1698
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Tasting Notes
The aroma opens with rich toffee, dried fruit, and a hint of woody spice from the whole hops used in the brewing process. On the palate expect pronounced malt character — caramel, biscuit, dark fruit — with a resinous, earthy hop bitterness that holds its own without dominating. The body is full and rounded, with a warming quality that reflects the 6.5% ABV. The finish is long and moderately dry, with lingering nutty and fruity notes.
About the Brewery
Shepherd Neame operates out of Faversham in Kent, England, and holds a credible claim to being Britain's oldest brewery, with continuous brewing on the site traceable to at least 1698 — which gives this beer its name. They draw on Kentish hop gardens and local water, and are closely associated with traditional cask ale production. Their lineup spans everyday bitters like Spitfire through to heritage and bottle-conditioned formats.
Food Pairings
A wedge of well-aged cheddar or a nutty Comté works well because the malt sweetness mirrors the cheese's caramel undertones. Roast beef with root vegetables is a natural match, as the beer's dark fruit and bitterness cut through the richness of the meat. A game pie or braised venison suits the earthy, spiced character of the hops. For something simpler, a ploughman's with pickled onion lets the beer's biscuit malt do the heavy lifting.
Style Guide
English Strong Ale is a broad category covering malt-forward, higher-alcohol ales brewed in the British tradition, typically ranging from around 5.5% to 7.5% ABV. These beers lean on crystal and pale malts for their backbone, producing caramel, toffee, and dried fruit flavors, with earthy or resinous English hop character providing balance rather than bitterness. They share DNA with old ales and barleywines but sit between them — more drinkable than a barleywine, more complex and warming than a standard bitter or best. The style has deep roots in British brewing history, originally brewed for keeping or for occasions demanding something more substantial than everyday session ale.