Goachers Brewery
Goachers is the oldest of the new brewers, based in an industrial unit at Tovil just outside Maidstone. It is a traditional brewery that only uses malt and Kentish hops for all of its beers. Founded in 1983, Phil and Debbie Goacher have concentrated on brewing good wholesome beers with no gimmicks and their mild, light and Crown Imperial Stout have all been named CAMRA beers of the year. Goachers beers can to be found in their two tied houses and in free trade pubs mainly in mid Kent. In addition they brew "house beers", Dering Ale at the Dering Arms, Pluckley, being one pub in the branch area where their beers can be sampled.
Checked: 8/3/2010
Goacher's Maidstone Ales,
Unit 8,
Tovil Green Business Park,
Maidstone, Kent,
ME15 6TATel: 01622 682112
Website: www.goachers.com
Hopdaemon Brewery
Hopdaemon Brewery, opened by Tonie Prins in 2001, is a 12-barrel brewery in Canterbury and within 6 months was supplying more than 30 pubs in the area, as well as bottle conditioned, own label beers for the London Museum, Southwark Cathedral and the Science Museum and more recently the Barbican and National Gallery. In 2005, the brewery moved to larger premises in Newham and some 100 outlets are now supplied, several within the Deal, Dover & Sandwich area together with their bottled beers being available in the local supermarkets and off licences.
Checked: 8/3/2010
Hopdaemon Brewery Co Ltd,
Unit 1, Parsonage Farm,
Seed Road,
Newnham, Kent,
ME9 0NATel: 01795 892078
Website: www.hopdaemon.com
Email: info@hopdaemon.com
Larkins Brewery
Larkins Brewery commenced brewing in 1986 when the Dockerty's, a family of farmers and hop growers, bought the Tunbridge Wells Brewery. The Company moved to Larkins Farm, located in Chiddlingstone near Edenbridge in 1987. Since then the production of three regular beers and potent black porter in the winter months has steadily increased. Brews are made using only Kentish hops, yeast and malt; no sugars or other brewing adjuncts are added to their beers. Larkin's beer can be found in their tied house "The Rock at Chiddingstone Hoath" and several free houses within a 20 mile radius of the brewery.
Checked: 8/3/2010
Larkins Brewery,
Larkins Farm,
Hampkins Hill Road,
Chiddingstone,
Edenbridge, Kent,
TN8 7BBTel: 01892 870328
Millis Brewery
Millis Brewery was started by John Millis with a half-barrel plant at home in Gravesend. Demand outstripped the facility and Millis moved in 2003 to a new site, a former farm cold store with a 10-barrel plant. John now supplies some 40 pubs and clubs within a 50 mile radius of Dartford with a range of beers including Kentish Dark Mild (ABV 3.5%), Dartford Wobbler (4.3%) and Kentish Red Ale (4.3%) together with Winter Witch at 4.8%) during the months from October to March.
Checked: 8/3/2010
Millis Brewing Co Ltd,
St Margaret's Farm,
St Margaret's Road,
South Darenth,
Dartford, Kent,
DA4 9LBTel: 01322 866233
Moodley's Microbrewery
Moodley's microbrewery was set up by Yudhistra Moodley in his home village of Rusthall in Kent.
Checked: 8/3/2010
30 Erskine Park Road,
Rusthall,
Tunbridge Wells,
Kent,
TN4 8URTel: 01892 889877
Website: www.moodleys.co.uk
Email: yudhistra@moodleys.co.uk
Nelson Brewery
The Nelson Brewery, originally the Flagship Brewery, is located within Chatham's preserved Georgian Dockyard and distributes to about 150 outlets with other supplies available via wholesalers and other breweries. They brew a wide range of beers usually with a naval name with strengths ranging from ABV 3.5% to 6% including "Pieces of Eight", "Nelson's Blood" and "Frigging in the Rigging"
Checked: 8/3/2010
Nelson Brewing Co Ltd,
Unit 2, Building 64,
The Historic Dockyard,
Chatham, Kent
ME4 4TETel: 01634 832828
Website: www.nelsonbrewingcompany.co.uk
Email: sales@nelsonbrewingcompany.co.uk
Old Dairy Brewery
A traditional micro-brewer based in the heart of Kent with a passion for beer
Checked: 08/03/2010
The Old Dairy Brewing Co Ltd,
The Old Parlour,
Benenden Road,
Rolvenden,
Cranbrook, Kent,
TN17 4JDTel: 01580 243185
Website: olddairybrewery.com/
Email: fineale@olddairybrewery.com
Ramsgate Brewery
Ramsgate Brewery was established by Lois and Eddie Gadd in 2002, in a derelict restaurant on the sea front. The beers are brewed with Kentish hops and English malts only. In 2006 the brewery moved to an industrial estate in Broadstairs, allowing for increased capacity and bottling. Their most regular beers are Nos. 3, 5,and 7 in descending order of strength with refreshing additions including Seasider, Sandboy and Faithful Dogbolter at 5.6%. Gadd's beers can be obtained in many free houses within the area and the bottle-conditioned beers have been available in Tesco's and Threshers.
Checked: 8/3/2010
Unit 1, Hornet Close,
Pysons Rd Industrial Estate,
Broadstairs,
Kent,
CT10 2YDTel: 01843 868453
Website: www.ramsgatebrewery.co.uk
Email: info@ramsgatebrewery.co.uk
Shepherd Neame
Shepherd Neame was founded in 1698 in Faversham and claims to be the oldest continuous brewery in country. Interestingly records show that brewing began on the site as far back as the 12th century. The brewery has recently been expanded to produce up to 200,000 barrels a year. All Shepherd Neame ales use locally sourced ingredients, with the cask ales made from Kentish hops, locally sourced barley and water from the companies own artesian well.
Checked: 8/3/2010
Shepherd Neame Limited,
17 Court Street,
Faversham, Kent,
ME13 7AXTel: 01795 532206
Fax: 01795 538907
Website: www.shepherdneame.co.uk
Swan on the Green
Swan on the Green is basically a brew pub established in 2000 to produce hand crafted beers for their pub in West Peckham between Maidstone and Paddock Wood. The beers are not filtered and no artificial ingredients are used. It is well worth visiting the pub since the beers rarely feature elsewhere, although they occasionally appear at beer festivals and other free houses.
Checked: 8/3/2010
The Swan on the Green,
The Green,
West Peckham,
Maidstone, Kent,
ME18 5JWTel: 01622 812271
Website: www.swan-on-the-green.co.uk
Email: info@swan-on-the-green.co.uk
Wantsum Brewery
Wantsum Brewery was set-up by James Sandy in October 2009. Initial production will be 48 firkins a week with plans to increase to 72 firkins. Beers will be named after pivotal events in Kent's history. They include 1381 (named after the date of the Peasants' Revolt), Turbulent Priest (in honour of martyred Archbishop Thomas Becket) and Black Pig, the name for the ships of the Spanish Armada, whose wreckage was washed up on the coast near Deal after they were sunk by the English fleet. Beers will also be available in bottles.
Checked: 8/3/2010
Wantsum Brewery,
Sparrows Way,
Lakesview Industrial Park,
Hersden,
Canterbury, Kent,
CT3 4ALTel: 08450 405980
Email: wantsumbrewery@googlemail.com
Westerham Brewery
Westerham Brewery was set-up by Robert Wicks in 2004 to brew using modern copper and stainless steel equipment. He has restored brewing in Westerham that was lost when the Black Eagle brewery was taken over by Ind Coope in 1959 and closed in 1965. Two of the Black Eagle yeast strains were deposited in the national collection of Yeast Cultures and are being used to create the true flavour of Westerham beers. The new brewery is located at the National Trust's Grange Farm and uses the same water supply as Black Eagle. The beers can be found in free houses in Kent, Surrey and Sussex. British Bulldog is the most common bitter at 4.3% ABV and a bottle conditioned bitter "Scotney Ale" can be purchased in local National Trust shops.
Checked: 8/3/2010
Westerham Brewery Company Ltd,
Grange Farm,
Pootings Road,
Crockham Hill,
Edenbridge, Kent,
TN8 6SATel: 01732 864427
Website: www.westerhambrewery.co.uk
Email: info@westerhambrewery.co.uk
Whitstable Brewery
Whitstable Brewery was created when the Swale and North Weald Brewery was sold in 2003 to the Green family, who initially produced beer for their outlets in Whitstable and beer festivals. The company has now decided to supply beer further afield, their bottled beers including East India Pale Ale and Oyster Stout, have been available in Waitrose supermarkets and the Bohemian in Deal on a recent visit.
Checked: 8/3/2010
Whitstable Brewery,
c/o 29 Beach Walk,
Whitstable,
Kent, CT5 2BP
Brewery address:
Little Telpits Farm,
Woodcock Lane,
Grafty Green,
Maidstone, Kent,
ME17 2AYTel: 01622 851007
Website: www.whitstablebrewery.info
Email: whitstablebrewer@btconnect.com
Badgers Hill Farm
Open 6 days per week for sales, does not do wholesale, so £60 for a 5 gallon keg
Checked: 8/3/2010
Badgers Hill Farm,
Newcut Road,
Chilham,
Canterbury, Kent,
CT4 8BWTel: 01227 730573
Website: www.made-in-kent.co.uk
Biddenden Vineyards & Cider Works
Biddenden Vineyard is Kent's oldest commercial vineyard, having been established by the Barnes family in 1969. The vineyards are set in 22 acres on a gentle south facing slope in a shallow sheltered valley, 1.2 miles from the lovely Wealden village of Biddenden. Ten varieties of grapes are grown to produce White, Red, Rosˇ and Quality Sparkling wines. Traditional Kentish ciders have also been made here for over 20 years together with farm pressed apple juices. Note: Description taken from Biddenden Vineyards' website.
Checked: 8/3/2010
Biddenden Vineyards,
Gribble Bridge Lane,
Biddenden, Kent
TN27 8DFTel: 01580 291726
Website: www.biddendenvineyards.com
Email: info@biddendenvineyards.co.uk
Big Tree Cider
Produced about 600 litres in 2008 and more will be available in 2009. Two products: Big Tree Original, light tasting with a deceptive kick, and Appley Ever After, a pleasant sparkle on the tongue followed by a dry, fruity taste.
Checked: 9/3/2010
Big Tree Cider,
The Knoll,
Church Road,
Hartley, Kent
DA3 8DTTel: 01474 705221
Website: www.cclweb.co.uk
Email: hartleycider@hotmail.co.uk
Broomfield Orchard
Small producer, producing dry, medium and sweet unpasturised cider. Opening times vary, so telephone before visiting.
Checked: 9/3/2010
Broomfield Orchard,
Broomfield Road,
Herne, Kent,
CT6 7AYContact: Margaret & Robert Riley
Tel: 01227 362279
Castle Cider Company
Small producer, selling all their cider locally. Nothing available for festivals
Checked: 9/3/2010
Castle Cider Company,
Nestlewood,
Wickhurst Road,
Weald,
Sevenoaks, Kent,
TN14 6LYTel: 01732 455977
Chafford Cider
Produce 600 -700 gallons per year. 5 gallons available for £30.
Checked: 9/3/2010
Chafford Cider,
Chafford Rise,
Fordcombe, Kent,
TN3 0SHTel: 01892 740437
Double Vision Cider
Medium &Dry Cider, Perry. Can do litre bottles, 10/20 litre boxes or 5 gallon containers. Single varieties in 500ml bottles - Cox, Gala, Katy
Checked: 1/1/2009
Double Vision Cider,
Marlpit Farm,
Wierton Road,
Boughton Monchelsea,
Maidstone, Kent,
ME17 4JWTel: 01622 746633
Johnson's Farmhouse Cider
As well as his normal blended cider, he has small quantities of cider from his own orchard for the first time in 2008. (5 gallon kegs)
Checked: 1/1/2009
Isle of Sheppey Contact: Paul Johnson
Tel: 01795 665203
Kent Cider Company
New for 2008
Checked: 1/1/2009
Contact: Mark Henderson
Mob: 07738 5703818
Neal's Place Farm
Cider available in bottles only.
Checked: 1/1/2009
Neals Place Farm,
Neals Place Road,
Canterbury, Kent,
CT2 8HXTel: 01227 765632
Pawley Farm Cider
Dry/medium/sweet/spiced only available in bottles.
Checked: 1/1/2009
Pawley Farm,
Painters Forstal,
Faversham, Kent,
ME13 0ENTel: 01795 532043
Website: www.made-in-kent.co.uk
Pippins Cider
No cider currently available - possibly starting up again in the autumn of 2008
Checked: 1/1/2009
Pippens Cider,
PemburyTel: 01892 824544
Rough Old Wife
Have been making cider for 2 years and is a new producer in the Kent region. Supplies predominantly in 20 litre sealed box-in-bag systems, at £2 a pint, for pub trade but can supply in smaller "collect yourself" amounts to callers at the farm. Can do larger mail order volume upon request.
Checked: 1/1/2009
Cider is made completely naturally from their own 250 mixed variety apple tree orchard at Old Wives Lees. A mixture of Bramley, Worcester and Crispin apples, aged in oak whiskey barrels, is used to produce around 1500 litres of a clear, very dry cider, which has gained a good following. Plans on increasing production for next year.
Rough Old Wife,
Cork Farm,
Hawkin's Rough Orchard,
Old Wives Lees,
Canterbury, CT4 8BNContact: Simon Reed
Tel: 07768 36435
Website: www.rougholdwife.com
Email: rougholdwife@btinternet.com
Brewery descriptions reproduced with kind permission of Ashford, Folkestone & Romney Marsh Branch of CAMRA
Last updated: 10th March 2010