Faversham Attractions

Venue: Shepherd Neame Brewery    When: Daily; Weekdays only

Voted (by The Publican awards) the winner of the Managed Pub Company of the Year in 2005, Shepherd Neame Brewery opens its doors for tours and a chance to sample its finest ales, which can also be enjoyed in the company's 360 pubs in London and the South East. Your taste buds could not be in safer hands - this is Britain's oldest brewer!

It was Cluniac monks from a 12th-century Benedictine monastery on the site of the current brewery who first realised they could combine the pure spring water with the barley grown on surrounding arable land to make a fine ale. The brewery was established as a secular concern in 1698 and has gone from strength to strength, acquiring its Shepherd connection in 1727 and its Neame connection in 1864. It is also the sole survivor of countless other brewers who took advantage of the excellent environmental conditions to make beer. In 1900 there were 60 brewers in Kent. Today there is just Shepherd Neame.

The Faversham Brewery produces more than 5.5 million gallons of beer a year. Traditional real ales with names familiar to beer lovers include Master Brew Bitter, Bishops Finger and Spitfire Premium Ale, first brewed in 1990 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. The brewery also has the license to make Kingfisher and Oranjeboom brands.

A tour takes you to the heart of the brewery, enabling you to see how beer is made from barley to bottle and from hop to hand-pump! En-route, gaze into the traditional mash tuns, where the hand-crafting of Kentish Ales such as Spitfire and Bishop's Finger commences.

The tour also contrasts historic steam engines with the fully-automated bottling line and will give you an insight into the company's 300-year heritage. After sampling some of Shepherd Neame's acclaimed ales and famous lagers, you can visit the Brewery Shop and pick up a souvenir, gift or some beer.