The Cask & Glass

Shepherd Neame is Britain's oldest brewer, an independent family business headquartered in Faversham, Kent, with a history traceable to 1698. Operating from the medieval market town of Faversham in the heart of the Garden of England, the company has built a reputation for blending centuries-old brewing traditions with contemporary craft techniques. The brewery produces an award-winning portfolio of classic Kentish ales, modern lagers, ciders, and spirits, drawing heavily on locally sourced ingredients from Kent and surrounding regions.

Its core beer range includes well-established British ales such as Spitfire and Bishops Finger, alongside newer contemporary offerings like First Drop and Iron Wharf. The company also brews internationally recognized lager brands, including Hürlimann and Singha, under license at its Faversham facility. In addition to its mainstream range, Shepherd Neame produces Small Batch ales that channel its deep heritage as Britain's oldest brewer, as well as a rotating Cask Club selection celebrating modern styles with distinctly Kentish roots.

Beyond beer, the company produces Grants Morella Cherry Brandy, a classic 18th-century liqueur that was granted a Royal Warrant in 1998 and has been a royal favourite since the reign of Queen Victoria. Its cider range is crafted to be both vegan-friendly and gluten free, reflecting broad consumer accessibility. Wines and spirits are also curated and distributed through its associated company, Todd's the Wine Company, which sources home-grown and premium products across its hospitality estate.

Shepherd Neame operates nearly 300 pubs and hotels throughout London and the South East of England, spanning from the historic City of London to the Kent coastline. This integrated brewing and hospitality model gives the company direct-to-consumer reach and strong brand presence across a significant geographic footprint. The company champions local and regional producers, working with Kent-based suppliers to stock its pubs and hotels with locally produced wines, spirits, and ciders.

As an independent, family-owned business with over three centuries of continuous operation, Shepherd Neame occupies a unique position in the UK brewing industry — combining heritage brand equity, licensed international brewing, and a vertically integrated pub and hotel estate. Its long-standing presence in the South East makes it a significant player in both the on-trade hospitality sector and the broader British brewing landscape.