Victory over the Hop Gardens of Kent

For four fateful months during the glorious summer of 1940, the skies over Kent witnessed an epic air battle without parallel in the history of warfare.

Today the Battle of Britain is remembered for various things: the skill, bravery and sacrifice of the RAF pilots – and the incomparable Spitfire.

The RAF's first Spitfires were powered by Rolls–Royce Merlin engines giving them a top speed of 362 mph, a range of 395 miles and a ceiling of 31,900 feet.

When the Battle of Britain began in the skies over the hop gardens of Kent on 10th July 1940, only 200 Spitfires were in service. But when the Luftwaffe's challenge was finally repulsed four months later, 628 Spitfires and their young pilots had made their inestimable contribution to the most significant British victory of the Second World War.

No other aircraft captured the imagination of the beleaguered British people more than R.J. Mitchell's masterpiece, which has flown into history as a legend!

To honour the legend, Shepherd Neame's Spitfire Premium Bitter was first brewed to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain in 1990 and raise money for the RAF Benevolent Fund.

And four years later, when victory was announced in the Brewing Industry International Awards – the Oscars of the brewing industry - it was Spitfire, now one of Britain's fastest–growing premium ales, which won the Gold Medal and the title The Best Strong Cask–Conditioned Beer in the World.

Shepherd Neame, Britain's oldest brewer, situated at Faversham in the heart of Kent's hop gardens, is now the sole guardians of the county's unparalleled brewing tradition.

Using only pure spring water from their own artesian well combined with other natural ingredients such as best quality English malt and the finest Kentish hops, Shepherd Neame brew a range of traditional beers that are unsurpassed for quality and taste.

Spitfire Premium Kentish Ale epitomises these beers.