Master
BREWER
www.shepherdneame.co.uk Spring 2012
BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE Welcome to the new Master Brewer, which provides a snapshot of the last six months at the company. These are interesting times, both within the brewery and for the UK as a whole. Our acquisition of two new hotels, The Bell and The Fayreness, makes us the largest independent accommodation provider in Kent. This is an exciting proposition as we prepare not only for the unique events of summer 2012, but – more importantly – their legacy. The Olympics provides a great opportunity for us to showcase the breadth of goods and services offered by Shepherd Neame: great beer, good food and high quality accommodation. However, as important as hotels are to the business, we are delighted by reactions to the recent investments we have made in community pubs, a vital part of our estate. The market has its challenges – not least unprecedented duty and VAT levels – but we remain cautiously positive that we are wellpositioned to take advantage of a new feeling of optimism we believe this year will bring. Keep calm and celebrate
Jonathan Neame Chief Executive, Shepherd Neame
VAT CUT WILL HELP JOBS As a member of the Independent Family Brewers of Britain, Shepherd Neame is pressuring politicians to cut the cost of eating out by joining a campaign to reduce the level of VAT on drink, food and accommodation in pubs. A reduction in VAT will stimulate jobs and investment in local and rural communities. This approach has already created jobs abroad. Pub contribute an average of £80,000 (Source: BBPA) to their local economy each year, but licensees are struggling because they are hampered by excessive tax increases and legislation. It is believed that cutting VAT to 5% in the UK hospitality sector would create up to 320,000 jobs, many of them in the 16 to 24-year-old age group, which recently hit a 17-year high unemployment rate of one million.
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ACHIEVING SUCCESS The company is celebrating more awards, this time for the production and distribution department as well as the Visitor Centre. Shepherd Neame was named Team of the Year in the European Supply Chain Excellence Awards 2011, beating global companies including 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 2010 and the Process Excellence Awards 2010. Meanwhile, the brewery Visitor Centre was awarded a Highly Commended in the Tourism South East Beautiful South Excellence Awards – known as the ‘Tourism Oscars’.
Enjoy England Awards Presentation
Shepherd Neame Distribution Centre
Shepherd Neame Visitors Centre
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INVESTING IN OUR PUBS
The Bear Inn, Faversham
THE BEAR, FAVERSHAM Responsibility for running Faversham’s oldest pub is not taken lightly, so we are delighted with the response from new customers and regulars alike to a £60,000 makeover. The pub’s a rare gem as it maintains a traditional three-bar system of a saloon, public and snug.
The Bear Inn, thought to be 500 years old, was bought by the brewery in 1736. Situated opposite the Guildhall, the pub has witnessed many of the town’s most important historical events such as a visit by Queen Elizabeth I and its role in the Glorious Revolution of 1688.
The Bear was bought by the brewery in
1736
The Bear Inn: Pride of place is a bespoke recreation of a brass lamp
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Crown & Sceptre, Dover
CROWN & SCEPTRE, DOVER Work at the Crown & Sceptre, Dover, is complete leaving a bright and airy interior, not least thanks to the removal of two interior walls. Declan Agnew, licensee of The Imperial, Southborough
THE IMPERIAL, SOUTHBOROUGH
To ensure customers did not miss out on their favourite Kentish ales, resourceful licensee Matt Birchenough served beer from a marquee in the garden while the project was carried out.
Lady Mayoress Jacqui Jedrzejewski was on hand to pull a ceremonial pint to officially open this imposing community pub following a £125,000 investment.
The £60,000 investment has been warmly welcomed by regulars, with some of Matt’s customers having visited the community pub for more than 40 years.
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 worker Declan Agnew and former teacher, Caroline Webb.
On average, each UK pub contributes £2,500 to local charitable causes every year FOUNTAIN, SITTINGBOURNE Situated close to the town’s station, a £60,000 refurbishment at The Fountain reflects its railway heritage with features, signage and images from its Victorian heyday. New licensee David Foster’s wife, Arisara, is Thai and in charge in the kitchen, producing authentic dishes from her homeland.
The Fountain: new licensee David Foster and his wife, Arisara
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INVESTING IN OUR PUBS Spanish Galleon Tavern, Greenwich Fish and chips are the order of the day in this town centre pub which is popular with locals and tourists alike. A £50,000 refurbishment has seen the introduction of a food bar in classic fish and chip shop style, complete with tiling, stainless steel counter and a dumb waiter. The historic pub enjoys a prime spot just a few metres from the Cutty Sark and Greenwich Park which is due for a boost from this summer’s Olympic Games where it will host the Olympic Equestrian and 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 and displays a wealth of artefacts, maps and other curiosities relating to the area’s naval heritage. Fish and chips at the Spanish Galleon
The average UK consumer goes out for food and drink 198 times a year
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Todd’s Wine Bar The 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 Wine House – affectionately known as the Jampot – attracts clientele from within the Square Mile as well as tourists on walking tours. The intimate bar, a complementary feature to the bustling pub above, offers a variety of the finest wine and champagne from Todd’s the Wine Company, as well as Kentish ales, international lagers, classic cocktails and bistro-style food.
15 million people socialise in the UK’s pubs each week
PART OF FAMILY After 16 years working with the brewery, Marine Hotel managers David and Glynis Feasey have retired. Shepherd Neame retail director Nigel Bunting said: “David and Glynis have developed The Marine Hotel into a well-established and thriving business. In addition to their work at the hotel, they have also catered for many major functions at the brewery, including our AGMs. We are very thankful for their loyalty, hard work and dedication and wish them both well for their well-earned retirement.” Retail director Nigel Bunting, David and Glynis Feasey and chief executive Jonathan Neame
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INVESTING IN UK FIRST FOR US CRAFT BEER Pioneering US craft beer Samuel Adams Boston Lager is to be brewed under licence in the UK for the first time, following an agreement between the Boston Beer Company and Shepherd Neame. The 4.9% abv lager will be available on draught to the on-trade from mid-April, served in two-thirds of a pint glasses. It will also be available in ‘Samuel Adams’-embossed 330ml and 500ml bottles from the autumn. Shepherd Neame chief executive Jonathan Neame said: “This partnership with the Boston Beer Company is a landmark event for US craft beer in the UK and further strengthens our enviable portfolio of distinctive international lagers. We have enjoyed great success brewing and marketing Asahi Super Dry under licence in the UK and look forward to extending that success with Samuel Adams Boston Lager, building outlets and sales volumes in both the on- and off-trades.”
ASAHI SERVED IN LEADING UK VENUES Japanese lager Asahi is maintaining its profile at some of the UK’s most iconic locations. The lager's search for the UK's most creative mixologist culminated in a glittering final at London’s Saatchi Gallery. Leon Dalloway of Bar Australasia, Manchester, was crowned champion at the Asahi Molecular Masters Final, beating strong competition from some of the UK’s best bartenders. Capitalising on the brand’s exclusive bar at the Royal Albert Hall, Asahi will repeat its beer sponsorship of the AEGON Masters Tennis at the iconic London venue in 2012. The event attracts the sport’s biggest names, including John McEnroe, Mark Philippoussis, Pat Cash and Goran Ivanisevic.
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The Saatchi Gallery, Chelsea
OUR BRANDS GLORIOUS 2012 FOR SPITFIRE Spitfire Ale is gearing up for a great year for Britain with Glorious 2012; limited edition branding on the brewery’s flagship beer brand. The striking designs (pictured) on bottles and cans meet customer demand for a beer that celebrates the range of events which hit the market almost simultaneously: HM The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, the UEFA European Football Championships and the London 2012 Olympics.
The promotion enjoyed a huge response from the services
We support more than 400 sporting, cultural and community events a year
It’s been a busy 12 months for the beer, having enjoyed a hugely successful official partnership with men’s health charity, Movember. Spitfire’s consumers raised £68,000 for the cause, which raises awareness of men’s health issues by encouraging them to grow moustaches throughout November.
Glorious 2012 outer packaging
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Building a Strong Team Two senior appointments have been made at the brewery. Mark Rider is the new finance and IT director. Mark, 35, joined Shepherd Neame from retailer J Sainsbury plc where he had been head of finance for food since 2008. Before joining the company in 2001, Mark qualified as a chartered accountant with PricewaterhouseCoopers (UK). He lives in Bromley with wife, Katherine, and two-year old daughter Harriet and is a keen golfer. Upon his appointment, Mark said: “Having been born in Kent, I’ve always been familiar with Shepherd Neame, both through its pubs and its sport sponsorship. I’ve always admired the company and its brands and I look forward to working in an independent, family company.” Shepherd Neame chairman Miles Templeman said: “I am delighted to welcome Mark to Shepherd Neame. We are confident that his experience during 10 years at Sainsbury’s will be of significant benefit to the company as we continue to develop our business.
Finance and IT Director Mark Rider 10
In brewing, responsibilities do not come much more daunting than taking on the mantel of head brewer at Britain’s oldest brewery, but Richard Frost more than measures up. With more than 30 years’ experience in all aspects of the industry, Richard arrives from Banks’s Brewery in Wolverhampton, part of Marston’s plc. With a B.Sc.(Hons) and Dip. Master Brewer to his name, Richard joins Shepherd Neame’s already highly experienced team. Speaking after a month in the role, Richard said: “Becoming head brewer at Britain’s oldest brewer is a dream job and I’ve wasted no time in immersing myself into life at the brewery. There are some extremely impressive and modern aspects to brewing at Shepherd Neame, but running a modern, efficient operation in such old buildings is not without its challenges, so I’m sure I’ll be kept on my toes. Added to that is the excitement of brewing both traditional ales and some of the world’s most renowned international lagers.” Production and distribution director, Tom Falcon said: “Despite our traditional values and methods, we are always looking at ways to improve our systems and processes. Richard has already shown he has the energy and enthusiasm to keep the brewing team ahead of the curve.” Outside of work, Richard is married to wife Kate, and the couple have two grown up children, Tom and Amy. When he’s not playing golf or cycling, Richard is busy scouring the Kent countryside house-hunting.
Head Brewer Richard Frost 11
OUR ROLE IN THE COMMUNITY ADE IN BRITAIN Comedian Ade Edmondson visited the brewery as part of his new ITV series, Ade in Britain. The star of Bottom and The Young Ones tried his hand at brewing Spitfire Ale with help from senior brewer Stewart Tricker, as part of a series which looks at great British food and drink. But would Stewart give him the chance to brew again? “Ade visited one of our nearby hop gardens, he mashed in at the brewhouse and he particularly enjoyed his time in the sampling room. We’ll forgive him the transgression of trying to make a quick getaway from the brewery with a cask of beer on his back.” Senior Brewer Stuart Tricker showed Ade the ropes
SHEPHERDS OF SHEPHERD NEAME The Neame family has run Kent’s Shepherd Neame brewery for five 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 answer that question with a new book, The Shepherds of Shepherd Neame 1737-1875. Priced £13.45, it is available from the Shepherd Neame Visitor Centre shop, online at www.shepherdneame.co.uk/shop and at bookshops in the Faversham area. Live music nights have been sell-outs
Beer and food evenings
Popular photography courses
The Open Golf media evening
THE OLD BREWERY STORE Our new entertainment venue has launched with a packed season of events from live music to fashion photography courses. With capacity for up to 440 people, The Old Brewery Store, can host 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 12