Gregg Wallace to sample Shepherd Neame Beer as part of a brand new Podcast Series with Southeastern

The first episode of Hop On Board, which offers listeners a whistlestop tour of some of the best places to explore on the Southeastern rail network, brought Gregg, who lives in Tenterden, to the Brewery at the heart of the historic market town of Faversham.

Gregg, best known for presenting BBC’s MasterChef, spoke to Shepherd Neame’s Managing Director, Pubs, Jonathon Swaine, about the history of Britain’s oldest brewer, its award-winning tours which attract thousands of visitors each year, and, of course, its beers.

He said: “There is something about local British beers. I drink your beer (Shepherd Neame) – I’m a fan of it, I don’t mind admitting!”

He was also given some pointers on pouring the perfect pint behind the bar in the brewery’s Visitor Centre in Court Street by Director of Brewing, Mike Unsworth.

Gregg then hopped on the train and headed to his former home town of Whitstable, where he admired Shepherd Neame’s historic Duke of Cumberland pub, and rounded off his visit at The Old Neptune, Shepherd Neame’s iconic seafront site.

Describing The Old Neptune, he said: “It is right on the beach – so right on the beach in fact, it is almost lopsided.

“There are live bands at the weekends and people spill out and drink on the beach… It is happy and it is buzzing.”

For the episode, Gregg also visited Macknade’s Food Hall in Faversham, Whitstable Oyster Company and The Goods Shed in Canterbury.

A further three podcasts in the series with Southeastern will launch later this Spring.

Listen now, wherever you get your podcasts, visit: https://www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/hoponboard

To find out more about Shepherd Neame’s brewery tours, go to: https://www.shepherdneame.co.uk/visitor-centre/brewery-tours