Shepherd Neame Brewery, 21 February 2025

Gunmaking is run on beer!

At least that’s what a couple of Gunmakers said when the idea of visiting a brewery was suggested.

On Friday 21st February a select few – but discerning – Liverymen (sadly due to work commitments some people had to cancel at the last minute) met up at the Shepherd Neame Brewery in Faversham, Kent.

This is the home of the oldest brewery in the kingdom, sitting cosily in the medieval market town, brewing has been practised here for centuries.  These brewers certainly know their art, their ‘mistery’, and they produce award winning ales with a deservedly international reputation bursting with flavour and bubbles!

After a quick introduction we were all given a hi-vis jacket by our guide Nick and we followed him into the bowels of the building to learn about the mysteries of brewing.

Friday is cleaning day at the brewery, so we did not see too many brewers, but the lager store was a sight to behold. Each vat holds 72000 pints, which we were informed is a lifetime supply for one person if they drink three pints a day from the age of 18 to 85!

After leaving the brewing part of the brewery, we went to look at a collection of the brewery’s classic vehicles, a reconstructed cooper’s workshop and then repaired to the private bar for the ‘serious’ part of the morning – beer tasting.

Usually, I just pick a beer at random when in a pub; however, after careful consideration, I have decided that Whitstable Bay Blond and 1698 are my favourites from the Shepherd Neame stable.

The London Proof House looking ready for the Christmas celebration.

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A brief message from the Master of the Worshipful Company of Gunmakers to all Liverymen at Christmas.
Coat of arms with weapons, flags, and Latin inscription:

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