Kent brewers Shepherd Neame awarded royal warrant

Independent family brewer and pub company Shepherd Neame has been granted use of the royal warrant by His Majesty King Charles III.

Royal warrants are awarded to companies who have regularly supplied goods or services for a minimum of five consecutive years to the royal household.

King Charles III first granted a Royal Warrant to the Faversham-based brewer in 1998, in his former role as the Prince of Wales, for Grant’s Morella Cherry Brandy.

The drink dates back to 1774, and was originally produced by Thomas Grant and Sons in Dover before moving to Maidstone, where it lasted until the 1950s. Shepherd Neame bought the liqueur in 1988.

In 2014, the Prince of Wales also gave permission for the royal warrant to be used on bottles of Shepherd Neame’s Spitfire Amber Ale.

Named after the legendary Supermarine Spitfire, the Kentish ale was first brewed in 1990 to commemorate the Battle of Britain, which was fought in the skies above Kent 50 years prior.

Jonathan Neame, chief executive of Shepherd Neame, said: “We have a long association with the royal family, and are incredibly proud to be among the first UK businesses to be awarded a royal warrant by His Majesty King Charles III.

“As Britain’s oldest brewer, we take great pride in preserving the traditions of our long brewing heritage, creating quality products using the finest locally sourced ingredients – so it’s wonderful to have our efforts recognised with this special honour.”