BREWERMaster

Spring 2012www.shepherdneame.co.uk

As a member of the Independent Family Brewers ofBritain, Shepherd Neame is pressuring politicians to cutthe cost of eating out by joining a campaign to reduce thelevel of VAT on drink, food and accommodation in pubs.

A reduction in VAT will stimulate jobs and investment inlocal and rural communities. This approach has alreadycreated jobs abroad. Pub contribute an average of£80,000 (Source: BBPA) to their local economy each year,but licensees are struggling because they are hamperedby excessive tax increases and legislation.

It is believed that cutting VAT to 5% in the UK hospitalitysector would create up to 320,000 jobs, many of themin the 16 to 24-year-old age group, which recently hita 17-year high unemployment rate of one million.

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Welcome to the new Master Brewer,which provides a snapshot of the lastsix months at the company. These areinteresting times, both within thebrewery and for the UK as a whole.

Our acquisition of two new hotels,The Bell and The Fayreness, makes usthe largest independent accommodationprovider in Kent. This is an excitingproposition as we prepare not onlyfor the unique events of summer 2012,but – more importantly – their legacy.The Olympics provides a greatopportunity for us to showcase thebreadth of goods and services offeredby Shepherd Neame: great beer, goodfood and high quality accommodation.

However, as important as hotels areto the business, we are delighted byreactions to the recent investments wehave made in community pubs, a vitalpart of our estate. The market has itschallenges – not least unprecedentedduty and VAT levels – but we remaincautiously positive that we are well-positioned to take advantage of anew feeling of optimism we believethis year will bring.

Keep calm and celebrate

Jonathan NeameChief Executive, Shepherd Neame

BUILDINGFORTHEFUTURE

VATCUTWILLHELP JOBS

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ACHIEVINGSUCCESS

Enjoy England Awards Presentation Shepherd Neame Visitors Centre

Shepherd Neame Distribution Centre

The company is celebrating more awards, this time forthe production and distribution department as well as theVisitor Centre.

Shepherd Neame was named Team of the Year in the EuropeanSupply Chain Excellence Awards 2011, beating global companiesincluding Coca Cola, DHL and Vodafone.

This is the third major award for improvements to the supply chain,following successes at the Manufacturer of the Year Awards 2010and the Process Excellence Awards 2010.

Meanwhile, the brewery Visitor Centre was awarded a HighlyCommended in the Tourism South East Beautiful South ExcellenceAwards – known as the ‘Tourism Oscars’.

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The Bear Inn: Pride of place is a bespoke recreation of a brass lamp

The Bearwas boughtby thebrewery in

1736

THE BEAR, FAVERSHAMResponsibility for running Faversham’s oldest pub is not takenlightly, so we are delighted with the response from new customersand regulars alike to a £60,000 makeover.

The pub’s a rare gem as it maintains a traditional three-bar systemof a saloon, public and snug.

The Bear Inn, thought to be 500 years old, was bought by thebrewery in 1736.

Situated opposite the Guildhall, the pub has witnessed manyof the town’s most important historical events such as a visit byQueen Elizabeth I and its role in the Glorious Revolution of 1688.

The Bear Inn, Faversham

INVESTINGINOURPUBS

Crown & Sceptre, Dover

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On average, each UK pubcontributes£2,500 to localcharitable causes every year

The Fountain: new licensee David Foster and his wife, Arisara

FOUNTAIN, SITTINGBOURNESituated close to the town’s station, a £60,000 refurbishment atThe Fountain reflects its railway heritage with features, signageand images from its Victorian heyday.

New licensee David Foster’s wife, Arisara, is Thai and in charge inthe kitchen, producing authentic dishes from her homeland.

CROWN & SCEPTRE, DOVERWork at the Crown & Sceptre, Dover, is complete leaving a bright andairy interior, not least thanks to the removal of two interior walls.

To ensure customers did not miss out on their favourite Kentish ales,resourceful licensee Matt Birchenough served beer from a marquee inthe garden while the project was carried out.

The £60,000 investment has been warmly welcomed by regulars,with some of Matt’s customers having visited the community pub formore than 40 years.

THE IMPERIAL, SOUTHBOROUGHLady Mayoress Jacqui Jedrzejewski was on hand to pull a ceremonialpint to officially open this imposing community pub following a£125,000 investment.

Key features such as an all glass lobby, wine bottle chandelier and‘bookcase’ wallpaper make for a stylish and contemporary interior.

The opening is being overseen by new licensees, former City workerDeclan Agnew and former teacher, Caroline Webb.

Declan Agnew, licensee of The Imperial, Southborough

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Spanish Galleon Tavern, GreenwichFish and chips are the order of the day in this town centre pubwhich is popular with locals and tourists alike.

A £50,000 refurbishment has seen the introduction of a food barin classic fish and chip shop style, complete with tiling, stainlesssteel counter and a dumb waiter.

The historic pub enjoys a prime spot just a few metres from theCutty Sark and Greenwich Park which is due for a boost from thissummer’s Olympic Games where it will host the Olympic Equestrianand Modern Pentathlon Events.

Designed and built by Joseph Kay in 1834, in the reign of William IV,the Spanish Galleon Tavern retains many of its original features anddisplays a wealth of artefacts, maps and other curiosities relatingto the area’s naval heritage.

Fish and chips at the Spanish Galleon

INVESTINGINOURPUBS

The average UKconsumer goesout for foodand drink198times a year

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PART OF FAMILYAfter 16 years working with the brewery, Marine Hotelmanagers David and Glynis Feasey have retired.

Shepherd Neame retail director Nigel Bunting said:“David and Glynis have developed The Marine Hotel intoa well-established and thriving business. In addition to theirwork at the hotel, they have also catered for many majorfunctions at the brewery, including our AGMs. We are verythankful for their loyalty, hard work and dedication andwish them both well for their well-earned retirement.”

Retail director Nigel Bunting, David and Glynis Feasey and chief executive Jonathan Neame

Todd’s Wine BarThe Jamaica Wine House, one of the City’s most iconic pubs,has opened a new wine bar in its former cellar: Todd’s Wine Bar.

Tucked away in St Michael’s Alley, off Cornhill, The Jamaica WineHouse – affectionately known as the Jampot – attracts clientelefrom within the Square Mile as well as tourists on walking tours.

The intimate bar, a complementary feature to the bustling pubabove, offers a variety of the finest wine and champagne fromTodd’s the Wine Company, as well as Kentish ales, internationallagers, classic cocktails and bistro-style food.

15 millionpeople socialise in theUK’s pubs each week

The Saatchi Gallery, Chelsea

Pioneering US craft beer Samuel Adams Boston Lager is to bebrewed under licence in the UK for the first time, followingan agreement between the Boston Beer Company andShepherd Neame.

The 4.9% abv lager will be available on draught to the on-tradefrom mid-April, served in two-thirds of a pint glasses. It willalso be available in ‘Samuel Adams’-embossed 330ml and500ml bottles from the autumn.

Shepherd Neame chief executive Jonathan Neame said:“This partnership with the Boston Beer Company is a landmarkevent for US craft beer in the UK and further strengthens ourenviable portfolio of distinctive international lagers. We haveenjoyed great success brewing and marketing Asahi Super Dryunder licence in the UK and look forward to extending thatsuccess with Samuel Adams Boston Lager, building outlets andsales volumes in both the on- and off-trades.”

Japanese lager Asahi is maintaining its profile at some of the UK’s mosticonic locations.

The lager's search for the UK's most creative mixologist culminatedin a glittering final at London’s Saatchi Gallery. Leon Dalloway of BarAustralasia, Manchester, was crowned champion at the Asahi MolecularMasters Final, beating strong competition from some of the UK’sbest bartenders.

Capitalising on the brand’s exclusive bar at the Royal Albert Hall, Asahiwill repeat its beer sponsorship of the AEGON Masters Tennis at theiconic London venue in 2012. The event attracts the sport’s biggestnames, including John McEnroe, Mark Philippoussis, Pat Cash andGoran Ivanisevic.

INVESTING IN

ASAHI SERVED INLEADINGUKVENUES

UKFIRST FORUSCRAFTBEER

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The promotion enjoyed a huge response from the services

GLORIOUS 2012 FORSPITFIRE

OURBRANDS

We supportmore than 400sporting, culturaland communityevents a year

Spitfire Ale is gearing up for a great year forBritain with Glorious 2012; limited editionbranding on the brewery’s flagship beer brand.

The striking designs (pictured) on bottles andcans meet customer demand for a beer thatcelebrates the range of events which hit themarket almost simultaneously: HM The Queen’sDiamond Jubilee, the UEFA European FootballChampionships and the London 2012 Olympics.

It’s been a busy 12 months for the beer, havingenjoyed a hugely successful official partnershipwith men’s health charity, Movember. Spitfire’sconsumers raised £68,000 for the cause,which raises awareness of men’s health issuesby encouraging them to grow moustachesthroughout November.

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Glorious 2012 outer packaging

Two senior appointments have been made atthe brewery. Mark Rider is the new financeand IT director.

Mark, 35, joined Shepherd Neame fromretailer J Sainsbury plc where he hadbeen head of finance for food since 2008.Before joining the company in 2001,Mark qualified as a chartered accountantwith PricewaterhouseCoopers (UK). He livesin Bromley with wife, Katherine, and two-yearold daughter Harriet and is a keen golfer.

Upon his appointment, Mark said: “Havingbeen born in Kent, I’ve always been familiarwith Shepherd Neame, both through its pubsand its sport sponsorship. I’ve always admiredthe company and its brands and I lookforward to working in an independent,family company.”

Shepherd Neame chairman Miles Templemansaid: “I am delighted to welcome Mark toShepherd Neame. We are confident that hisexperience during 10 years at Sainsbury’swill be of significant benefit to the companyas we continue to develop our business.

BuildingaStrongTeam

Finance and IT Director Mark Rider

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In brewing, responsibilities do not come muchmore daunting than taking on the mantelof head brewer at Britain’s oldest brewery,but Richard Frost more than measures up.

With more than 30 years’ experience in allaspects of the industry, Richard arrives fromBanks’s Brewery in Wolverhampton, part ofMarston’s plc.

With a B.Sc.(Hons) and Dip. Master Brewerto his name, Richard joins Shepherd Neame’salready highly experienced team.

Speaking after a month in the role, Richardsaid: “Becoming head brewer at Britain’soldest brewer is a dream job and I’ve wastedno time in immersing myself into life at thebrewery. There are some extremely impressiveand modern aspects to brewing at ShepherdNeame, but running a modern, efficientoperation in such old buildings is not withoutits challenges, so I’m sure I’ll be kept on mytoes. Added to that is the excitement ofbrewing both traditional ales and some of theworld’s most renowned international lagers.”

Production and distribution director,Tom Falcon said: “Despite our traditionalvalues and methods, we are always lookingat ways to improve our systems and processes.Richard has already shown he has the energyand enthusiasm to keep the brewing teamahead of the curve.”

Outside of work, Richard is married to wifeKate, and the couple have two grown upchildren, Tom and Amy. When he’s not playinggolf or cycling, Richard is busy scouring theKent countryside house-hunting.

Head Brewer Richard Frost

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Our new entertainment venue has launched with a packedseason of events from live music to fashion photography courses.

With capacity for up to 440 people, The Old Brewery Store, canhost parties, conferences, corporate functions and award nights.To discuss bookings or to book event tickets, call the bookings’hotline on 01795 542285.

/oldbrewerystore /oldbrewerystore

www.oldbrewerystore.co.uk

Comedian Ade Edmondson visited the brewery as part of hisnew ITV series, Ade in Britain.

The star of Bottom and The Young Ones tried his hand atbrewing Spitfire Ale with help from senior brewer StewartTricker, as part of a series which looks at great British foodand drink.

But would Stewart give him the chance to brew again?“Ade visited one of our nearby hop gardens, he mashed inat the brewhouse and he particularly enjoyed his time in thesampling room. We’ll forgive him the transgression of tryingto make a quick getaway from the brewery with a cask ofbeer on his back.”

THEOLDBREWERY STORE

ADE INBRITAIN

OURROLE INTHECOMMUNITY

Live music nights have been sell-outs Beer and food evenings

Senior Brewer Stuart Tricker showed Ade the ropes

Popular photography courses The Open Golf media evening

The Neame family has run Kent’s Shepherd Neame brewery forfive generations but whatever happened to the Shepherds?

Following the discovery of two previously unknown ledgers,brewery archivist and historian John Owen is now able to answerthat question with a new book, The Shepherds of ShepherdNeame 1737-1875.

Priced £13.45, it is available from the Shepherd Neame VisitorCentre shop, online at www.shepherdneame.co.uk/shop and atbookshops in the Faversham area.

SHEPHERDSOFSHEPHERDNEAME

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