Popular Shepherd Neame seasonal cask ales Late Red and Hop Pocket are returning, and their pumpclips are sporting new designs.
Late Red (4.5% ABV), a crimson-copper ale, typically available from September to November, blends pale ale malt and gently kilned crystal malt with UK Cascade and Goldings hops, resulting in a balance between rich, dark malt flavours, and a citrussy hop finish.
It’s triple-hopped to enhance its taste and aroma — twice in the brewhouse with Goldings and Cascade, before being dry-hopped with Cascade — to produce a complex and full-flavoured beer with hints of toffee, tropical fruit, and a peppery finish.
Hop Pocket is a green hop ale brewed specially to coincide with the Faversham Hop Festival, a two-day celebration of Kent’s hop-picking heritage, with live music and family entertainment.
Packed with freshly-picked Kentish hops from Parsonage Farm in Boughton-Under-Blean, just a few miles from the brewery, this fragrant golden ale boasts a unique flavour.
“We are excited to bring back two of our popular seasonal ales,” said Rose Davies, Shepherd Neame’s head of brands. “Late Red has been a firm favourite for many years, and we hope customers will enjoy this special ruby ale as autumn approaches.
“We are also blessed to be in the heart of England’s hop county here in Kent, so it’s a fantastic opportunity to make the most of our local farms and produce Hop Pocket, a green ale that goes from garden to brewhouse in less than half a day.”
Both ales are now available in selected Shepherd Neame pubs across Kent, London, and the South East.
