listings.

A national listing in Tesco and a spell as one of Sainsbury’s summer guest ales have helped boost the brand’s availability. It is already available in Asda, Londis and Majestic Wines.

Attractive new Continental-style stemmed glassware has been introduced in the on-trade to encourage customers - especially women - to try the ale with food and generally widen its appeal.

Says Shepherd Neame sales and marketing director Graeme Craig: “Whitstable Bay is a clean, refreshing

ale, made from the finest ingredients and chalk-filtered mineral water drawn from our own well.

“It is arguably the beer with the broadest appeal within our profile. It’s an ideal match for seafood and serves as a crossover beer for those interested in discovering the depths of flavours offered by premium ale.”

The 4.5% abv ale’s namesake is the east Kent coastal town renowned for its seafood, particularly its oysters, and popular with celebrities and the London set as a seaside idyll.

It is available in 500ml bottles throughout the year and on draught in selected Shepherd Neame pubs and free trade outlets between June and September.

Duncan Crosbie, Shepherd Neame’s national account executive, presented the veterans with Spitfire Premium Kentish Ale and other Spitfire branded goodies.

Oranjeboom – it’s a lager not a tune Oranjeboom sponsored the KMFM Battle of the Bands which reached its climax at Chatham’s Dockside Outlet Centre following six heats held across Kent throughout August in venues in west Kent, Medway, Shepway, Ashford, Canterbury and Thanet.

The six acts taking part in the final were ShyChlo (Ashford), Bill Wears Dresses (Thanet), Billy Rebel (Medway), Hey Zeus (Canterbury), The Belgrave Scandal (west Kent) and The Joneses (Shepway). There was also entertainment from a pro band – The Parlotones.

Music fans were able to enjoy a Shepherd Neame beer tent featuring Oranjeboom lager.

The winners were Billy Rebel, who impressed the judges with a ghoulish collection of songs about monsters, ghosts and weird creatures.

Billy Rebel: Matt Rogers, Ash Tarrant, Joe Marshall and Dave Billings

Cherry-picked consumer offers KMFM presenters Kirstyn Read and Richard Walters entertain the crowd

Stylish new look for Todd’s website Todd’s the Wine Co. has a stylish new website www.toddsthewinecompany.co.uk highlighting its exclusive portfolio of wines and spirits and inviting trade customers to request a copy of its current list.

The spirit section features Ikon vodka, Eaton blue gin, Master Blend whisky and a traditional Shepherd Neame favourite - Grant’s Morella Cherry Brandy, which holds a Royal Warrant from The Prince of Wales and is now available at the Windsor Park Farm shop.

In addition to Todd’s exclusive lines, the site also illustrates a range of international wines and spirits to service all sectors of the on trade.

Customers also have an exclusive opportunity to order Runnymede Island, from New Zealand’s renowned Jackson Estate. Both the Marlborough Sauvignon 2006 and the Pinot Noir 2006, with tasting notes by Daily Mail wine critic Matthew Jukes, are available to order online.

One case (12 x 75cl bottles) can be delivered anywhere in the UK for £90. www.toddsthewinecompany.co.uk

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Designed by ABA Creative, the site features some of Todd’s exclusive wines, Boonaburra from Australia made by independent Barossa producer Grant Burge, from Italy its highly successful brand Mezzora. New Zealand profiles Runnymede Island made uniquely for Todd’s by the renowned Jackson Estate and, from the South of France, Paree with its very successful range of Vin de Pays wines.

For a limited period, online customers can order a bottle of Grant’s Morella Cherry Brandy, normally priced at £14.95 a bottle; it can be delivered as a gift anywhere in the UK for just £17.50.

Pub News Northern comfort food in Brighton The Northern Tavern in Ditchling Road, Brighton, has had a £90,000 refurbishment, redesigning the main bar using a smart blend of traditional and contemporary styles featuring attractive seating in dark wood and comfortable leather sofas.

Sports’ screenings in Walton on Thames The George Inn, Bridge Street, Walton on Thames, popular with sports fans, now boasts two state-of-the-art, 42-inch plasma television screens following a £40,000 refurbishment.

A public house since 1880, care has been taken to preserve the building’s authentic Victorian features.

The interior has been redecorated and a new bar added and outside the patio area has a new canopy.

Stylish function room in Brighton city centre The Caxton Arms, Brighton, acquired by the brewery last year, has had a £160,000 refurbishment.

Inside, the pub has a light, welcoming feel. A new solid oak bar has been installed, the wooden floor reconditioned and the pub decorated in cream tones with bright, patterned wallpaper in places.

The downstairs function room, which suits up to 60 people, has been fully refurbished, offering a comfortable venue.

Tenant Ian Jebson (right), his business partner Brendan O’Reilly and staff member Amelia Harris

Outside, the front of the pub has been redecorated and an attractive new pub sign added. To the rear, a heated terrace garden provides a pleasant, contemporary environment to socialise, drink and smoke.

Family fun in Ashford The South Eastern Tavern, in Torrington Road, Ashford, has re-opened with new licensees following a £122,000 makeover.

The pub now boasts a packed programme of entertainment, including live music, a quiz night, and darts and pool teams for both men and women.

Licensees Claire Rayson and Dean Wilson plan to serve bar food in the pub, which has been redecorated in a simple, traditional style, with old pictures of historic Ashford on the walls.

Greenwich pub decked out

The lounge has been adapted to create a function room with its own bar. Outside there is a decked al fresco seating area, with heating and lighting.

The pub also has a talented new chef, Neal Tatham, who trained under Marco Pierre White and has worked in restaurants all over the world.

He and tenant Ian Jebson are developing an innovative new bar menu including mezes, home-made scotch eggs and a dish Ian describes as “northern comfort food” – a generous portion of hand-made chips, partnered by mushy peas, curry sauce and onion gravy!

A few yards from the refurbishment of the Cutty Sark, a major facelift for another Greenwich landmark, The Spanish Galleon pub, has sailed through with flying colours.

The brewery refurbished the pub, which dates back to 1834, in a chic, maritime style.

The Spanish Galleon now offers a smart upstairs function room with its own bar, baby changing facilities and the building is now completely accessible to wheelchair users. The conservatory has a new roof and the restaurant area has enjoyed a complete refit.

Home-cooking in Hastings Home-made pies, roasted hams, curries and chilies, all created from landlady Eileen Fowlie’s own recipes are the order of the day at The Harrow, on the Ridge, St Leonards, acquired by the brewery in March and transformed by a stylish £200,000 refurbishment.

The Harrow can accommodate more than 70 diners, with a menu aimed to appeal to a wide range of tastes and an emphasis on good value, fresh produce and good, honest homely meals.

The pub now has fresh, airy bar areas with stylish mirrors, chandeliers and slate flooring.

The exterior has been completely refurbished with a new roof, new signage and lighting. At the front, there is a smoking area comprising two comfortable benches covered by a “jumbrella”, equipped with lighting and heaters.

Don and Glynis are the heart of the community

A real jewel in the Crown The Crown and Cushion in Surrey has had a £73,000 refurbishment by the brewery, which purchased the historic pub in Blackwater last year.

The charming 16th century pub takes its name from the plot in 1671 by Colonel Thomas Blood to steal the Crown Jewels from the Tower of London and is rumoured to be haunted.

The pub also boasts ‘The Meade Hall’ (pictured right) constructed from two renovated 16th century barns.

The room is fully air-conditioned, and is used for a Sunday carvery as well as a unique setting for weddings, parties and Christmas functions.

Licensees Don and Glynis Cross, of the Walnut Tree, East Farleigh, donated a £1,000 charity cheque to the Kent Air Ambulance after winning a community award from the Morning Advertiser.

In choosing the Walnut Tree as a winner in its Heart of the Community Pub Honours, the Morning Advertiser praised the couple for developing a fundraising culture at the pub that’s helped raise more than £9,000 for local and national charities in the past year.

Rusthall pub haven for steak-lovers The Red Lion in Lower Green Road, Rusthall, a haven for steak-lovers, has a fresh new look and a comfortable outdoor decked area following a £45,000 refurbishment.

More space has been created, a fresh new look given to the bar and 32-seater restaurant and an outside decked area with two large umbrellas, allowing for outside drinking and dining.

The pub has a steak and house wine offer each evening, and a choice of five cuts of locally-sourced steaks in a variety of sauces.

Stylish functions in Covent Garden Functions are better than ever at the Freemasons Arms in Covent Garden thanks to a £70,000 refurbishment of the pub’s upstairs meeting room.

The Victorian pub is still used regularly by Freemasons but also hosts events as varied as quiz nights, training courses, birthday parties and wedding receptions.

The function room, which can seat more than 80 for a meal, or accommodate up to 140 for a buffet, has been redecorated to a high standard without compromising on traditional design.

The room features Victorian mirrors, memorabilia relating to the masonic movement and historical photographs of the Covent Garden area.

The Plough & Horses, near Farnborough, purchased by the brewery last year, has re-opened following a £166,000 makeover.

Manager Aaron Davies plans to turn the pub into a community local with an emphasis on good food.

Regular customers have even started an on-site allotment to supply

vegetables to the pub kitchen.

Two HD televisions have been installed in the bar area and partitions in the pub’s large restaurant area have been removed, creating a light, open dining space.

New pub signs have been put up outside and covered, heated areas for al fresco eating and drinking will be added to the pub’s large garden.

master brewer page 17

Light, open dining space

Fundraising efforts have included a yearly music event, the Farleigh Force Festival, which in 2006 raised £1,700 for local charity the Anthony Nolan Trust, a sponsored head shave, cycling tours, quiz nights and collection boxes.

Don said: “The award is for everyone in our community that has supported our events and Glynis and I are both delighted and proud to have won.”

Those magnificent men in their flying machines Sheppey’s special place in the history of powered flight has been recognised in the décor and styling of The Aviator, a large community pub purchased by the brewery in March.

More than £350,000 was spent refurbishing The Aviator at Queenborough - formerly known as the Lady Hamilton – bringing the building up to modern standards.

The pub is themed with artefacts recalling the visit of Wilbur and Orville Wright to Leysdown in 1909, MooreBrabazon, the first Briton to fly on English soil, the Short brothers aircraft manufacturers, the Gordon Bennett air race, the Eastchurch Naval Flying School and RAF Eastchurch.

The Aviator boasts a smart, stylish bar area, decorated in keeping with the early 20th century theme with black and white tiled floors and mirrors.

The restaurant, at the rear of the pub, seats up to 70.

Outside, the pub has been redecorated, new signage erected, a terraced area created at the front and a covered area provided for smokers.

The car park has been fully landscaped and now has space for up to 60 cars.

The redevelopment was designed with sustainability in mind, featuring fuel efficient boilers, low wattage LED lighting and a heat recovery system, which “recycles” energy from warm air leaving the building, providing fresh air, better climate control and increased energy efficiency.

The Aviator employs 20 staff, led by manager Phil Chislett, who formerly ran the White Horse & Bower in Westminster.

The highlight of the official opening was a flypast by a 1949 Chipmunk aeroplane. Guest of honour was Air Commodore Bill Croydon CBE, the driving force behind the Flying Start project, which aims to create a heritage, educational, social and leisure venue at the former Eastchurch airfield where British airmen first flew.

! e Best reacsqusiring pp Stiso Th in the process of d

Jonathan Neame and Air Commodore Bill Croydon CBE toast the pub’s reopening

New Pubs The Plough Inn at Farnham Located on West Street on the edge of the small, historic town, the Plough is split over two levels with a sizeable garden.

The brewery plans to spend more than £50,000 transforming The Plough into a warm, traditional pub and developing a seasonal menu using fresh, locally sourced ingredients where possible.

The company with restaurant an 17th century pub e fin a n, In h . The property ec Be rst in East Sussex hu ad W at n io at 9 November. accommod rd Neame pub on he ep Sh a e m co will be

The White Horse Inn, Hawkinge Located on the main road through Hawkinge, The White Horse Inn is a traditional community-focused pub with restaurant.

‘‘

As brewers of Spitfire it is particularly fitting for us to have a pub in Hawkinge

’’

The pub is home to local darts, cribbage, pool and football teams and is popular for its Sunday carvery and restaurant which serves freshly prepared food using locally sourced ingredients.

RAF Hawkinge was the site of the nearest fighter station to enemy occupied France during the Battle of Britain.

Property and tenanted trade director George Barnes said: “We’re delighted to have acquired this lively village pub.

As brewers of Spitfire it is particularly fitting for us to have a pub in Hawkinge.”

A major focus of recent investment across our pub estate has been to unlock potential and enhance outside spaces.

Projects at 300 houses will be complete by the end of the year, with solutions such as jumberellas, pergolas and converted outbuildings enabling our pubs to accommodate customers who wish to smoke and adding valuable trading space to our public houses.

The Woolpack, Chilham The garden at this 15th century inn has been transformed from a brick-paved courtyard into a stylish English country garden with a continental twist.

Traditionally English plants such as wisteria and climbing roses strung from Kentish hop poles are in stark contrast to a striking ancient olive tree centrepiece.

The George Inn, Leeds This 17th century former coaching inn, which has a large rear garden, now boasts a smart new covered patio area finished with an attractive heated canopy.

The Juggs, Kingston, Lewes The garden at this chocolate box, 15th century pub has had a £24,000 makeover, creating a terrace with retractable awning, booth seating and heating.

Inside Out Awards Two pub gardens have received accolades in the annual Shepherd Neame Pub Awards.

This garden has an unusual centrepiece – a 42” plasma television.

The TV sits neatly in the space formerly occupied by a window, to the delight of the pub’s many sports followers.

The recent Rugby World Cup saw the space packed out with up to 100 people at a time.

The Wharf, Dartford

Millers Arms, Canterbury

The outside decking at this charming waterside pub has been fitted with an attractive sail-like canopy.

This city-centre courtyard garden has been kitted out with a heated canopy and booth seating, with room for about 20 guests.

The Woolpack Inn, Brookland, Romney Marsh, won the ‘Best Hanging Basket / Small Garden’ award category.

Licensee Barry Morgan, who was born in the village and has run The Woolpack for five years, won the award for his outstanding hanging baskets. Barry tends the garden with the help of pub regular Roy Bushnell.

Both winners received £250 of gardening vouchers.

Congratulations to other green-fingered licensees, Les Koncsik of the Crown and Anchor, who won the best pub award in this year’s Faversham in Bloom. And Val Knight a The Wilton Arms for two prizes in Westminster in Bloom 2007.

master brewer page 19

Debbie (pictured right) and Gary Welfare, of the Generals Arms at Little Baddow, Chelmsford, won the ‘Large Garden of the Year’ award. The couple have only been at the pub for 11 months, but have already turned the one-acre garden into a destination in its own right and it was one of 30 gardens to participate in Little Baddow’s ‘open gardens’ event earlier this year.

The George & Dragon, Thames Ditton

Britannia rules the airwaves The Britannia, Dungeness, has been used as a location for two hit BBC shows – the Inspector Lynley Mysteries and EastEnders.

EastEnders: Actors Burn Gorman and Phil Daniels in the Britannia with real-life licensee Mike Jones behind the bar

Landlord Mike Jones even appeared in the soap opera as an extra.

“I’m the man in the blue shirt at the end of the bar,” said Mike. “Due to Equity rules about speaking parts, the person serving Phil Daniels had to be an actor.

“You would never believe there would be so many people involved – there were about 40 crammed inside for the scene in the bar,” he said. “But I tried to avoid too much disruption to customers and didn’t close the pub.”

EastEnders also filmed scenes involving characters Dot and Jim for the Easter Monday episode at the Ringlestone Inn, near Harrietsham, and the Spitfire at Kings Hill formed part of

the fictional town of Meadowlands for the Channel 4 drama Cape Wrath.

Not to be left out, the Rose and Crown, Blackfriars, was used for filming of the Sky TV science show Brainiac.

The episode featured a stunt where a monkey was pitted against a human on the pub’s fruit machine. Rising to the challenge, the monkey won!

The Inspector Lynley Mysteries: Nathaniel Parker (Inspector Lynley) and Sharon Small (DS Havers) filming in Dungeness

Helping Kent’s Hospices

Volunteer safety boat is Kent’s new ‘local hero’

A total of £83,000 worth of cheques was handed over to the county’s hospices in October – the proceeds of this year’s Kent Charity Walk organised by Shepherd Neame and the Kent Messenger newspaper group.

Master Brew Kentish Ale, The Local Hero, is sponsoring a new community safety boat which will enable Thanet’s Maritime Volunteer Service (MVS) to continue its work to keep Kent’s water-borne events safe.

Jonathan Neame joined KM Group chairman Geraldine Allinson to present 10 cheques of £7,800 each to the Pilgrims Hospices in Ashford, Canterbury and Margate, Demelza House Children’s Hospice in Sittingbourne, Heart of Kent Hospice in Aylesford, the Lions Hospice in Northfleet, the Ellenor Foundation in Dartford, Hospice in the Weald in Pembury, Rochester’s Wisdom Hospice and St Christopher’s Hospice in Bromley.

This year’s walk was held at Port Lympne Wild Animal Park near Hythe and an additional cheque for £5,000 was presented to the John Aspinall Foundation, a charity devoted to protecting rare and endangered animals.

A total of £763,000 has been raised for Kent hospices over 12 years of charity walks.

The MVS provides safety boats for high-profile events across the county, from the River Medway to Deal. The charity, which has 35 units in the UK, supports the coastguard and RNLI at maritime events and emergencies.

The new inflatable boat will be named the MVS Master Brew and will be used to train volunteers in vital maritime safety skills. Most importantly, it will enable the service once again to be ready to respond to coastal and river emergencies, as it has throughout its proud history.

The boat was unveiled at a launch event at The Royal Albion Hotel, Broadstairs, attended by Shepherd Neame president Robert Neame (see picture).

Port officer for East Kent, Geoff Shaw-Case, said: “We are very proud and grateful to Shepherd Neame for its support. This boat is the most important part of our equipment and will enable our members to use their skills, by being in the right place at the right time.”

Shepherd Neame pubs in new research A new research project on pubs across the UK has revealed excellent news for Shepherd Neame. Market researchers him! have interviewed more than 5,000 pub goers as part of their ontrack survey to find out their opinions on aspects of modern pubs.

The project also highlights developments in the market, with style giving way to substance; the bars of the ‘90s are losing out to pubs which

offer niche and speciality drinks, a good atmosphere, welcoming outside space and a good range of food.

Customer satisfaction at Shepherd Neame pubs was ‘best in class’ across seven out of 10 areas surveyed, including speed and friendliness of service, atmosphere, seating comfort, cleanliness and safety.

Loyalty was also high: more than 90% of visitors to a Shepherd Neame pub are happy to recommend it.

Shepherd Neame houses also scored highly for pub food in all categories: food service, quality, menu range, value for money and the availability of healthy options.

Breath of fresh air After centuries of smoky pubs, the smoking ban is a major change for pubs, licensees and their customers.

Master Brewer talked to some of our staff and customers to find out how the new smoking legislation is being received across the Shepherd Neame estate.

Louise Neary (pictured below left), new tenant of The Chequers at Doddington, decided to take the plunge as a licensee with the advent of the smoking ban.

Neither she nor partner Shaun Wheelen have ever smoked, although both have worked in various pubs and clubs over the years.

“The smoking ban was the big factor in taking on our own pub,” said Louise. “There is no way I would have come into it otherwise.

“It’s one thing working in a pub and going home but I could not have lived with it 24/7, with smoke drifting up through the ceiling into the living areas.”

Master Brewer asked a selection of customers what they thought of the smoking ban.

Alan Elphick “As a non-smoker this has made no difference to me except that you come to the pub to socialise so if your friends are smokers and they go outside, then you end up going outside too. Things may change when winter comes as people are less likely to stand out in the cold.”

Alan Hunter “The pub is better than it was – it smells fresher and there are less people hanging around at the bar.”

Chris Callaghan “The pub is cleaner and smells better and on the whole it is great.”

master brewer page 21

Malcolm Godley “I have smoked all my life but in the past few months I have accustomed myself to not smoking when I have a drink.

I am happy to sit inside and talk to my non-smoking friends.”

Dave Lindridge “I have cut down slightly since the ban. I have sympathy for small pubs with no garden.”

Energy saving has

PDX-Factor As part of the company’s drive to improve energy efficiency, the brewery has installed an innovative PDX heating system for its copper boilers. The high-technology heater has improved energy efficiency by 50% in the brewhouse and greatly reduced water usage.

Production and distribution director Ian Dixon commented: “It’s this kind of efficiency improvement which won us the Queen’s Award for Sustainable Development and National Business Award. We are continuously looking at ways to reduce our carbon footprint, without compromising on the flavour or quality of our beers.”

Originally created for marine engines, PDX harnesses shockwave technology and is subject to 40 patents granted and pending worldwide.

Efficient energy use secures environmental award The brewery’s continued efforts to cut energy use have been recognised again after winning the corporate social responsibility category at the Business XL10 Company of the Year Awards. Head brewer David Holmes collected the award from Timothy Campbell, a former winner of BBC TV’s The Apprentice.

Major development of the brewery Three new developments at the brewery have saved time and money and made life more comfortable for staff.

In the first phase of a major investment in the bottling plant, more than £675,000 has been spent on a palletiser and depalletiser, which carry new bottles onto the line then take them off and shrink wrap them ready for shipping.

The brewery has also invested in another shrink wrap machine and now presentation cases, promotional packs, Spitfire tubes and the Kent Collection are assembled in-house.

The cask racking line has been fully automated, making the process quicker, easier, safer and more energy efficient.

Head brewer David Holmes said: “This has also had the effect of making the job more ergonomically friendly for staff.

The new kit takes out the old shive and keystone in one swift motion.”

Learning about responsible drinking Shepherd Neame has become one of the first partners of the British Institute of Innkeeping’s (BII) new initiative to promote responsible alcohol education for young people.

A key partner of the ‘School’s Hospitality Project’, the brewery has signed up to work directly with a number of local schools and colleges, including The Queen Elizabeth Grammar School and The Abbey School, Faversham.

The brewery is currently training some of its staff to become outreach counsellors, whose role it will be to give talks to the students.

Two Faversham licensees, David Little at The Anchor and Chris McClean at The Railway, have also signed up to the scheme.

Jonathan Neame said: “The BII project is just what the industry needs and it sits very well with a lot of the work that we are already doing to support our local schools.

“Evidence of binge and underage drinking are extremely concerning and we need to give young people the

confidence and knowledge to experience alcohol with maturity.

“We feel that as a responsible brewer and pub operator we must be involved in ensuring that our youngsters are well-informed about the dangers of alcohol misuse.”

The brewery sponsors a Kent Peer Drama Competition, which aims to raise awareness of the issues such as alcohol affecting young people, and is working closely with Kent Police. Earlier this year saw the brewery playing host to the Kent School’s Conference.

Limited edition ales from new microbrewery A new microbrewery sprang into action this summer, enabling the company to brew unique ales for special occasions and events.

Representatives from the local CAMRA branch joined our brewers to launch the new five-barrel microbrewery.

Bob Thompson and Linda Clarke from CAMRA’s Swale branch helped brew and christen the first ale – a classic dark mild, which was available at the CAMRA Kent Beer Festival.

Old Faversham Dark was brewed to a traditional dark mild recipe using a combination of pale ale, crystal and black malts with East Kent Goldings hops and

the company’s own ale yeast resulting in a classic mild ale with delicate hop flavours and a distinct smoky quality.

The ale came second out of 53 Kent ales tested by experts in blind tasting at the festival.

Ian Dixon said: “The microbrewery allows our brewers to test new recipes and to use malts that we wouldn’t normally use. We can now offer unique ales for a limited time at selected pubs and events, tailor-made to suit the occasion.

We’re hoping to create some real gems.”

Other brews have included Cobtree Mild for the Maidstone Beer Festival, Faversham Steam Ale for the Faversham Hop Festival and What’s Brewed, produced by What’s Brewing editor Tom Stainer for the St Albans Beer Festival.

Beer comes the bride Bride Karen Burr and groom Richard Snell made history this September as the first couple in the UK to get married in a brewery.

The couple, from Teynham, held a ceremony for 40 people in the Shepherd Neame brewhouse, followed by a meal and party in the visitor centre. Bottles of ale were labelled with the newlyweds’ names and the date of the wedding.

Land of hop and glory Jack Wahlberg, Faversham’s new town crier, made his first major appearance in the town at this year’s Hop Festival.

Sponsored by the brewery, Jack entertained the crowds with announcements and news of hop festival events using the “nom de cri” Jack Sprat as a horn quartet welcomed crowds on the platform at Faversham.

“I thought it would be nice to have an old-fashioned name, rather

than my own name,” said 62-year-old Jack. “It suits me because I am quite tall and thin.”

Jack, from Uplees, Oare, is semi-retired and drives for a respite care centre in Faversham.

Faversham has not had a town crier since the beginning of World War II, and when the Faversham Society decided to revive the tradition of having a town crier, Jack volunteered.

Counting our blessings

If you are running an event and have a great idea for a beer then get in touch with your account manager

Richard said that the brewery, which was licensed for weddings earlier this year, was the perfect venue: “The great thing about getting married at the brewery is you can have the reception there and it’s a lovely building with lots of history.”

For more information about brewery weddings and special events telephone 01795 542285.

Boughton under Blean, followed by a hop-picker’s lunch at nearby Wellbrook Oast at Wellbrook Farm.

Earlier in the day, visitors were told of the health benefits of beer in the Goldings Lecture, delivered by Professor Jonathan Powell, from the Medical Research Council’s Human Nutrition Research unit at Cambridge.

Professor Powell spoke of recent research into beer and demonstrated that the simple natural ingredients of barley, hops and water have significant health benefits, particularly with regard to bone health.

Research has already shown that it is a source of silicon, which increases bone strength and reduces the risk of bone decay and osteoporosis, particularly in women.

More recent findings from Professor Powell show that, as part of a healthy diet, moderate alcohol consumption contributes to both suppressing loss of bone density and bone building. This appears to be as a combined result of three components unique to beer: alcohol, silicon and hop compounds.

master brewer page 23

Staff, local growers and guests celebrated the hop harvest at the parish church of St Peter and St Paul in

Brewer Stewart Main at the new microbrewery

Holsten Export on the oche Darts players had the chance to compete against a world champion at the finals of the Holsten Export on the Oche tournament at the Tudor Livesey Sports and Social Club, Catford on 31 July.

Each of the 13 finalists played former Embassy World Championship winner Steve “The Bronzed Adonis” Beaton and, although no one managed to beat him, Neal Montgomery from Rainham WMC, Essex, was declared the winner after achieving the best aggregate score.

The knockout stages of the tournament, run in partnership with World of Darts, began in January.

Nearly 1,600 darts players from more than 100 managed, tenanted and free trade houses took part.

Left to right: Tony Wallbridge from Shepherd Neame, former world champion Steve Beaton and competition winner Neil Montgomery

Shepherd Neame Twenty20 club championship Cricket clubs from across Kent, Surrey, Essex and Middlesex drew the season to a close in style, at the Shepherd Neame Twenty20 Club Championship held at The County Ground at Beckenham.

Kent finalists Bromley played Surrey winners Old Whitgiftians in the first semi-final, and Middlesex finalists Finchley played against Saffron Walden, who triumphed in the Essex competition.

The championships’ total prize fund worth was more than £10,000.

Kent cup win

Sport Credit: KM Group

Away from the crease, Kent also celebrated success in the Mascot race - with Spitfire bombing past Lancashire’s Lanky the Giraffe at the last!

Published on behalf of Shepherd Neame by Edwards Harvey, The Mill House, Hollingworth Court, Maidstone, Kent ME14 5PP Printed on 80% recycled stock that has been awarded the NAPM and Eugropa recycled certificates

master brewer page 24

Kent Spitfires, sponsored by Spitfire Premium Kentish Ale, clinched a thrilling four-wicket victory over Gloucestershire with just three balls to spare in the Twenty20 Cup final at Edgbaston. Earlier in the day, the Spitfires defeated Sussex by five wickets in the semi final. It’s Kent’s first trophy success since winning the Sunday League in 2001.

Congratulations to the club!

M A S T E R

BREWER Autumn 2007