Kent has a long history of brewing with its most notable contribution being the cultivation of hops, particularly milder aromatic hops. Archaeologists have discovered that hops were most likely introduced to Britain by the Romans, with evidence of hops being found in the Graveney Boat (Seasalter, Kent) dated to around AD 900. The use of hops in brewing likely died out – although they may have continued to be used by religious order associated with the continent there is currently scant evidence of this and there was unlikely to be widespread use as most people seemed to prefer unhopped ale. The use of hops was later reintroduced when Flemish weavers began importing their native beer in the 15th century. Hops were then used to extend the life of beer, although the flavour was at first unpopular. Gradually, however, hopped beer began replacing unhopped English ale, which had previously been flavoured using spices and herbs (such as wormwood).
Tradition says that the first English hop garden was established at Westbere near Canterbury in 1520. Kent’s soil, mild weather, established enclosed field system, good supply of wood and affluent farmers provided the right conditions for hop growing to flourish. By the 17th century, hopped beer (rather than unhopped ale) became the established drink and after 1655 hop cultivation grew rapidly. As an important hop growing centre, brewing quickly became one of Kent’s major industries.
Like many other counties, Kent suffered a decline in regional brewing in the 20th century, experiencing the closure or acquisition of many smaller breweries, with larger brewing concerns moving production out of the county. Since the Millenium there has been a resurgence of brewing in Kent, with many new commercial breweries, and microbreweries (micropubs) focusing on locally-sourced produce.
Kent’s brewing scene is best divided between East and West Kent, which roughly corresponds to the CAMRA area.
West Kent breweries
Brew Buddies (Swanley Village)
Brumaison (Marden)
Cellar Head Brewing (Flimwell)
Constellation (Tonbridge)
Dartford Wobbler (South Darenth)
Fonthill (Tunbridge Wells)
Goacher’s (Tovil)
The Hildenborough Brewery (Hildenborough)
Iron Pier (Northfleet)
Larkins Brewery (Chiddingstone)
Musket (Linton)
Nelson (Chatham)
No Frills Joe (Greenhithe)
The Oak Brewery (Sevenoaks)
Old Dairy Brewery (Tenterden)
Pig & Porter (Royal Tunbridge Wells)
Running Man (Chatham)
Stag (Woodchurch)
The Swan (West Peckham)
Tonbridge Brewery (East Peckham)
Westerham (Westerham)
Whitstable Brewery (Grafty Green)
East Kent breweries
The Amazing Brewery (Sandgate)
The Brewery of Angels and Demons (Capel-le-Ferne)
Boutilliers (Faversham)
Breakwater Brewery (Dover)
Canterbury Ales (Chartham)
Canterbury Brewers (Canterbury)
Curious Brewery (Ashford)
Farriers Arms (Mersham)
Floc Brewing (Margate)
Four Candles (St Peters)
Goody Ales (Herne)
Headcorn Hop (Ashford)
Hinks Craft Brewery (Ruckinge)
Hop Fuzz (West Hythe)
Hopdaemon Brewery Company (Newnham)
Isla Vale Alesmiths (Margate)
Mad Cat Brewery (Faversham)
Northdown (Margate)
Ramsgate/Gadd’s (Ramsgate)
Romney Marsh (New Romney)
Shepherd Neame (Faversham)
Shivering Sands (Manston)
Time & Tide (Deal)
The Tir Dha Ghlas Brewing Company (Dover)
Wantsum (St Nicholas At Wade)
XYLO (Margate)