FREE PINT: Have you seen the new look for Shepherd Neame’s First Drop Session IPA?
OFFER: Find out about the newly rebranded beer and even sign up for a FREE PINT to try it out
We caught up with some key members of the independent family brewers’ team - Rupert Hodgkins, Scott Wilkins and Danielle Whelan – over a pint of First Drop to find out more about this newly rebranded beer.
WE’RE CURIOUS, WHAT GOES INTO THIS BEER TO MAKE IT SO TASTY?
SW: We’ve combined four different hop varieties in First Drop - UK Challenger and Jester hops, as well as US hops, Mosaic and Amarillo - which give it the tropical fruit notes and powerful aroma.
RH: This is all supported with the finest English pale malt, rounding out that flavour profile.
DW: And of course, it’s called First Drop as the first ‘drop’ out of the Small Batch brewery!
INTERESTING. CAN YOU WALK US THROUGH WHAT THE BEER SHOULD LOOK, TASTE AND SMELL LIKE?
RH: Sure! Holding my pint up to the light, you can see it’s a lovely golden colour with good head retention. First Drop is unfiltered, so you won’t get perfect clarity. For me, it has a deliciously intense citrus peel or zesty aroma which really comes through in the taste.
SW: I get that punchy, fruity hop with notes of mango and passionfruit, as well as a full-bodied, sweet aftertaste.
DW: For sure, it reminds me of a juicy, American-style beer with a British twist!
IF THIS BEER HAD A PERSONALITY, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
DW: It’s got to be a Californian skater who has moved to the East Coast of the US, where there’s a bit more rain. They’re hip and cool, but not too in your face.
RH: So, a sunshine beer without the sunshine.
DW: Yes!
SW: I get a vivid image of a Small Batch brewer like Rupert!
RH: Very good. I think First Drop is the friend that you meet in the pub who is super relaxed, a good listener, and helps improve your mood. They’re easy going, they give great advice, and every problem can be solved over a pint!
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST DROP?
DW: As you might expect, being from the US, mine was quite a typical American first beer: Pabst Blue Ribbon (PBR) at a dollar a can from my local pub.
RH: Interesting! Mine was a stubby bottle of Biere D’Or – it’s an ale that looks a lot like a lager and was very drinkable.
SW: See, I took a slightly different route. About a year before I became a brewer, I went to France and Belgium to learn how to love and drink beer. I went straight in with the Belgian Tripels and Quadrupels!
WHERE CAN WE FIND A PINT OF FIRST DROP?
DW: It’s available across our Managed pubs (Click here for participating pubs) and selected tenanted and free-trade businesses across Kent, London and the South East.
SIGN UP HERE FOR A FREE PINT!
Don’t just take our word for it, try a pint for yourself!
Shepherd Neame is offering ‘cene readers a free pint of First Drop
CLICK THE BUTTON BELOW, SIGN UP… and we’ll do the rest:
INSTA: @shepherdneame
INFO: shepherdneame.co.uk
