Shepherd Neame The Faversham Steam Brewery - Whitstable Bay Pale Ale

Tasting Summary

These comments are the opinion of the individual reviewer and represent what they thought of the beer on a particular day in a particular pub. If a review is less favourable, it may be because the beer suffered somewhere in the supply chain between them and the brewery.

Bucks Head, Goddens Green, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Wittenden		24 May 2025	Pale for the non beer drinker.Good condition.
Wittenden		17 Nov 2018
Wittenden		07 Jul 2018	OK, but not helped by the great heat.
Wittenden		19 May 2018	Probably my default Sheps' beer now.
Wittenden		24 Feb 2018	Toffeeish pale ale.

The George & Dragon, Fordwich, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisatSturry	Not Tried	11 Nov 2024
Magnus Greel		18 Jul 2023	Ditto my comments for the Spirit Of Kent. Exchanged for 3 halves of rip off Neck Oil which I deemed not even worthy of noting.
Andrew	Not Tried	10 Mar 2018
Jack William	Not Tried	22 Oct 2017
Magnus Greel	Not Tried	03 Oct 2017
Jack William	Not Tried	10 May 2017
Andrew	Not Tried	22 Apr 2017

Old Neptune, Whitstable, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Hogan Sampling		07 Sep 2024	Came with a fine head and lacing. Sweet, malty mouthfeel with a good hoppy aftertaste and certainly ready for it after my walk from the Tankerton Arms.
Jack William		13 May 2015
ChrisE	Not Tried	29 Jan 2014

The Bear Inn, Faversham, Kent

The Crown, Blackheath, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	28 Apr 2024
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	11 Jan 2023
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	20 Feb 2022
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	24 Jan 2020
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	11 Jan 2020
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	14 Dec 2019
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	29 Nov 2019
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	16 Nov 2019	The 2 pump clips no longer carry the Faversham Steam Brewery "sobriquet", indeed no brewing provenance at all - how odd
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	06 Nov 2019
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	02 Nov 2019
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	26 Oct 2019
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	06 Apr 2018
Philip Pirrip		01 Mar 2018	Not right, toffee flavour and loss of the lovely hop nose from the last one I had here. Replaced from same pump by the Guv, marginally better perhaps
Philip Pirrip		24 Feb 2018	Classic mid brown English bitter, seemed quite a match to the Shep's bitter of old with its floral hop nose
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	31 Dec 2016
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	29 Sep 2015
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	15 Sep 2015
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	16 Jun 2015
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	12 Mar 2014	2 of the 5 pumps used here to dispense this beer which hides its Shepherd Neame provenance

The Ship, Herne Bay, Kent

The Black Lion, Lynsted, Kent

Claret & Ale (formerly Claret Free House), Addiscombe, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	17 Jan 2024
Philip Pirrip		24 Nov 2023	Only a half but passed muster as good. An uninspiring brand however
Philip Pirrip		24 Aug 2022	Condition good but not a whiff of the floral hop nose it probably ought to have

The Chequers Inn, Doddington, Kent

Parrot, Canterbury, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew	Not Tried	02 Dec 2023
ChrisE	Not Tried	08 Sep 2020
Andrew	Not Tried	03 Jul 2018
ChrisE	Not Tried	01 Jul 2017
Andrew	Not Tried	26 Feb 2016
Andrew		19 Feb 2016
Jack William	Not Tried	13 Dec 2014
ChrisE	Not Tried	10 Nov 2014
Andrew	Not Tried	04 Oct 2014

The Albion, Faversham, Kent

Prince of Wales, Hoath, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew		22 Feb 2023

Fitzwalter Arms, Goodnestone, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William	Not Tried	08 Jan 2023
Wittenden		22 Feb 2015	Fused, with sweeter notes predominating.
Wittenden		23 Feb 2014	Initially pleasantly hoppy,but a metallic tang developed.

Old City Bar (formerly The Old City), Canterbury, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William		13 Nov 2022	Bland. Pint topped up ok when asked.
Andrew	Not Tried	20 Sep 2016

The Crown Inn, Finglesham, Kent

The Millers Arms, Canterbury, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William		05 Aug 2022
Magnus Greel		02 Oct 2020	Our first pint was undrinkable so with good grace a fresh cask was put on and worth the short wait.
Andrew	Not Tried	28 May 2019
Jack William	Not Tried	16 Jul 2018
Andrew	Not Tried	19 Jun 2018
Jack William		02 Jan 2018
Jack William	Not Tried	27 Dec 2014

The Gate Inn, Marshside, Kent

The Golden Lion, Broad Oak, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William		24 Mar 2022	Hobson’s choice. Surprised that there was no Masterbrew.

The Oak on the Green, Bearsted, Kent

Market House (formerly Earls), Maidstone, Kent

Cinque Ports, Rye, East Sussex

The Tudor Rose, Upper Upnor, Kent

The Royal Albion Hotel, Broadstairs, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE		15 Oct 2021	Well kept but not my favourite style of beer.
ChrisE	Not Tried	07 Jul 2021
ChrisE	Not Tried	10 Jan 2019
ChrisE	Not Tried	31 May 2016

Royal Naval Reserve, Whitstable, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Magnus Greel		09 Jul 2021

The Catherine Wheel, Newbury, Berkshire

The Dog Inn, Wingham, Kent

The Swan & Dog, Great Chart, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William		01 Jun 2021
ChrisE	Not Tried	25 Aug 2020
ChrisE	Not Tried	11 Aug 2017
Magnus Greel		14 Jul 2017	Crisp refreshing with a dry finish. Nice.

White Hart, Canterbury, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William	Not Tried	19 May 2021
Jack William		22 Dec 2019	Fresh and in good nick.
Andrew	Not Tried	07 Jun 2014

Dog & Bear Hotel, Lenham, Kent

Lord Nelson, Dover, Kent

The Vine Inn, Tenterden, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE	Not Tried	06 Aug 2020
ChrisE	Not Tried	16 Jan 2020
ChrisE		23 Oct 2019
ChrisE	Not Tried	26 May 2019
ChrisE	Not Tried	27 Aug 2018
ChrisE	Not Tried	14 Jul 2018
Magnus Greel	Not Tried	08 Feb 2017
ChrisE	Not Tried	15 Dec 2016
ChrisE	Not Tried	19 Nov 2015
ChrisE	Not Tried	20 Mar 2014
ChrisE	Not Tried	15 Jan 2014
ChrisE	Not Tried	18 Sep 2013
ChrisE		14 Jul 2013

Robin Hood & Little John, Bexleyheath, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	10 Mar 2020
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	20 Feb 2020
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	03 Dec 2019
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	29 Oct 2019
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	08 Oct 2019
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	24 Sep 2019
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	17 Sep 2019
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	10 Sep 2019
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	06 Sep 2019
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	11 Aug 2018
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	20 Jul 2018
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	10 May 2018
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	13 Jul 2017
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	13 Jun 2017
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	14 Apr 2017
Philip Pirrip		20 Jun 2014	One dimensional with metallic whiff

Kings Head, Shadoxhurst, Kent

The Restoration (formerly The Black Boy), Sevenoaks, Kent

The Jamaica Wine House, City, Central London

Old Doctor Butler's Head, City, Central London

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE		21 Nov 2019

The Ashburnham Arms, Greenwich, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	10 Nov 2019
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	15 Jul 2014	Not a single reference to Shepherd Neame on point of sale material
Edbeck		07 Jun 2014

The Royal Hotel, Deal, Kent

The Saracens Head, Deal, Kent

The George Staples, Blackfen, Greater London

Savoy Tap, Aldwych, Central London

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE		21 Sep 2019
ChrisE	Not Tried	18 Sep 2019
ChrisE		04 Sep 2019	In very good condition.
ChrisE		08 Jan 2019	In tip top condition, not my favourite beer but I could not fault this.

Bonny Cravat, Woodchurch, Kent

King Henry VIII, Hever, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Stephen Harris		11 Jun 2019	As good as this beer gets.

The Bell, Ingatestone, Essex

Who	Score	When	Notes
Wittenden		30 Mar 2019	Unthreatening.
Wittenden		16 Nov 2013	Fine but dull. Dry finish.

The Mackland Arms, Rainham, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Tobes		09 Mar 2019
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	14 May 2014

Neptunes Hall, Broadstairs, Kent

The Market Inn, Sandwich, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE	Not Tried	09 Nov 2018
Jack William		26 Sep 2018	Very nice condition.
Dosser	Not Tried	25 Jul 2015
Vacuous	Not Tried	21 Feb 2015
Stephen Harris		08 Jun 2014	Very much a Shepherd Neame taste, and none of the crispness or flavour I enjoyed in a pint of the same elsewhere a couple of weeks ago.

The Minnis Bay Bar & Brasserie, Minnis Bay, Kent

Good Samaritan, Whitechapel, Greater London

The Kings Head, Deal, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew	Not Tried	07 Oct 2018
Jack William		02 Apr 2015

The Wilton Arms, Belgravia, Central London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		11 Sep 2018	Couldn't quite diagnose what was wrong with this. All I got was caramel smell and taste not the usual floral hoppiness. Pleased to drink up and leave the premises
Stephen Harris		05 Nov 2014	Slightly more mellow than a pint of this drank earlier this-evening.

Old Eden Inn, Edenbridge, Kent

The Limes (formerly Chimney Boy), Faversham, Kent

Railway Hotel, Faversham, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		16 Jun 2018	At £2.10 for a half, assume £4.20 pp, outrageous
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	06 Aug 2016
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	13 Jul 2016
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	16 Aug 2014
Philip Pirrip		23 Jul 2013	OK but very bland - no outstanding flavours. Why oh why does the clip at point of sale not state the brewing provenance as being Shepherd Neame - presumably to mislead the unwary?

The Botany Bay, Broadstairs, Kent

The Old Coach & Horses, Canterbury, Kent

The Kings Head, Wye, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Magnus Greel	Not Tried	22 Feb 2018
Magnus Greel		22 Feb 2018	Spot on condition most enjoyable.
ChrisE	Not Tried	06 Oct 2017
Jack William	Not Tried	03 Oct 2017
ChrisE	Not Tried	17 Aug 2016
Andrew	Not Tried	24 Dec 2015
Trevor		16 Feb 2015
ChrisE		05 Jun 2014	Very tasty and well kept pint.
HSB		05 Jun 2014	Tasted like Sheps of old.
Trevor		26 May 2014

New Flying Horse, Wye, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Magnus Greel	Not Tried	22 Feb 2018
ChrisE	Not Tried	06 Oct 2017
ChrisE	Not Tried	17 Aug 2016
Trevor	Not Tried	27 Jul 2016
Trevor	Not Tried	18 Jul 2016
Andrew	Not Tried	24 Dec 2015
Trevor	Not Tried	08 Jul 2015
Andrew	Not Tried	04 Jul 2015
Trevor	Not Tried	20 May 2015
Trevor		02 Apr 2015
Trevor	Not Tried	11 Mar 2015
Andrew	Not Tried	27 Dec 2014
Trevor	Not Tried	18 Nov 2014
Trevor	Not Tried	16 Nov 2014
Trevor	Not Tried	05 Sep 2014	2 pumps
Trevor	Not Tried	06 Aug 2014	2 pumps
ChrisE	Not Tried	05 Jun 2014
HSB	Not Tried	05 Jun 2014
Trevor		21 May 2014	Some citrus flavour came through. There were 2 pumps of this.
Andrew	Not Tried	24 Dec 2013
Trevor		23 Oct 2013	Full bodied ale with a hint of citrus.
Trevor		05 Sep 2013	Refreshing taste.

The Farmhouse, West Malling, Kent

The Flying Horse, Smarden, Kent

The Royal Oak, Mersham, Kent

East India Arms, City, Central London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Stephen Harris	Not Tried	02 Jan 2018
HSB	Not Tried	03 Dec 2015
Stephen Harris		01 Oct 2013	The first impression is of the usual SN yeast taste, which I do not greatly like, but once over that hurdle I found this to be a nicely balanced beer.

The Bull, Woolwich, Greater London

The Stag Inn, Hastings, East Sussex

The George Hotel, Cranbrook, Kent

The Frog & Toad, Gillingham, Kent

The John Wallis (formerly Man of Kent), Ashford, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE		27 Oct 2017

Prince of Wales, Herne Bay, Kent

The George, Soho, Central London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Brian		20 Oct 2017	Verging on the tasteless - the other usual suspects were available too.

Royal Victoria Pavilion, Ramsgate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Dosser		27 Sep 2017	Boss gave me a sample of the £3.90 key keg version which was nice. But not worth £3.90

The Swan, Maidstone, Kent

The Bull Inn, Bethersden, Kent

The Grapes, Gravesend, Kent

Joiners Arms, West Malling, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		15 Apr 2017	Flat, lifeless, unpalatable, down quickly and out

Ye Olde Beverlie, Canterbury, Kent

Conningbrook Hotel, Ashford, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE	Not Tried	13 Feb 2017
Trevor		07 Oct 2015
Trevor	Not Tried	23 Sep 2015
Trevor		07 Apr 2015
ChrisE	Not Tried	11 Feb 2015
Magnus Greel		11 Feb 2015	Bland enough for my taste buds not to detect any flavour with this one

White Horse & Bower, Westminster, Central London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Stephen Harris		17 Jan 2017	This beer can taste better than this.

The Royal Oak, Dartford, Kent

The New Belgium Bar (formerly Belgian Cafe), Ramsgate, Kent

Bell Hotel, Sandwich, Kent

The Hop Pole, Wandsworth, Greater London

The Seaview, Birchington-on-Sea, Kent

The Mermaid Inn, Bishopsbourne, Kent

Tom Cribb, Leicester Square, Central London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Stephen Harris		29 Sep 2016	Tasted very ordinary and malty after two strong IPAs drunk in the previous pub.

The Rugby Tavern, Bloomsbury, Central London

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE		24 Sep 2016
Stephen Harris		22 Aug 2016	A fruity, amber beer with a little bit of citrus.

The Duke of York, Borough, Central London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Stephen Harris		21 Sep 2016	Good condition really enhances this beer. Golden, with subtle citrus hop flavours and quite bitter.

Rose & Crown, Southwark, Central London

Bloomsbury Tavern, Bloomsbury, Central London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Stephen Harris		05 Sep 2016	Whatever I had thought might be commendable in this beer didn’t seem to be present tonight.

Four Fathoms, Herne Bay, Kent

Cherry Tree, Canterbury, Kent

Anchor Inn, Hastings, East Sussex

Who	Score	When	Notes
Stephen Harris		03 Jul 2016	An easy-drinking, pale beer.
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	20 May 2014

The Crown Inn, Sarre, Kent

George Hotel, Youlgreave (or Youlgrave), Derbyshire

Westminster Arms, Westminster, Central London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Stephen Harris		18 Mar 2016	Quite a refreshing drop.

The Northern Belle, Margate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Dosser		27 Nov 2015	Surprisingly refreshing.
beery steve		15 Aug 2013	Although the beer was in good condition, it lacked any body so didn't inspire me to have another.

The Zetland Arms, Kingsdown, Kent

White Horse Inn, Hawkinge, Kent

Red Lion Inn, Bridge, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew	Not Tried	16 Aug 2015
Jack William		03 Dec 2014	Perfect condition. Probably now my favourite Shep's ale.
Andrew		24 Aug 2014	Very good condition
Jack William	Not Tried	18 Aug 2014

The Royal, Tankerton, Kent

The Belle Vue, Ramsgate, Kent

Horse & Groom, Ramsgate, Kent

The Rose Inn, Wickhambreaux, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew		18 Jul 2015	Lovely Turkish delight flavours with a Sheps Master Brew finish

The Duke William, Ickham, Kent

Pilgrims Hotel, Canterbury, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William		14 Jul 2015	In very good condition - and I nearly got a full half.

The Spanish Galleon, Greenwich, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Stephen Harris		09 Jul 2015	A funny old pint. Sweetly malty and with a very soft mouthfeel. Bordering on ‘poor’.
Magnus Greel		08 Apr 2015
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	19 Oct 2013

The Cat & Custard Pot, Paddlesworth, Kent

The Fountain of Ale, Sittingbourne, Kent

The Dragoon, Maidstone, Kent

Mabel's Tavern, Euston, Central London

Grove Ferry Inn, Grove Ferry, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew		08 Mar 2015	Gravity. Condition okay. Shep's beers do seem to taste better on gravity I find.
Jack William		20 Aug 2014	Flat

Singleton Barn, Ashford, Kent

The Shakespeare, Canterbury, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William	Not Tried	21 Feb 2015
Andrew		13 Mar 2014	Good condition session Sheps beer
Andrew	Not Tried	15 Nov 2013

The Marine Hotel, Tankerton, Kent

The White Hart, Claygate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
thebrewingman		30 Jan 2015

The Print House (formerly William Caxton), Tenterden, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
thebrewingman		16 Jan 2015	A tad bland.

The Cricketers, Canterbury, Kent

The White Swan, Aldgate, Central London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Stephen Harris		08 Dec 2014	I find this the most palatable of the regular Sheps beers.
Stephen Harris		12 Jun 2014	A crisp, tasty pint. Why is this beer so variable? Or is it the pubs where I drink it that are variable?

Duke of Wellington, Belgravia, Central London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Stephen Harris		27 Nov 2014	Not quite on top form here – this beer does seem to me to be a bit variable.

Fishermans Arms, Maidstone, Kent

Magpie & Crown, Brentford, Greater London

Horse & Groom, Belgravia, Central London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Stephen Harris		05 Nov 2014	Pale and almost crisp (I usually think of SN beers as being ‘soft’). In very good condition.

The Wheatsheaf, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire

Who	Score	When	Notes
Nick Willis		03 Nov 2014
Nick Willis	Not Tried	30 Oct 2014

Puttshack Bank (formerly The Green Man), City, Central London

The Monument, Canterbury, Kent

Hooden Smokehouse & Cellar (formerly Hooden on the Hill), Willesborough, Kent

Kitty Fisher, Benenden, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
thebrewingman		05 Sep 2014
thebrewingman	Not Tried	17 Jun 2014
Wittenden	Not Tried	12 Apr 2014
Jack William	Not Tried	06 Apr 2014

The Three Horseshoes, Hernhill, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William		23 Aug 2014	tip top condition

Hoop & Grapes, Farringdon, Central London

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE	Not Tried	11 Aug 2014
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	11 Aug 2014
ChrisE		10 Mar 2014	In very good condition.

The Queens Head, Boughton, Kent

Timber Batts @ The Compasses (formerly The Compasses Inn), Sole Street, Crundale, Kent

Cock & Woolpack, City, Central London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Stephen Harris		27 May 2014	Golden. A predominately malty taste I thought.

The Brickmaker's Arms, Maidstone, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Tobes		24 May 2014
Pedro	Not Tried	02 Aug 2013

Kingswood Golf & Country Club, Kingswood, Surrey

Who	Score	When	Notes
Tobes		11 Apr 2014	Very cloudy, looked in very bad condition but tasted ok.

The Griffins Head, Chillenden, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Brian		04 Apr 2014	Really nice, fresh, clean beer. Nothing too remarkable about it, but really nice nevertheless.

The White Hart, Newenden, Kent

The Black Friar, Blackfriars, Central London

The Brenchley, Maidstone, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE		29 Nov 2013

Ye Olde Thirsty Pig, Maidstone, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Tobes	Not Tried	15 Nov 2013
Pedro	Not Tried	28 Jul 2013
Pedro		27 Jul 2013

The Duke (of York), Bloomsbury, Central London

Brown Bear, Whitechapel, Greater London

White Horse, Trowse, Norfolk

Who	Score	When	Notes
HSB		03 Sep 2013	Another beer con. No mention of its true origins on the pump clip.

Walnut Tree Inn, Aldington, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew		29 Aug 2013

The Plough Inn, Lewson Street, Kent

The Globe Inn, Hythe, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE		15 Aug 2013