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Shepherd Neame's beers achieve triple success, winning awards at three top flight competitions

Posted: 21st August 2025

Britain’s oldest brewer, Shepherd Neame’s beers have been recognised with medals at three prestigious competitions.

In this year’s World Beer Awards, results for which were announced on Thursday, August 14, four of the brewer’s beers were recognised.

1698 (6.5%) and Whitstable Pale Ale (4%) received gold medals and were named the England Country Winners for their styles - English-style Pale Ale and Bitters over 5.5% respectively.

Two other beers also achieved medals: Singha (4.8%) received a silver, and India Pale Ale (6.1%) a bronze.  

The same day, four Shepherd Neame beers received medals in the International Beer Challenge (IBC).

Silver medals were awarded to Kentish strong ales 1698 (6.5%) and Bishops Finger (5.2%), while bronze medals were awarded for Whitstable Bay Pale Ale (4%) and India Pale Ale (6.1%).

The IBC awards aim to reward and celebrate the very best beers from around the globe, with entries coming in from some 40 countries.

These accolades come hot on the heels of success for the brewer’s range at this year’s national drinks industry awards from the British Bottlers’ Institute (BBI), which were announced the week before.

Two received gold awards for taste - 1698 (6.5%) and Spitfire Amber Ale (4.2%), topping the Ale 6.0-7.4% and 4.0-4.4% categories.

India Pale Ale (6.1%) was awarded a silver medal in the IPA 5.5-7.4% category, while two others received Diplomas – Singha (4.8%), the original Thai beer, which the Faversham-based brewer began importing in 2019 before brewing under license for the UK market in 2022, while Whitstable Bay Pale Ale (4%) received a Diploma for its fresh new eye-catching packaging design which was officially unveiled last month.

Shepherd Neame Director of Brewing Mike Unsworth said: “This is an outstanding result and a testament to our team’s passion and knowledge, and our commitment to quality and innovation. We are delighted to receive such fantastic accolades, showing that year on year our beers are world class. 

“Congratulations to everyone around our business for making our beers award-winning.”

For more information about Shepherd Neame’s award-winning range of beers visit www.shepherdneame.co.uk/beer.