The steam engines

Shepherd Neame was an early adopter of steam technology when we purchased a ‘sun and planet’ steam engine from Boulton & Watt in 1789. Records suggest that the brewery was the first outside London to have one of Boulton & Watt’s machines installed, and the three-horse-power device was used for grinding and pumping jobs previously performed by horses.

More steam engines were acquired over the years and two of them survive in our steam room today on-site. They are both maintained in full working order and are run about once a month, and on special occasions.

Proud of the adoption of steam technology, the company modelled itself as the Faversham Steam Brewery in advertisements for many years, and was still very much a steam brewery as recently as 1945. This moniker of ‘Faversham Steam Brewer’ was affectionately revived for early packaging designs of our contemporary Whitstable Bay range of beers.

Next stop, The Old Brewery Store.