Shepherd Neame brews green hops beer for festival

The Kent brewer and pub operator is currently making its limited-edition green hop ale called Oast Dodger 4.5% ABV for the event, which takes place on Saturday and Sunday 3-4 September.

The brewer said beer is usually brewed with dried hops but green hop ales are made using fresh green hops which go from bine to beer in a matter of hours.

Shepherd Neame senior brewer and quality manager Stewart Tricker, technical brewer Danielle Whelan and shift brewer Scott Wilkins travelled the short distance from the Faversham brewery to Parsonage Farm, in Boughton-under-Blean, last week to select and help pick the first hops of the year with farmer Antony Rudgard-Redsell.

Hopped with Fuggles

Tricker said: “We are blessed here at Shepherd Neame to have so many wonderful hops growing right on our doorstep, in the heart of England’s hop county.

“This year’s Oast Dodger has been generously hopped with Fuggles, a truly local hop, originally grown in Brenchley near Tunbridge Wells. Fuggles gives delicate minty, grassy and floral aromas, which are especially prominent when used as a green hop in brewing.

“Beer really doesn’t come any fresher than this. The end result is a fragrant golden ale that boasts a truly unique flavour and aroma. I’m sure it will go down a storm at this year’s hop festival.”

Wide selection of beers

Throughout the weekend, Shepherd Neame will be serving a wide selection of its range, including Oast Dodger (4.5% ABV), Late Red (4.5% ABV), Whitstable Bay Pale Ale (3.9% ABV), Master Brew (3.7% ABV), Bear Island East Coast Pale Ale (4.8%ABV), Spitfire Lager (4% ABV), Singha Premium Thai Lager (5% ABV) and Orchard View Apple Cider (4.5% ABV).

The town’s pubs will also be hosting live music while comedy will also be available to watch at The Old Brewery Store.

Additionally, a number of the brewery’s historic vehicles will feature in the morning parades through the town, which includes three vintage vehicles from its collection.