Kieran Watkins unlocks the secret to the perfect pint on a tour of Shepherd Neame’s brewery

With more than 300 years’ experience, Shepherd Neame prides itself on its Kentish roots, traditional pubs and award-winning beers.

Based in Faversham, a guided tour of the historic brewery reveals the secrets behind the company’s success. Sheps has been brewing beer in the town since 1698, and today rolls out 230,000 barrels a year while also owning around 360 pubs.

It turns out varieties such as the famous Spitfire and Bishops Finger ales, along with lagers such as Hürlimann, the Swiss beer now owned by the company. It also has exclusive agreements in the UK to brew international brands such as Japanese favourite Asahi and Indian beer Kingfisher.

Before the kegs are sent off across the country, each beer is tasted by seven master brewers, along with a taste panel made up of employees. It sounds like the ideal job, but there’s a lot more to it than most people think.

Tour co-ordinator Fran Collins said: “Always remember the three Cs: clarity, colour and condition. When you hold your beer up to the light, you should be able to see through it.”

The brewery produces 1.3 million pints a week, with local ingredients playing a key role in making the perfect pint – a staggering 95% of the hops used in the production of the beer are sourced within a 20-mile radius.

Brewery manager Richard Frost said: “We try to source our raw materials locally, and also get involved a lot in the local community.”

These links have been strengthened by the recent opening of The Old Brewery Store in Faversham, where Sheps will be hosting exhibitions, bands and a whole lot more.

With tours averaging around 20,000 visitors a year and many events planned in the upcoming months, the Shepherd Neame brewery is very much still at the heart of the community.

Shepherd Neame history

1147 King Stephen founded Faversham Abbey, complete with its own ale house

1689 Richard Marsh founded the brewery in the town centre

1864 Percy Beale Neame renames the company and the he Shepherd Neame name comes into existence

1958 Bishops Finger beer introduced

1990 Spitfire beer introduced

2006 The visitor centre at the brewery opens

2011 The visitor centre is named Small Visitor Attraction of the Year in the Enjoy England Awards for Excellence, and Shepherd Neame wins the contract to distribute American beer brand Samuel Adams in the UK and Europe.

Shepherd Neame runs tours of its brewery. Tours last two hours and include a free half and a tasting session. There is also a shop. Tickets cost £11.50. Call 01795 542016, see www.shepherdneame.co.uk, or book on the day through the shop.