Kent brewery slammed for "cashing in" on Sussex tradition
A Kent brewery has been accused of cashing in on a Sussex tradition after it announced it would be brewing a beer especially for the Jack in the Green Festival.
Shepherd Neame, which is based in Faversham, announced this week its brewing team had created a new ale which will be sold in pubs across Hastings during the May bank holiday weekend.
The 4.1 per cent Jack in the Green Special, which is described as pale and golden with a clean, fruity taste, is brewed with Maris Otter pale ale malt, sun-dried golden oats and gently kilned caramalt.
It also features pure Sussex honey from Paynes Southdown Bee Farm as a key ingredient.
However, it is the origins of the brewery and not the ingredients which have raised eyebrows here in 1066 Country.
A number of local real ale fans have voiced their displeasure at the fact a non-Sussex company is producing a beer to mark what is considered a quintessentially Sussex celebration.
And, one of the key players in this year's celebration has spoken out against what he sees as an intrusion into the popular festival.
The Old Town resident, who wishes to remain nameless, is one of the bogies - a group of costumed locals who escort the Jack (a large dancing bush) through the streets of Hastings on its way to Hastings Castle.
Once there, the Jack is slain, and the spirit of summer released.
The proud Sussexman said: "This is a Kent brewery cashing in on a Sussex tradition. What has honey got to do with the festivities anyway?
"Shepherd Neame is not a popular choice with most of us. We would prefer to be drinking Harveys Sussex Bitter.
"If this brewery is so keen on tradition why has it ripped out lots of beautiful painted pub signs in the Old Town and replaced them with boring, corporate signs which have the same image but in black and white?
"I for one won't be drinking it."
A spokesman for Shepherd Neame denied it was an attempt to profit from the festival, which has taken place every year since it was revived by local traditionalists in 1980.
In fact, the source said the brewery was only planning on producing a dozen or so barrels and made similar special edition ales for other festivals throughout England.
However, the spokesman did confirm the beer would be sold in the Royal Standard, in East Beach Street; The Stag, in All Saints Street and the Hastings Arms, the Anchor and Ye Old Pump House, all in George Street.
Whether anyone buys it is clearly another matter.
Will you be boycotting the Jack in the Green Special? Do you think it matters which county the beer is brewed in or is it all a storm in a pint glass? Leave your comments below.
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Weather for Hastings
Monday 28 May 2012
Today
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Temperature: 12 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 22 mph
Wind direction: South west
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Light rain
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